Lesson 02: Short Vowel Sounds (Interactive)
Introduction to Short Vowels
Welcome! Clear pronunciation is important, especially when discussing technical details like plan numbers or product specs. Today, we focus on short vowel sounds.
English has five vowels: A, E, I, O, U. Short vowel sounds are quick and clear, like a short tap.
Think of them like this (click the speaker to hear):
- A as in cat or apple
- E as in bed or egg
- I as in sit or igloo
- O as in hot or octopus
- U as in sun or umbrella
Click 'Next' to practice with relevant examples.
Workplace Vowel Sound Examples
Let's practice these sounds using words common in our workplace. Click the speaker icon to hear each word.
| Short Vowel | Sound Like... | Workplace Examples |
|---|---|---|
A |
cat | transformer plant manager analysis |
E |
bed | test weld assembly send |
I |
sit | winding ship inspect fix |
O |
hot | copper coil product box |
U |
sun | flux customer production business |
Minimal Pair Practice
"Minimal pairs" sound almost the same. Listen carefully to the vowel difference. Click to hear each word.
| Pair | Word 1 | Word 2 |
|---|---|---|
| A / E | bad (adj: not good) | bed (noun: for sleep) |
| I / E | pin (noun: small sharp metal) | pen (noun: for writing) |
| A / U | ran (verb: past of run) | run (verb: to move fast) |
| O / U | cop (noun: police) | cup (noun: for drink) |
| I / A | sit (verb: rest on chair) | sat (verb: past of sit) |
| I / A | fin (noun: part of fish) | fan (noun: moves air) |
Try saying these pairs aloud yourself!
Lesson Complete!
Great job practicing short vowel sounds! Remember:
- Short vowels are quick and clear sounds.
- Listen carefully for the difference in minimal pairs.
- Practice using these sounds in work-related words.
You can go back using the 'Previous' button or return to the main lessons page.
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