Pronunciation: long and short

vowels
Introduction
Welcome to Pronunciation Live25!
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• Practise on mute
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Lead-in

Can you say this?

“He took a dip in the deep

sea. He says it keeps him fit.”

Bonus: Which words have long

vowels, which ones have short
vowels?
Form Make this sound “eeeeeee” /i:/
1. Think about your lips or watch your teacher’s lips.
What shape are they?

a. Round b. Long

/i:/
2. Think about your tongue. Is it at the front or the back of your
mouth?
a. Front b. Back

3. Is your mouth open, half-open or closed?

a. Open b. Half-open c. Closed
English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
Form Make this sound “ih” /ɪ/
1. Think about your lips or watch your teacher’s lips.
What shape are they?

a. Round b. Middle c. Long

/ɪ/
2. Think about your tongue. Is it at the front, in the middle, or
at the back of your mouth?
a. Front b. Middle c. Back

3. Is your mouth open, half-open, or closed?

a. Open b. Half-open c. Closed
English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
Practice
Your lips, tongue, and mouth are really important when you make vowel
sounds. Feel your face as you make the sounds.

Long /i:/ Short /ɪ/

Think about your
sheep ship mouth.

beat bit What is the main

difference
feet fit between these
he’s his sounds?

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Examples

What word am I saying?

1. a. he’s b. his
2. a. sit b. seat
3. a. is b. ease

Now I am going to say a word on mute. Look at the shape of my

mouth. Write what word you think I am saying in the chat.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

Form Make this sound “aaaaaaah” /a:/
1. Think about your lips or watch your teacher’s lips.
What shape are they?

a. Round b. Middle c. Long

/a:/
2. Think about your tongue. Is it at the front, in the middle, or
at the back of your mouth?
a. Front b. Middle c. Back

3. Is your mouth open or closed?

a. Open b. Closed
English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
Form Make this sound “ah” /æ/
1. Think about your lips or watch your teacher’s.
What shape are they?

a. Round b. Middle c. Long

/æ/
2. Think about your tongue. Is it at the front, in the middle, or
at the back of your mouth?
a. Front b. Middle c. Back

3. Is your mouth open or closed?

a. Open b. Closed
English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
Practice
Your lips, tongue, and mouth are really important when you make vowel
sounds.

Long /a:/ Short /æ/

Think about your
mouth.
heart hat
park pack What is the main
difference
barn ban between these
arm am sounds?

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

Examples

What word am I saying?

1. a. arm b. am
2. a. back b. bark
3. a. art b. at

Now I am going to say a word on mute. Look at the shape of my

mouth. Write what word you think I am saying in the chat.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

Form Make this sound “oooooh” /u:/
1. Think about your lips or watch your teacher’s lips.
What shape are they?

a. Round b. Long

/u:/
2. Think about your tongue. Is it at the front or the back of your
mouth?
a. Front b. Back

3. Is your mouth open, half open or closed?

a. Open b. Half open c. Closed
English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
Form Make this sound “uh” /ʊ/
1. Think about your lips or watch your teacher’s lips.
What shape are they?

a. Round b. Middle c. Long

/ʊ/
2. Think about your tongue. Is it at the front, in the middle or at
the back of your mouth?
a. Front b. Middle c. Back

3. Is your mouth open, half open or closed?

a. Open b. Half open c. Closed
English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
Practice
Your lips, tongue, and mouth are really important when you make vowel
sounds.

Long /u:/ Short /ʊ/

What are your
pool pull lips, tongue, and
mouth doing
too good when you make
who could these sounds?

school book

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

Examples

What word am I saying?

1. a. pool b. pull
2. a. fool b. full
3. a. foot b. food

Now I am going to say a word on mute. Look at the shape of my

mouth. Write what word you think I am saying in the chat.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

Key point
If you know what your mouth is doing, it will help you with your pronunciation.

Long vowels Short vowels

/a:/ aaaah - car /æ/ ah - cat

/i:/ eeee - seat /ɪ/ ih - sit
/u:/ oooo - you /ʊ/ uh - book

Pronunciation tip:
There are more long and short vowels in English. Listen for them in
your live classes. When you learn a new word, note whether it has long
vowel sounds or short vowel sounds.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

Pronunciation Checkout
Which words have a LONG vowel sound and which words
have a SHORT vowel sound?

1. who
2. it
3. card
4. eat
5. put
6. mad

Bonus point if you can name the sound!

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
Pronunciation Checkout - Answers
Which words have a LONG vowel sound and which words
have a SHORT vowel sound?

1. Who Long /u:/

2. It Short /ɪ/
3. card Long /a:/
4. eat Long /i:/
5. Put Short /ʊ/
6. Mad Short /æ/

Bonus point if you can name the sound!

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
What’s next?
Thank you for attending this pronunciation presentation.
Now you’re ready for…

Elementary

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/oromo/features/the-sounds-of-english/longvowel1

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org