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The Sounds of English

Three short lessons on English as sounds, not letters: about 44 sounds from 26 letters, pairs of words that differ by one sound, and why spelling stopped matching speech.

For grown-ups, from what PhonemeForge teaches children at Spark & Anvil.

  1. Lesson 1More sounds than letters
  2. Lesson 2Minimal pairs
  3. Lesson 3Why spelling drifted
At the table · two or more people

Count the sounds

You'll need: paper and a pencil.

  1. Each person writes five words.
  2. Swap lists and count the sounds in each word, not the letters.
  3. Compare counts and say the words slowly together to settle disagreements.
  4. Find one minimal pair between your two lists.

Print the guidebook (all lessons + the table activity) →