Practice the approximants, j, w, ɹ, and l
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| In this lesson, we'll learn the following sounds used in English: j, w, ɹ, and l. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to tell them apart PLUS you'll be practicing them and on your way to perfect pronunciation! |
| I'm Alisha, and this is English Pronunciation Through Minimal Pairs. |
| First is j. This is the j sound in "yes," "year," "music," and other words. |
| Next is w. This is the w sound in "when," "want," "away," and other words. |
| Next is ɹ. This is the r sound in "right," "wrist," "train," and other words. |
| The last is l. This is the l sound in "light," "believe," "well," and other words. |
| To make the j sound: the tongue begins in a relaxed position in the mouth. The lips are open slightly. The front of the tongue moves up slightly, and the throat opens as we release air from the throat. The jaw opens slightly as we make the sound. |
| j |
| (3 sec pause) |
| j (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| j |
| j |
| (3 sec pause) |
| j (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| j |
| To make the w sound: move the teeth apart and bring the lips into a tight O shape. The tongue moves to the back of the mouth as the sound is released, and the lips open. |
| w |
| (3 sec pause) |
| w (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| w |
| w |
| (3 sec pause) |
| w (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| w |
| To make the ɹ. sound: the teeth move apart very slightly, and the lips form a tight oval. Put the tip of the tongue behind the bottom teeth. The tongue moves back in the mouth as we release the sound and open the lips and jaw slightly. |
| ɹ |
| (3 sec pause) |
| ɹ (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| ɹ |
| ɹ |
| (3 sec pause) |
| ɹ (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| ɹ |
| To make the l sound: the teeth and lips move slightly apart. Put the tip of the tongue behind the top teeth. The tip of the tongue touches the back of the upper teeth. The tongue releases outward. |
| l |
| (3 sec pause) |
| l (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| l |
| l |
| (3 sec pause) |
| l (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| l |
| All four sounds are approximants, but ɹ and l are alveolar sounds, j is palatal, and w is labial-velar. |
| Listen to the difference and repeat after me. |
| j, w, ɹ, l |
| (3 sec pause) |
| j, w, ɹ, l (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| j, w, ɹ, l |
| j, w, ɹ, l |
| (3 sec pause) |
| j, w, ɹ, l (enunciated) |
| (3 sec pause) |
| j, w, ɹ, l |
| Listen and repeat or speak along with me. |
| Ready? |
| wet/yet |
| (space for repetition) |
| wet/yet |
| light/right |
| (space for repetition) |
| light/right |
| lake/wake |
| (space for repetition) |
| lake/wake |
| lose/use |
| (space for repetition) |
| lose/use |
| Let's review. Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then, repeat after me, focussing on pronunciation. |
| (Do you remember the alveolar sounds? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| ɹ, l |
| (1) |
| ɹ, l |
| And the palatal sound? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| j |
| (1) |
| j |
| And the labial-velar sound? |
| (3) |
| (2) |
| (1) |
| w |
| (1) |
| w |
| Let's practice. |
| Compare the sounds in these two words. Which word has the labial-velar sound and which has the palatal sound? |
| wet/yet |
| (1) |
| wet/yet |
| (1) |
| "Wet" has the labial-velar sound w, and "yet" has the palatal sound j. |
| Let's try one more. Which word has the alveolar sound l, that's pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the back of the upper teeth, and which has the alveolar sound ɹ, that's pronounced with the tip of the tongue behind the bottom teeth? |
| (1 sec pause) |
| light/right |
| "Light" has the l sound, and "right" has the ɹ sound. |
| Let's try another. Which word has the alveolar sound, and which has the labial-velar sound? |
| (1 sec pause) |
| lake/wake |
| "Wake" has the labial-velar sound w, and "lake" has the alveolar sound l. |
| Let's try one more. Which word has the alveolar sound, and which has the palatal sound? |
| (1 sec pause) |
| lose/use |
| "Lose" has the alveolar sound l, and "use" has the palatal sound j. |
| Now listen to this sentence. Which words have the palatal sound j and which have the labial-velar sound w? |
| (1 sec pause) |
| I wanted to know what kind of music I heard yesterday. |
| Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| I wanted to know what kind of music I heard yesterday. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Let's try one more. |
| (1 sec pause) |
| I used to go away every year when I was younger. |
| Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| I used to go away every year when I was younger. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Let's try another. Which words have the alveolar sound l and which have the alveolar sound ɹ? |
| (1 sec pause) |
| The bright light shone right. |
| Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| The bright light shone right. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| Let's try one more. |
| (1 sec pause) |
| He used the rake to clean up the leaves by the lake. |
| Now, try to read the sentence out loud, focusing on the different sounds. |
| He used the rake to clean up the leaves by the lake. |
| Here's a special resource just for you… |
| If you want to master these minimal pairs even faster… |
| Download our English Minimal Pairs Explained Companion eBook for FREE |
| This bonus eBook contains even more examples that are not in this video. |
| Just click the link in the comments section. |
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