Lessons Unit 1, lesson 18

ə as in about

One weak vowel, on its own page. It is small, grey and everywhere — hear it alone, then spot it in the words.

əthe a in about

Relax your whole mouth and make the smallest possible vowel: uh. That's it. Almost every unstressed syllable wants to become it: about, banana, sofa.

ə a b b ou t t
about
b b ə a ˈn n æ a n n ə a
banana
ˈs s o f f ə a
sofa
ˈk c æ a m m ɚ er ə a
camera

Now say it yourself

Read each word from its sheet, out loud, three times. Where there's a play button, listen first and copy what you hear. Slow is fine — clear beats fast.

ˈɛ e l l ə e f ph ə a n n t t
elephant
ˈaɪ i s l l ə a n n d d
island
t t ə o ˈm m ɑː o ɹ rr ow
tomorrow
ˈtʃ ch ɔː o k c o l l ə a t t e
chocolate
f ph ə o ˈt t ɑː o ɡ g ɹ r ə a f ph i y
photography
ˈf f æ a m m ə i l l i y
family
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