In general, the process of learning to read depends a) on age and b) on the level of existing knowledge. But what level is it? We just want to learn to read, don't we? It turns out that you need to start from the "zero mark". Someone once proved that the older a person is, the less ability he has to acquire new knowledge. But experience in communication mother tongue adults have more. It is useful in order to compare the pronunciation of letters in Russian and in English.
More "experienced" citizens have the opportunity to study with a self-instruction manual, but it is still recommended to hire a teacher who will observe the development of your reading and pronunciation abilities. And the mentor in this process is simply shown to the children.
Simple and clear
If the whole theory of learning to read in English is folded into an elementary procedure, it will only have 5 main points.
- We get to know our native language in early childhood. We begin immediately with words whose meanings we understand from the connection with the objects called by these words. Then we put them into sentences. But, remember, how did your conscious mastering of the Russian language begin? - From the alphabet, right, well done! So in English, first you need to put together graphic image letters and their pronunciation.
- Learn to record sounds in English using transcription. This method, though "old-fashioned", but effective. Many modern language schools they have already departed from it, motivating them by the fact that they teach to listen to sounds and compare them with letters. We insist that a person should "see" the sound, and not just hear it. To master transcription means to be able to read a word, no matter what features it possesses. Indeed, in addition to the rules, there are often exceptions. So if you have any doubts about how to read a word, you can always check its transcription in the dictionary.
- Do not betray English words "Russian spelling". There is an opinion that "it's easier to remember this way" if you write down a word from the English language with symbols that we understand (a cat - e cat). It's easier to remember, of course. But, firstly, it hurts the eyes and ears, and, secondly, our goal is not just to remember, but to understand how to learn to read in English ("in English" - keyword).
The English have a proverb that they say "Liverpool" and write "Manchester". This means that English contains a lot of sounds that you will not find in Russian. Therefore, if we replace sound units that are difficult for a Russian person with simpler ones, we run the risk of memorizing the word incorrectly and, it turns out, not fulfilling main goal the process of learning to read. So train complex sounds. Master them - it will be easier further.
- Remember the basic rules of reading. Scare you, right? - There are only 6 vowels in English. Not scary? But each of them has 4 reading options, plus some " special cases". This is not to mention diphthongs and even triphthongs !!! - Weren't you afraid? And rightly so. We "painted" this "feature", in fact, difficulties can be avoided by grouping words with the same combinations letters and, consequently, sounds. This will help to work out the reading rule immediately on a whole series of words that will go into your initial vocabulary.
Tongue twisters can also be to your advantage. Most of them are built on the principle of using the same sound combination in several words. Moreover, the effect of "rhyme" is often created, which further simplifies the assimilation of these words. And the fact that they are fast talkers is not important. At the stage of practicing sounds and reading rules, it is precisely what you need to pronounce them slowly, with understanding and attention to articulation. You can always pick up the pace.
- Try to support the text with sound accompaniment. This is another secret of how to learn to read English from scratch. Children at school often complete "reading for grade" assignments. They look at the textbook, where words are written that work out a certain reading rule. The teacher says these words, and the children repeat. So students draw an analogy between how a word is written and how it is pronounced. Adults can resort to the help of, say, audio books that exactly repeat their text version. You can even start with children's works, which use the most simple words, and the rate of speech of the reader is low. Over time it will be possible to take more serious texts belonging to the "golden fund" of English literature.
You ask "How can we master all this"? What about the teacher who works with you? However, if you did not attract him, you can do it on your own. It is enough to purchase an audio course for beginners or find it on the Internet. The convenience of the latter method is that the lessons can be downloaded to your mobile phone, tablet or just in the player and listen on the way from one point to another. But it is better, we repeat, to deal with an experienced teacher who will be able to tell where and what is wrong with you, and even correct these flaws.
Too good is too bad
Each of us, of course, strives to show himself with the most better side. We think we'll go to London or New York, Washington, or some other place where native English is spoken, and we'll be admired there. Yes, only the trouble is that such a thing as "native" to the English language has not been used for a long time. Everywhere possible, native speakers have come up with their own pronunciation standards. The speech you hear on some CD or in an audiobook can be much different from the one that will pour from the lips of a foreigner who you come across on the street, and you will have to get used to it for some time.
In general, while mastering the basics of reading and pronunciation, try not to overdo it. As the lines from the notorious work of Bernard Shaw "Pygmalion" say, you do not need to strive for perfection, because if you achieve it, then there is a risk of being misunderstood by the British or Americans themselves. People in different parts of these countries speak differently. Therefore, you should not try to reach the ideal, but you just need to know how to read English correctly so that your pronunciation is "good".
English is one of the most widely spoken and demanded languages in the world. Before starting the training, it is worth noting that "English", unlike German, has "pitfalls" that you can stumble upon when reading texts. English has specific rules regarding the reading of certain combinations of letters. They should be remembered, because without the correct pronunciation, even with the knowledge of a large number of words, a person will not be able to communicate with a native speaker.
Training
Before you learn to read in English, you will have to master special gymnastics for the language. Then it will be easier to pronounce sounds foreign alphabet. You also need to create the right atmosphere. There should be nothing distracting around the student, it is better to put the phone aside, and turn off the TV and radio. The study room should be tidy and well lit. The fact is that foreign objects and the amount of light in the room affect the learning abilities of the individual. And if you ventilate the apartment before class, then it will be even easier to concentrate on work.
Before the lesson begins, it is necessary to draw up a small plan that reflects the topics that will be worked on. Otherwise, the result will be low, since the student will unnecessarily linger on each subsection. Yes, and with a plan it is more convenient to track the progress of language acquisition.
The most important rules
The most important difference between English and Russian is that the reading of a particular letter (or group of letters) will be influenced by their environment. It is important to consider this before memorizing the rules of pronunciation.
The basis of correct reading in English is the ability to distinguish between 2 types of syllables.
- Open - after the consonant there is a vowel (for example: take). In this case, the vowel sound is read as it stands in the alphabet, and the consonant - depending on the environment.
- Closed - when there is no sound at all after the vowel or another consonant comes (for example: cut). In this case, the vowel has a different pronunciation, and the consonant also depends on the adjacent letters.
Step by step learning plan from scratch
Let us consider in more detail all the points of studying the rules for reading consonants and vowels, starting from the basics.
Like Russian, English has vowels and consonants. Each letter has a specific pronunciation. It occurs in words with open syllables.
| Letter | Pronunciation | Word example |
|---|---|---|
| A a | [hey] | Name - [name] |
| Bb | [b] | But - [bat] |
| c c | [k] or [s] (before "e") | Cup - [cap] or Ice - [ice], since "c" comes before "e") |
| D d | [e] | Dog - [dog] |
| e e | [and] | Me - [mi] |
| F f | [f] | Fox - [fox] |
| G g | [j] | Go - [go] |
| H h | [x] breathlessly | Hot - [hot] (the sound is read on the exhale, not as rude as in Russian) |
| I i | [ah] | Like - [like] |
| Jj | [j"] | Juice - [juice] (the sound is pronounced softly) |
| Kk | [k] breathlessly | Key - [ki] (the sound is pronounced on the exhale, much quieter than in the native language) |
| l l | [l] | Like - [like] |
| M m | [m] | My - [May] |
| N n | [n] | Nest - [nest] |
| O o | long [o] | Box - [boxing] (a long "o" with rounded lips at the end of the sound, it almost sounds like a smooth [oh]). |
| Pp | [n] breathlessly | Pen - [pen] (the consonant seems to fly out with a stream of air, it is not pronounced as loudly as in Russian) |
| Q q | [to"] | Qwerty - [Qwerty] |
| R r | [p] "American" | Rocket - [rocket] |
| S s | [s] or [s] at the end of a word | Sun - [san] Rose - [rose] |
| T t | [t] | tip - [type] |
| U u | ["Yu] | Tune - [tune] (before [u] is usually pronounced additional [th], as if it is in front of separator sign, resembles the pronunciation of the word "blizzard"). |
| Vv | [in] | Violin - [vaylin] |
| W w | [in] | Wolf - [wolf] |
| X x | [ks] | Box - [boxing] |
| Y y | [and] | My - [May] |
| Zz | [h] | Zebra - [zebra] |
But not in every case the reading corresponds to what is presented in this table. Let's take a closer look.
Consonants in English in most cases are read as in the presented table. There are a number of letters that, in a certain position, will represent certain sound.
| Combination | How to pronounce | Usage example |
|---|---|---|
| age | [age] in a striking position or [ij] in an unstressed position | Hage - [page], Language - [landwidge] |
| au or aw | [o] long or [o] | Austria - [oustraliya], Law - [lo] |
| er | In a stressed position, it is pronounced like [e], in an unstressed position - like [e] | Detter - [bete], Her - [hye] |
| gh | Not pronounced at all | Night - [night] |
| Ssion, sion, cial, sion | [shl] | Special - [special], Mission - [mission], Position - [position], Version - [top]. |
| wa |
| Want - [won], Wake - [wake] |
| wh | [X] | Who - [hu] |
| ck | [to] | Black [black] |
| kn | [n] | Know [know] |
| sh | [w] | She [shi] |
| ch, tch | [h] | Catch [[catch], Champagne [champion] |
| th | Something between [s] and [f] | Think [fink] or [sink] |
| ph | [f] | Photo [photo] |
Vowels are more difficult. For each position and for different environments, there are certain rules reading vowels. There are 6 vowels in English. Let's analyze each.
| Letter | Pronunciation options | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | [hey] - in an open syllable | Lake - [lake] |
| [e] - in a closed syllable (called a frog, because the mouth opens like a frog) | Map - [map] | |
| [a] short - in a closed syllable that ends in r | Car - [ka] | |
| [o] - in combination with "ll" and "u" | Tall - [thol] | |
| O | [ow] - in an open syllable | Home - [home] |
| [o] short - in a closed syllable | Boss - [boss] | |
| [o] - in combination with "r" | Horse - [hos] | |
| [y] - in combination "oo" | Food - [food] | |
| [au] - in combination with "w" | Now - [now] | |
| [oh] - in combination with "y" | Boy - [fight] | |
| U | [yu] - in an open syllable | Blue - [blue] |
| [ʌ] - in a closed syllable | Cup - [cap] | |
| [ё] - in combination with "r" | Hurt - [hye] | |
| E | [and] long - in an open syllable, as well as in combinations with "e" and "a" | He - [hee], meet - [mit] |
| [e] - in a closed syllable | Leaf - [bodice] | |
| [ё] - in combination with "r" | Her - [hye] | |
| I | [ai] - in an open syllable | Fine - [fine] |
| [and] - in a closed syllable | Big - [big] | |
| [ё] - in combination with "r" | Girl - [girl] | |
| Y | [ay] - at the end of a word | Cry - [edge] |
| [e] - at the beginning of a word | Yellow - [yelow] |
In order not to memorize the pronunciation of each word, you need to learn how sounds in a certain position are recorded in transcription. Then, with further study, it will be possible to look into the dictionary without any problems and find out the correct pronunciation.
Video lesson
Which authors' manuals to use
Ideally, of course, it is better to buy foreign literature publishers like Cambridge or Oxford. Russian authors can be used, but with caution. Most often in domestic textbooks a lot of mistakes. Do not use Soviet manuals, because there a large number of inaccuracies in pronunciation.
Hello friends.
I think each of you - whether you are a parent or a teacher - understands that the rules for reading English for children differ from the rules for adults, but not in content, but in terms of the volume and presentation of the material.
Preschoolers or children school age who are just starting to learn English, you need to give such information in very portions, accompanying all this with vivid pictures, video and audio materials. Of course, you should immediately give memorable examples and, if possible, reinforce everything with exercises. Then this topic will be easy and even interesting for a young student.
On this page you will find very colorful and useful tables with the basic vowels of the English language. ().
In the first table you can see the basic vowels and how to read them.
In the second table - the most common combinations of vowels in words and also how to read them.
And in the third and fourth - examples of sentences with words containing the mentioned letters and combinations.
How to work with them?
- To begin with, explain to the child that each vowel letter in English can be read differently and using the 1st table, look at the examples and read them together (you can also study if it is not clear to the child).
- Then talk about the fact that in English there are vowels that often stand next to each other, and in this case they will sound together in their own way. On the examples from the 2nd table, you will see this and read it together.
- In the third and fourth tables, you and your child can read whole sentences, each of which has several words with the same vowel sounds (they are underlined). Before each sentence example, a transcription icon with the sound being practiced is highlighted in red. Read it first, and then the entire sentence.
To make it easier for you, I recorded audio for these materials. Listen and practice.
Letters and sounds
Commentary on table 1: If you notice, every vowel in English can be read in two ways: either as we read it in the alphabet, or in a different way. So, usually in alphabetical order, letters "a, e, i, o, u" read in words that end with a letter "e" or consisting of more than one syllable . But in short monosyllabic words ending in a consonant, they are read differently. This must be remembered! Reading a letter "y" in two ways you also need to remember - but here the logic is different - in short words where she stands at last place, we read it alphabetically (to be precise, almost alphabetically), and in long ones - in a different way.
Regularly reread with your children examples of short monosyllabic and longer English words with vowels - then their reading rules will be “recorded” in the child’s memory, and subsequently he will be able to find out by analogy the way in which the letter will be read. You will find a lot of similar practice in my .
Sentence examples
I hope you liked it!
By the way, oh important rules when teaching a child correct reading I wrote in English - there you will also find some practice with voiced material.
How to learn to read in English (M. Kaufman) This is a very interesting book for kids. What is very remarkable, in parallel with learning to read, there is an acquaintance with anglophone culture. This awakens the interest and curiosity of the child in the language ... And interest, as you know, is already 50% of success! If not more...
If you have any questions, write and ask them in the comments - I will be happy to help.
Annotation to the book:
The book will help to bring into the system and consolidate the rules for reading vowels, consonants and letter combinations. The manual can serve as a supplement to any textbook for primary school and be used both in the classroom and for independent work Houses.
The book gives rules for reading vowels, consonants and letter combinations. You can work out the rules sequentially, or you can use this book as reference guide as difficulties arise in the study of a particular rule.
A small child is well developed long-term memory. Everything he taught is remembered for a long time. Therefore, you should use the advantages of children's memory to remember the rules of reading. In order for the child to quickly cope with unusual rules, words are offered, most of which correspond to the age of the students, as well as entertaining tongue twisters and funny poems, some of which are recommended to be learned by heart.
Color signaling is used to reinforce reading rules.
Download for free the book "English: Learning to read correctly: for junior schoolchildren» in PDF format:
Download for free the book "English: Learning to read correctly: for younger students" in DJVU format:
Others you can find in the section of the same name in our club of parents.
All books are stored on our "Yandex.Disk" and the presence of a fee for downloading them, as well as viruses and other nasty things, is completely excluded.
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Annotation to the book: The manual is intended for teaching reading to children who begin to learn English. It can be used by secondary school students...
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Vowels in English are divided into monophthong, diphthong or triphthong. These are sounds that consist of 1, 2, 3 parts. Vowels are also divided into short and long sounding. They are designated like this: [i:], [ɔ:].
They are also divided into articulatory. So vowels are front-lingual, middle-lingual, back-lingual, closed, open, semi-open. Accordingly, their names speak directly about the position of the lips and tongue during pronunciation.
For example, anterior- sounds are formed through the front of the tongue, etc.
Transcription icons and their pronunciation
Pronunciation of all vowels
It is possible to understand the following examples:
[i:] - the sound is similar to our "and" in the word "hurry", etc. Pronounced confidently and for a long time.
[ i ] - the sound is similar to our "and" in the word "at". It's short, not drawn out.
[ei] - the sound is similar to our "e" in the word "tin". Pronounced for a long time.
[æ] - a sound similar to the previous one. It is also pronounced for a long time, but with a mouth that is wide open.
[a:] - the sound is similar to our "a" in the word "beam" in the first case.
[ ɔ ] - the sound is similar to our "o" in the word "difficult". Pronounced briefly.
[ɔ:] - the sound is similar to our "o" in the word "school". Pronounced with a wide open mouth.
[ u ] - the sound is similar to our "u" in the word "ear". Pronounced briefly.
[u:] - a sound similar to the previous one. In the word "rooster" you can see exactly how it is pronounced.
[Λ] - the sound is similar to our "o" and "a" in the words "your", "gardens". Always stands in words with an accent.
[ ə ] - the sound is similar to our "ё" and "o" together in the word "iodine".
[iə] - the sound is similar to our "and" and "e", sounding together.
[ ai ] - the sound is similar to our "ai".
[ aiə ] - the sound is similar to our "ai", pronounced for a long time.
Consonants in English
Subdivided:
- on bowed and slit;
- on the lips, teeth;
- anterior lingual, middle lingual, posterior lingual.
Also, consonants are voiced and deaf.
The last deaf consonants are characterized by powerful articulation, a significant decrease in articulation is characteristic of a sonorous consonant.
The consonant sounds of the English language are pronounced more actively than the corresponding sounds of the Russian language. Most of one of them is pronounced with aspiration (aspiration process).
Basic types of vowel reading
- All vowels are read as they are usually read in the alphabet. Examples: stake, state, cake.
- All vowels are short. You can read about short sounds above.. Examples: tree, me, be.
- All vowels are long. You can read about long sounds above. Examples: my, style, why.
- All vowels can be doubled in pronunciation. Examples: tune, Tuesday, music.
Basic rules for reading in English
Reading vowels
Most sounds can be found in six vowels. These are the main rules English reading. So, depending on the location, combination with other letters and stress, the reading of vowels in a particular word depends.
Consider the rules for reading vowels in combination with other letters, stress and location.
The vowel "A" is divided into sounds:
- [ei] - the words pan, flat. The sound is read here through our letter "e";
- [ æ ] — the word take. Our sound "e" is read here in short form.
- [a:] - the word far. Our sound “a” is read here in short form.
The vowel "E" is divided into sounds:
- [i] - words meat. The sound "and" is read briefly.
- [e] - the word met. It reads like a short "e".
- [ ə ] — word very. It reads like a long "e".
- [iə] - words here, near. A long "and" and "a" are read together
The vowel I is subdivided into sounds:
- [ai], [i], [ə] in the corresponding words mine, in, stir, fire
The vowel O is subdivided into sounds:
- , [O], , [ə], in the corresponding words refuse, but, fur, lure.
The vowel Y is subdivided into sounds:
- , [i], [ ə: ], in the corresponding words type, gym, myrtle, tire.
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Reading consonants in English
Features of reading some consonants
There are features in reading the four consonants:
- "c" (=k=ck) [k],
- "qu",
- "j"
- "X" .
All these sounds have several reading options depending on the location and combination with other letters.
- The consonant "s" is read as our "k" sound and as our "s". In normal cases, "s" should be read as "k", but if they stand after the consonant "e", "i", "y", then "s" is read like the Russian "s" in the words "sit".
For example, the words ice, cinema, cycle are read this way.
- The consonant "g" is usually read as our "ji" sound or as a "g" sound. It is usually customary to read the sound "g", but if they stand after the consonant "e", "i", "y", then "g" is read as "ji".
For example, the words age, gigantic, fridge, inginear are read this way. Special cases of pronunciation are remembered when learning the alphabet.
- The consonant with the double form "s" is read as our sound "ks" after "e", "i", "y". But it should be remembered that the doubled form in consonants is not readable, only one letter is read.
- The consonant "s" is read as our sound "s" and as the sound "z" depending on the voice. Vowels give voice.
In addition to these consonant features, others do not.
All other sixteen are read as spelled out.
- Consonant B reads like our "b". Examples: big, better, bet, biten, brother.
- The consonant D is read like our "d". Examples: door, ded, dog, middle, red.
- Consonant F reads like our "f". Examples: foot, friend, false.
- The consonant G is read as our "g". Examples: get, egg, giggle, google, gazer.
- Consonant H reads like our "x". Examples: him, help, hill, hot.
- The consonant K is read like our "k". Examples: kiss, desk, kitten, kitchen.
- Consonant L reads like our "l". Examples: live, leave, loosen, lost, little.
- The consonant M is read like our "m." Examples: milk, moon, simple, from.
- Consonant N reads like our "n". Examples: note, not, near, nonsense, on.
- The consonant P is read like our "p". Examples: put, plump, pop, stop.
- Consonant R reads like our "r". Examples: rest, roof, berry, bread, rock.
- The consonant S is read like our "s". Examples: sit, west, miss, stress, soul.
- Consonant T reads like our "t". Examples: ten, title, test, true, tree.
- The consonant V is read as our "in". Examples: very, seven, give, vivid.
- Consonant W reads like our "in". Examples: well, twelve, swim, winter.
- The consonant Z is read like our "z". Examples: zip, drizzle, fiz, zigzag, zoom.
Silent consonants
Fundamental rules.
- In the letters “g”, “k”, you should not read “n” at the beginning and at the end of the word.
Examples: gnat, foreign, knee, knaif, campaign.
- In the letters "b", "n" should not be read after the "m" at the end of the word.
Examples: bomb, autumn, thumb, column.
- The letter “p” should not be read in combinations “pn”, “ps”.
Examples: pneumatic, psychology.
- Do not read the letter "w" before "r".
Examples: wrap, wrong.
To learn English, namely to be able to apply it in life, and in addition to achieve such a speech that will be understandable to foreigners, you need to know how to pronounce a particular word.
To achieve this level of English, you need to use:
- Books and manuals for learning English. But not those that say "English in three days" or "English in a few months", because, of course, it is impossible to learn and be able to apply the language in life for such short term
- Audio and video for learning English. More listening English speech and music can be quickly achieved desired result even for a short period of time. In addition, pronunciation will improve and foreigners will treat a person as if they are talking to a person from the same country.
- Teacher or tutor. It is desirable that the person has studied abroad or has been abroad for several years.
- foreigners. Experience in correct pronunciation and reading is acquired directly with practice.
