Phonic pronunciation of diphthongs: e.g. /ai/, /ei/ etc Phonics English Studies Primary 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 6

Subject: English Studies
Topic: Phonic Pronunciation of Diphthongs
Duration: 45 minutes
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Sub-topic: Introduction to Diphthongs
Previous Lesson: Vowel Sounds

Learning Objectives:

1. To introduce students to the concept of diphthongs.
2. To help students identify and pronounce diphthongs, specifically /ai/ and /ei/.
3. To improve students’ phonetic skills in English.

Embedded Core Skills:

1. Phonics
2. Pronunciation
3. Listening Comprehension
4. Speaking

Learning Materials:

1. Whiteboard and markers
2. Flashcards with words containing /ai/ and /ei/
3. Pronunciation guide
4. Pictures representing diphthongs
5. Exercise sheets

Content :

Diphthongs are combinations of two vowel sounds within the same syllable. Here are the phonic pronunciations of some common diphthongs:

1. /ai/ – This diphthong is pronounced like the “a” in “cake” or “day.”

2. /ei/ – This diphthong is pronounced like the “ay” in “they” or “grey.”

3. /oi/ – This diphthong is pronounced like the “oy” in “boy” or “enjoy.”

4. /au/ – This diphthong is pronounced like the “ow” in “cow” or “now.”

5. /ou/ – This diphthong is pronounced like the “ow” in “how” or “out.”

These are just a few examples of diphthongs in English. Remember that diphthongs are single syllables, and their pronunciation involves a glide or shift from one vowel sound to another within that syllable. Practice saying words that contain these diphthongs to improve your pronunciation.

10 more examples of diphthongs in English along with their phonic pronunciations:

6. /ei/ – “play”
7. /au/ – “house”
8. /oi/ – “coin”
9. /ai/ – “night”
10. /ou/ – “cloud”
11. /ie/ – “pie”
12. /ee/ – “tree”
13. /ua/ – “quaint”
14. /eu/ – “feud”
15. /ia/ – “piano”

Diphthongs are special sounds we make in English when two vowel sounds come together in one syllable. Let’s learn some:

1. /ai/ sounds like “a” in “rain,” or “ai” in “sail.”
2. /ei/ sounds like “ay” in “play,” or “ai” in “wait.”

Remember, diphthongs are when we smoothly blend two vowel sounds in one word. Practice these sounds with words like “rain” and “play” to get better!

10 key points on the topic of “Phonic Pronunciation of Diphthongs”:

1. Definition: Diphthongs are special vowel sounds formed by smoothly blending two vowel sounds within a single syllable.
2. Examples: Common examples of diphthongs include /ai/ (as in “rain”) and /ei/ (as in “play”).
3. Smooth Transition: When pronouncing diphthongs, there is a smooth transition or glide from one vowel sound to another within the same syllable.
4. Single Syllable: Diphthongs always occur within one syllable of a word, making them distinct from two separate vowel sounds in different syllables.
5. Importance: Learning diphthongs is crucial for correct pronunciation and understanding of English words.
6. Phonics: Diphthongs are an essential part of phonics, helping learners read and pronounce words accurately.
7. Phonetic Symbols: Diphthongs are often represented using phonetic symbols like /ai/ and /ei/ to guide pronunciation.
8. Common Diphthongs: Besides /ai/ and /ei/, other common diphthongs include /oi/, /au/, and /ou/ (as in “coin,” “house,” and “cloud,” respectively).
9. Practice: Practicing words containing diphthongs helps improve pronunciation skills and reading fluency.
10. Listening Comprehension: Recognizing diphthongs also aids in listening comprehension, allowing learners to understand spoken English more effectively.

These key points provide a foundational understanding of diphthongs and their significance in English language learning.

Presentation:

Step 1 – Introduction (5 minutes):

• Begin by reviewing the previous lesson on vowel sounds.
• Explain that today, we’ll learn about diphthongs, which are special vowel sounds.
• Write the term “Diphthong” on the board and ask if anyone knows what it means.

Step 2 – Explanation (10 minutes):

• Define diphthongs as sounds made by blending two vowel sounds in one syllable.
• Present examples: /ai/ as in “rain” and /ei/ as in “play.”
• Use visual aids like flashcards and pictures to illustrate these diphthongs.
• Practice pronouncing these examples together as a class.

Step 3 – Practice (20 minutes):

• Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
• Distribute exercise sheets with words containing /ai/ and /ei/.
• Instruct students to read and pronounce the words correctly with their partners.
• Walk around the class to assist and listen to their pronunciation.
• Conduct a group activity where students take turns saying words with /ai/ or /ei/, and others identify the diphthong sound.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain the concept of diphthongs.
• Provide examples and visual aids.
• Monitor and assist students during practice.
• Facilitate group activities and discussions.

Learners’ Activities:

• Listen and participate in the lesson.
• Practice pronunciation with partners.
• Engage in group activities to identify diphthongs.

Evaluation (5 minutes):

• Ask individual students to pronounce words with /ai/ and /ei/ to assess their understanding.
• Use flashcards or pictures to test their recognition of diphthongs.
• Provide positive feedback and correct any errors.

1. Diphthongs are combinations of _____ vowel sounds within the same syllable.
a) two different
b) two consonant
c) two similar
d) three different

2. The diphthong /ai/ sounds like the “a” in _____.
a) cat
b) cake
c) can
d) car

3. In the word “play,” which diphthong is present?
a) /ae/
b) /ei/
c) /ou/
d) /oo/

4. The diphthong /ei/ sounds like the “ay” in _____.
a) stay
b) see
c) sun
d) sleep

5. What is a diphthong? It’s a combination of _____ in one syllable.
a) two consonants
b) two vowels
c) two numbers
d) two animals

6. The word “coin” contains the diphthong _____.
a) /ou/
b) /oi/
c) /ai/
d) /ee/

7. Which diphthong is found in the word “night”?
a) /oi/
b) /ai/
c) /ea/
d) /ou/

8. In the word “tree,” which diphthong can you hear?
a) /oo/
b) /ei/
c) /ua/
d) /oi/

9. The diphthong /ou/ sounds like the “ow” in _____.
a) now
b) never
c) new
d) night

10. What skill does learning about diphthongs help improve in English?
a) Spelling
b) Mathematics
c) Dancing
d) Cooking

11. When pronouncing diphthongs, we smoothly blend _____ vowel sounds.
a) two
b) three
c) four
d) five

12. Which diphthong is NOT correctly matched with an example?
a) /ai/ – “rain”
b) /ei/ – “play”
c) /ua/ – “quaint”
d) /ou/ – “how”

13. Identify the diphthong in the word “feud.”
a) /ai/
b) /ei/
c) /ou/
d) /ua/

14. In the word “piano,” which diphthong can be heard?
a) /oi/
b) /ai/
c) /ia/
d) /ea/

15. Learning about diphthongs helps us become better at _____.
a) cooking
b) reading
c) painting
d) swimming

Conclusion (5 minutes):

• Summarize the lesson by emphasizing the importance of knowing diphthongs in reading and speaking.
• Assign homework related to diphthong practice.
• Encourage students to continue identifying diphthongs in their daily reading