Speech Work: Pronunciation of Mono and Bi-syllable Words Basic 6 English Studies Lesson Note

What are Syllables?

A syllable is a unit of sound that contains one vowel sound. We can clap to count syllables.

Mono-syllable Words (One syllable):

• cat (clap once)
• dog (clap once)
• car (clap once)
• sky (clap once)
• book, pen, sun, tree, fish

Bi-syllable Words (Two syllables):

• ho-tel (clap twice)
• po-em (clap twice)
• cho-rus (clap twice)
• tea-cher, stu-dent, pa-per, win-dow

Exercise A – Count the Syllables

Clap and count the syllables in these words:

1. elephant → _____ syllables
2. house → _____ syllables
3. computer → _____ syllables
4. rain → _____ syllables
5. banana → _____ syllables
6. happy → _____ syllables

Exercise B – Sort the Words

Put these words in the correct column:

Words: bird, table, mountain, hat, picture, desk, beautiful, run

Exercise C – Pronunciation Practice

Read these words aloud, clapping for each syllable:

Mono-syllable:

• bag, ship, lamp, clock, green

Bi-syllable:

• mar-ket, sis-ter, mon-key, gar-den, pic-nic

Practice Activity: Work with a partner. One person says a word, the other claps the syllables and says if it’s mono or bi-syllable.