Course Description

English is the international language of the modern world. In fact, there are more people learning it as a second language than there are native speakers.

For a non-English speaker, learning English can open the door to new horizons and many opportunities.
However, learning English—in particular, its spelling and pronunciation—can be extremely difficult. It’s even more so for a student of English as a Second Language (ESOL) who may be used to specific spelling and pronunciation rules in his own language and may be wondering, “What exactly are the rules for English?”
This course explores the main vocalic sounds in general use in American English.

The PhonicSense course series is designed for students who already have a basic knowledge of the English language but wish to improve their pronunciation.

Senior Instructor

Alvaro Alves-Milho

Author of "Enigmas of the English Alphabet"

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Definitions

    • Introduction

    • Basic Concepts

    • Definitions

    • The Alphabet

    • The Alphabet

    • The Alphabet

    • Video - The English Alphabet - Origins

    • Video

  • 2

    Fundamentals

    • Title

    • Vowels

    • Vowels

    • Five Vowels

    • Ancient Vowels

    • Consonants

    • Consonants

    • Syllable

    • Accent

    • Long Syllable

    • The Schwa

    • The Schwa

    • The Schwa

    • How Many Vowels?

    • How Many Vowels?
  • 3

    Evolution of English

    • Evolution of English

    • Old English

    • Middle English

    • Shakespearean English

    • The Great Vowel Shift

    • Efforts to Unify Rules

    • Modern English

    • Summary
  • 4

    Short Vowels

    • Basic Guide

    • Short Vowels

    • Short Vowels

    • Short A

    • Short A

    • Short A - Exercises

    • Short E

    • Short E

    • Short E - Exercises

    • Short I

    • Short I - Exercises

    • Short O

    • Short O - Exercises

    • Short U

    • Short U

    • Short U - Exercises
  • 5

    Long Vowels

    • Long Vowels

    • Long Vowels

    • Long Vowels

    • Long Ā

    • Long Ā

    • Long Ā - Exercises

    • Long Ē

    • Long Ē - Exercises

    • Long Ī

    • Long Ī - Exercises

    • Long Ō

    • Long Ō - Exercises

    • Long Ū

    • Long Ū - Exercises

    • Short A versus long Ā

    • Short E versus long Ē

    • Short I versus long Ī

    • Short O versus long Ō

    • Short U versus long Ū

    • Short I versus long Ē
  • 6

    Additional Vowel Sounds

    • Additional Vowel Sounds

    • Additional Vowel Sounds

    • Closed Å

    • Closed Å

    • Closed Ŏ

    • Open Ô

    • Open Ô

    • Open Û

    • Vowels pronounced as schwa: Ä, Ë, Ï, Ö, Ü
  • 7

    Pronunciation Exercises

    • Exercise Section 1

    • ex3

    • ex4

    • ex5

    • ex6

    • ex7

    • ex8

    • ex9

    • ex10

    • ex11

    • ex12

    • ex13

    • ex14

    • ex15

    • ex16

    • ex17

    • ex18

    • ex19

    • Exercise Section 2

    • S2-1a

    • S2-1b

    • S2-2a

    • S2-2b

    • S2-3a

    • S2-3b

    • S2-4a

    • S2-4b

    • S2-5a

    • S2-5b

    • S2-6a

    • S2-6b

    • S2-7a

    • S2-7b

    • Conclusion