Speech Work: Sound /I:/ – JSS1 English Lesson Note (First Term)

The sound /i:/ is a long vowel, as in seat, meet and key.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Pronounce words that contain the long sound /i:/.
2. Name the difference between the long /i:/ and the short /I/.
3. Pronounce pairs of words such as seat and sit so that the two vowels sound different.
4. Give pairs of words that show the contrast between /i:/ and /I/.
5. Recognise the common spellings of the sound /i:/.

What is the sound /i:/?

The sound /i:/ is a long vowel made with the front of the tongue raised high and the lips spread.

• Symbol: the two dots (:) after the letter show that the vowel is long.
• Example: seat /si:t/, meet /mi:t/ and key /ki:/.
• Length: the tongue stays in the same position for longer than it does for the short vowel /I/.
• Short vowel: the short vowel /I/ is heard in sit /sIt/.

Which words have the sound /i:/?

Many English words have the sound /i:/, and they are spelt in different ways.

• seat, meet: the sound is in the middle of the word.
• police, seize, read: the sound is spelt in different ways.
• field, key, quay: the sound can be spelt ie, ey or uay.
• people, amoeba: the sound can be spelt eo or oe.

Common spellings of /i:/

• Note on read: read /ri:d/ (present tense) has /i:/, but the past tense read /red/ does not.

How do we pronounce the sound /i:/?

To pronounce /i:/, hold a high, front tongue position and keep the sound going for longer.

1. Spread your lips as if you are smiling.
2. Raise the front of your tongue high in your mouth.
3. Say the vowel and hold it a little longer.
4. Say the whole word, for example seat.
5. Say the short vowel word, for example sit, and notice that it is quicker.

What is the difference between /i:/ and /I/?

The long /i:/ is held for longer than the short /I/, and the difference can change the meaning of a word.

• Long /i:/: held longer, as in seat, heat and deep.
• Short /I/: said quickly, as in sit, hit and dip.
• Minimal pair: two words that differ in only one sound, such as seat and sit.

Vowel contrast

How can students practise the sounds?

Students practise by saying each pair aloud, first slowly and then at normal speed.

1. Listen as the teacher says a pair, for example seat and sit.
2. Repeat the pair together as a class.
3. Say the pair in twos, one student for each word.
4. Say the sentences below clearly.

Practice sentences

• Sentence 1: Please keep the sheep in the green field.
• Sentence 2: Take a seat and sit down.
• Sentence 3: The people will meet at the police station.
• Sentence 4: The ship is deep in the water.

Evaluation

1. Find five pairs of words that show the contrast between the short /I/ and the long /i:/, as in the examples above.
2. What does the mark (:) show after a vowel symbol?
3. Write the sound /i:/ in four different spellings, with one word for each.
4. Say these pairs aloud: feet and fit, leap and lip.

Assignment

Write ten words that have the sound /i:/ and, for each, write a word that has the short sound /I/.

Reference

Oral English for Schools and Colleges, page 16.