Today in the Fun Easy English classroom you are going to
learn to pronounce the sound ea as in
the words friend,
head,
said,
tell. Remember "practice makes perfect" if
you want to improve your English speaking ability.
Hey
if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English
dictionary
(opens in a new window)
This is a VOICED sound which means Your Vocal Cords DO
vibrate when making this sound.
You CAN
LISTEN to your Vocal Cords vibrating if you cover
your ears with your hands.
Try covering your ears with your hands as Akiko is doing in
the picture.
Now make the sound of this lesson. Can you listen to your vocal cords vibrating?
VERY GOOD
You CAN
FEEL your Vocal Cords vibrating if
you place your hands on your neck.
Try placing your hands on your neck as Akiko is doing in the
picture.
Now make the sound of this lesson. Can you feel your vocal
cords vibrating?
VERY GOOD
The following diagram shows the most important parts of your
head and mouth used for pronouncing the sounds of English.
It also shows the location of your Vocal Cords.
Position: Mouth, lips,
and tongue
The following descriptions explain the proper mouth, lips,
and tongue position when you make this sound.
Mouth
Your
mouth should be relaxed.
Lips
Your lips should be unrounded.
Tongue
The front part of your tongue should be in the center part of your
mouth.
Practice video
Listen to the video and practice repeating each word.
Pronunciation practice words
Look at your mouth in a mirror and practice pronouncing
the following words. Make sure your mouth, lips, and
tongue are in their proper positions.
any
said
says
get
head
friend
many
tell
jealous
ten
pleasure
test
Note: the red letters all
have the same sound (watch the video above)
Test: Pronunciation word test
Choose the correct letter or
letters to complete each of the following words.
1.
_ny
2.
s_ _d
3.
s_ _s
4.
g_t
5.
h_ _d
6.
fr_ _nd
7.
t_ll
8.
t_n
9.
pl_ _sure
10.
t_st
Note: the letter
or letters needed to complete each word all have the
same sound.
From
YOUR Teacher:
Pronouncing This Sound
This sound is relatively easy to pronounce. Be sure to
practice the sounds in the video above until you are
perfect.
Additional Lessons
About These
Lessons
The following classroom lessons are great for students
who want additional conversation, listening, and reading
practice.
Conversation Lesson -
Beginner Level. Let's
Learn English conversation lesson
with a conversation video, a video script, audio
listening practice, video speaking practice, video
pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
Conversation Lesson
51 - A Good Habit
(Beginner -
Conversation, Listening, Reading)
In this lesson Anna has a new goal - to run in a
marathon. Her friend Ashley knows that training a little
every day is a good idea. Will Anna be able to meet her
goal?
Lesson Video
Watch the video and then do the activities on this page.
Video Script
Anna: D.C. is a popular city for marathons! A marathon is a long race. Many
marathons raise money for charity, you know - good works. A marathon is a good
fitness goal too. I want to challenge myself in a marathon and maybe win a
medal! Hey, there’s Ashley. Ashley! Wait for me! It’s Anna!
Anna: Ash … ley. Ash … ley.
Ashley: Are you okay, Anna?
Anna: I just ran … from over there.
Ashley: Do you want to sit down, Anna? Do you want some water? (Anna takes the
bottle and tries to return it.) No thanks. You keep it.
Anna: Thanks. I didn’t know you like to run.
Ashley: I love running. In fact, this weekend, I will run in my first marathon.
Anna: Me … too.
Ashley: Really? You are running in a marathon?
Anna: Yeah. In a couple of days. Why do you ask … like that?
Ashley: What do you know about running in a marathon?
Anna: I know that there’s a lot of running and sometimes you can win a medal.
Ashley: How long have you been training?
Anna: I started today. I’ve been training for an hour … no, an hour and seven
minutes!
Ashley: Anna, training a little every day is a good habit to get into. Not all
at once!
Anna: Thanks for the advice, Ashley. But I’m running in a special race.
Ashley: What marathon is it?
Anna: I don’t remember the name. But the website said everyone gets a medal.
Ashley: Okay, well, good luck, Anna!
Anna: Thanks, Ashley. Good luck to you, too.
Ashley: Thank you.
Anna: Bye!
Ashley: Bye, Anna!
Anna: See you!
(At the race: an announcer calls out race information)
Anna: Hello. I am here to enter the race!
Woman: But ma’am you can’t enter the race.
Anna: What? How am I going to meet my goal?
Woman: Ma’am, this race is for children. You can’t run with the children.
Anna: Children? Children. That’s perfect. I just might win!
Woman: No, ma’am. You really can’t run with the children.
Anna: I’m sorry. Of course. I was only thinking of my goal.
Woman: Well, you can help us with our goal, which is to raise money for sick
children. Would you like to help us?
Anna: I’ve just found my new goal. And I get to wear a medal. (to child who
finished race) Good job!
Listening
Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation.
Speaking
In this video, learn how to say the new words. Then learn about gerunds and
infinitives.
Pronunciation
Use this video to learn about how Americans pronounce the reduced form of "to"
in sentences with infinitives.
New Words
challenge -
v. to test the ability, skill, or strength of
(someone or something)
charity -
n. a organization that helps people in need
fitness -
n. the condition of being physically fit and
healthy
goal -
n. something that you are trying to do or
achieve
habit -
n. something that a person does often in a
regular and repeated way
marathon -
n. a running race that is about 26 miles (42
kilometers) long
medal -
n. a piece of metal often in the form of a coin
with designs and words in honor of a special event, a person, or an
achievement
race -
n. a competition between people, animals or
vehicles to see which one is fastest
special -
adj. different from what is normal or usual
train -
v. to try to make yourself stronger, faster, or
better at doing something before competing in an event or competition
Activity
In this lesson, Anna helps at a charity event. Have you
ever helped with a charity? Tell us about what you did
to help. Write about it in the Facebook Comments section
below. Then practice using gerunds and infinitives to
talk about sports.
Click
lesson activity to get the printable PDF version. The
page opens to a new window.
Study all 52 English conversation lessons. Let's Learn
English conversation lessons each with a conversation
video, a video script, audio listening practice, video
speaking practice, video pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
These
lessons are for beginners.
The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
The lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
Hey Students,
Use this dictionary and reference to look up any words you do not
understand in Fun Easy English.
You CAN
LISTEN to your Vocal Cords vibrating if you cover
your ears with your hands.
You CAN
FEEL your Vocal Cords vibrating if
you place your hands on your neck.
Mouth
Lips
Tongue
