Introduction to Diphthongs Speech Work English JSS 1 Second Term Lesson Notes Week 10

Lesson Note: Speech Work (English Grammar) – JSS 1, Second Term, Week 10


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Understanding Diphthongs in English Pronunciation

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Introduction to Diphthongs

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Speech Work: Introduction to Diphthongs (JSS 1 Second Term)

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introduction-to-diphthongs

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Learn about diphthongs and how they influence English pronunciation in this JSS 1 Speech Work lesson.


Lesson Plan

Subject: English Language
Class: Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1)
Term: Second Term
Week: 10
Age: 11–13 years
Topic: Speech Work
Sub-Topic: Introduction to Diphthongs
Duration: 40 minutes


Behavioral Objectives

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Define what diphthongs are in the context of English pronunciation.
  2. Identify diphthongs in spoken words.
  3. Distinguish between monophthongs and diphthongs.
  4. Pronounce words containing diphthongs correctly.

Keywords

  • Diphthongs
  • Pronunciation
  • Vowel sounds
  • Monophthongs

Set Induction

The teacher will ask the students if they have ever heard two vowel sounds in a single syllable and ask for examples, then introduce the concept of diphthongs.


Entry Behavior

Students should be familiar with basic vowel sounds and syllable structure.


Learning Resources and Materials

  1. Flashcards with examples of diphthongs.
  2. Phonetic chart showing diphthongs.
  3. Audio recordings of words with diphthongs for listening practice.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have already learned individual vowel sounds and are now building on this knowledge to understand more complex vowel combinations (diphthongs).


Embedded Core Skills

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Phonetic awareness

Content

What are Diphthongs?

  • A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another within the same syllable.
  • Diphthongs occur when the tongue moves from one vowel position to another within the same sound.

Examples of Common English Diphthongs

  1. /aɪ/ as in my, fly
  2. /eɪ/ as in say, day
  3. /ɔɪ/ as in boy, toy
  4. /aʊ/ as in how, now
  5. /əʊ/ as in go, no
  6. /ɪə/ as in ear, fear
  7. /eə/ as in air, share

Diphthongs vs. Monophthongs

  • Monophthongs are single, pure vowel sounds like /æ/ in cat and /ɪ/ in sit.
  • Diphthongs are combinations of two vowel sounds within one syllable, as seen in coin (/ɔɪ/).

How to Pronounce Diphthongs

  • Start with the first vowel sound, then glide into the second one. For example, in the diphthong /aɪ/ (as in my), begin with the /a/ sound and smoothly glide to the /ɪ/ sound.

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (Evaluation)

  1. A diphthong is a combination of two vowel sounds in a ____.
    a) single syllable
    b) double syllable
    c) consonant cluster
    d) consonant sound
    (Answer: a)
  2. The diphthong in boy is ____.
    a) /aɪ/
    b) /eɪ/
    c) /ɔɪ/
    d) /aʊ/
    (Answer: c)
  3. The vowel sound in say is the diphthong ____.
    a) /eɪ/
    b) /ɔɪ/
    c) /aʊ/
    d) /əʊ/
    (Answer: a)
  4. Which of the following words contains a diphthong?
    a) cat
    b) coin
    c) sit
    d) bed
    (Answer: b)
  5. The diphthong in now is ____.
    a) /eɪ/
    b) /ɔɪ/
    c) /aʊ/
    d) /ɪə/
    (Answer: c)
  6. The diphthong /aɪ/ can be heard in the word ____.
    a) fear
    b) my
    c) air
    d) go
    (Answer: b)
  7. Which diphthong is in the word air?
    a) /eɪ/
    b) /aɪ/
    c) /eə/
    d) /əʊ/
    (Answer: c)
  8. The diphthong in coin is ____.
    a) /aɪ/
    b) /eɪ/
    c) /ɔɪ/
    d) /aʊ/
    (Answer: c)
  9. The diphthong in how is ____.
    a) /aʊ/
    b) /əʊ/
    c) /ɪə/
    d) /aɪ/
    (Answer: a)
  10. The diphthong in go is ____.
    a) /ɔɪ/
    b) /eɪ/
    c) /əʊ/
    d) /aʊ/
    (Answer: c)

15 FAQs with Answers (Class Activity Discussion)

  1. What is a diphthong?
    A diphthong is a combination of two vowel sounds in the same syllable.
  2. How is a diphthong different from a monophthong?
    A diphthong involves two vowel sounds, while a monophthong involves only one vowel sound.
  3. Give an example of a word with the diphthong /aɪ/.
    My.
  4. How do you pronounce the diphthong /aɪ/?
    Start with the sound /a/ and glide to /ɪ/.
  5. What diphthong is in the word boy?
    /ɔɪ/.
  6. Which diphthong is in the word say?
    /eɪ/.
  7. Give an example of a word with the diphthong /aʊ/.
    Now.
  8. Which diphthong is in the word ear?
    /ɪə/.
  9. Why are diphthongs important in pronunciation?
    Diphthongs change the sound and meaning of words, so correct pronunciation is essential.
  10. How do you glide from one vowel sound to another in a diphthong?
    Begin with the first vowel sound, then smoothly transition into the second.
  11. What sound is in the word coin?
    /ɔɪ/.
  12. Is bed a diphthong word?
    No, it is a monophthong word.
  13. Give an example of a word with the diphthong /əʊ/.
    Go.
  14. How do you pronounce the diphthong /eɪ/?
    Start with the sound /e/ and glide to /ɪ/.
  15. Which diphthong is in the word bird?
    /ɜː/.

Presentation Steps

Step 1: Revision of Previous Topic

  • Recap previous lessons on individual vowel sounds and review their pronunciations.

Step 2: Introduction of New Topic

  • Introduce diphthongs and explain how they combine two vowel sounds. Provide examples.

Step 3: Student Contributions and Corrections

  • Ask students to pronounce words containing diphthongs and correct them where necessary.

Teacher’s Activities

  1. Explain what diphthongs are and how they differ from monophthongs.
  2. Provide clear examples and demonstrate the correct pronunciation.

Learners’ Activities

  1. Listen to the teacher’s explanation and examples.
  2. Practice pronouncing words containing diphthongs.
  3. Identify diphthongs in spoken and written words.

Assessment

Ask students to:

  1. Pronounce words with diphthongs correctly.
  2. Identify diphthongs in a list of words.

Conclusion

The teacher will review the concept of diphthongs and encourage students to practice pronouncing diphthongs in everyday speech for improved fluency.