Speech Work: Consonant Sound Contrast /f/ and /v/ – JSS2 English Lesson Note (First Term)

The consonant sounds /f/ and /v/ are both made with the lower lip against the upper teeth, but /f/ is voiceless and /v/ is voiced.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. say and give examples of words that contrast the sounds /f/ and /v/;
2. define a conjunction, name the three kinds and join sentences with and, or and but;
3. explain newspaper words such as press, proprietor, editor, journalist and columnist;
4. write an informal letter to their father;
5. identify onomatopoeia, euphemism, antithesis, oxymoron and apostrophe, and give examples of each.

What topics does this lesson cover?

This note covers six JSS2 English Studies topics.

• Speech work: consonant contrast /f/ and /v/.
• Grammar: conjunctions.
• Reading comprehension: extract from Things Fall Apart.
• Vocabulary development: newspaper, page 235.
• Writing: informal letter.
• Literature: more on figures of speech.

How do the consonant sounds /f/ and /v/ contrast?

/f/ is a voiceless sound and /v/ is a voiced sound, and the only difference between them is the vibration of the vocal cords.

How is each sound made?

Both sounds are fricatives: air is pushed through a narrow gap and makes friction.

How do I practise the two sounds?

1. Place your finger lightly on your throat.
2. Press your lower lip against your upper teeth.
3. Blow out air without a buzz to make /f/, as in fan.
4. Keep the same lip position and add a buzz to make /v/, as in van.
5. Say each word pair aloud and listen to the difference.

What are the word pairs for /f/ and /v/?

Say each pair of words below aloud and listen to the difference between the two sounds.

Where else do /f/ and /v/ change?

• Plural nouns: the /f/ becomes /v/ in leaf and leaves, knife and knives, wife and wives, half and halves.
• The word “of”: it is said with /v/ at the end.
• Spelling ph: the letters ph give the /f/ sound, as in phone and photo.

What mistakes do learners make?

• No buzz: some learners say /f/ in place of /v/, so very sounds like ferry.
• Wrong lips: some learners use both lips and make a different sound. The lower lip must touch the upper teeth.

Which sentences can I use for practice?

• The fat man filled the vat.
• The van is very fast.
• Keep the food safe and save some for later.
• Few people had a good view of the vast field.

What is a conjunction?

A conjunction is a word used to join words, phrases and clauses.

There are three main kinds: coordinating, correlative and subordinating conjunctions.

What are coordinating conjunctions?

Coordinating conjunctions join words or sentences of equal rank, for example and, but, or.

• They want John and Tina. (two words)
• They have finally finished and will soon leave. (two verb phrases with one subject)
• They played their best but they did not win. (two main clauses)
• Hussein and Musa are good swimmers. (two words)

What are correlative conjunctions?

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that join individual words or groups of words.

Examples of pairs: either … or, neither … nor, both … and, not only … but also, hardly … when, no sooner … than.

• Lost in the desert, we had neither food nor water.
• The crowd likes both my paintings and my sculpture.
• The machine not only picks the peas but also shells them.
• Either Ngozi or Usman is acceptable.
• I had hardly reached home when the phone began ringing.
• We had no sooner started for the cinema than our uncle arrived.

What are subordinating conjunctions?

Subordinating conjunctions join a subordinate clause to a main clause, which are clauses of unequal rank.

Examples: after, before, since, until, when, while, now that, as, where, because, although, even if, as though, as if, so that, lest, except that, unless.

• After I had finished my work, I took a nap.
• I like listening to music while I read.
• They were angry because the group left without them.
• The baby cries although he has just been fed.
• He acts as if he owns this company.
• Watch out for the step lest you trip.
• Let me know if you can’t make it to the practice.
• Although I was angry, I didn’t show it.

What is the reading passage from Things Fall Apart about?

The passage is an extract from Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

• Main character: Okonkwo, who has just taken part in the killing of Ikemefuna, his adopted son.
• The oracle: the oracle of the village has said that the boy must die.
• The elder’s advice: one of the elders tells Okonkwo that he ought not to take part in his son’s death.

What are the words to do with newspapers?

These newspaper words are found on page 235 of the textbook.

• The press: the newspapers, magazines and the people who produce them.
• Proprietor: the owner of a newspaper, who employs an editor to run it.
• Editor: the person in charge of the day-to-day work of the paper.
• Journalists: people who work in various ways to produce the text of the newspaper.
• Reporters: journalists who go out to collect stories and items of news.
• Correspondents: journalists who specialise in one kind of topic or one area.
• Column: text of a newspaper printed in strips running down the page.
• Columnist: a journalist who writes a daily or weekly article in roughly the same position in each issue.

How do I write an informal letter?

An informal letter is a letter written to a relative or friend in a friendly, relaxed style.

In Week 5, you were taught the informal letter and its features. Your task is to write an informal letter to your daddy.

1. Write your address at the top right-hand corner.
2. Write the date under your address.
3. Begin with a friendly greeting, such as Dear Daddy.
4. Write the body in short paragraphs, in a warm and simple style.
5. Close with a friendly ending, such as Your loving son or Your loving daughter.
6. Sign your name.

What are the figures of speech?

A figure of speech is a way of using words to give a special effect or meaning.

What is onomatopoeia?

Onomatopoeia is the use of a word that echoes or imitates the sound of the thing it represents.

• Examples: cuckoo, crash, squeak, sizzle, shuffling, rustling, squish, creaking.

What is euphemism?

Euphemism is the presentation of unpleasant things in a pleasant way.

• The king has joined his ancestors: means the king has died.
• She is in the family way: means she is pregnant.

What is antithesis?

Antithesis is the choice and arrangement of words to emphasise contrast.

• Man proposes and God disposes: contrasts what man plans with what God decides.
• I toil day and night: contrasts day with night.

What is an oxymoron?

An oxymoron uses words of opposite meanings or suggestions together, with one serving as a qualifier for the other.

• A wise fool: wise and fool are opposites.
• A bittersweet experience: bitter and sweet are joined.
• Parting is such sweet sorrow: sweet and sorrow are joined.
• Death is a cruel kindness: cruel and kindness are joined.
• Her pregnancy is an open secret: open and secret are joined.

What is apostrophe?

Apostrophe is an address to an absent person, a dead person or a non-living thing.

• Example: O death! Where is thy sting?

Evaluation

1. Write ten examples of words for each sound, /f/ and /v/.
2. Make sentences with these conjunctions: besides, since, when, therefore, until.
3. Combine each pair of sentences using the conjunctions and, or, but:
   1. I like fish. I love steak.
   2. Mum called the doctor. He recommended rest.
   3. You can go to Lekki. You can stay home.
   4. Just listen to me. Please don’t criticise.
   5. I enjoy sailing. Scuba diving is more fun.
4. Do Practice 2 (1 to 10) in Effective English JS 2, page 92, and Practice 4 (1 to 7), page 236.
5. Write out two examples for each figure of speech taught.

Assignment

Write an informal letter to your daddy on why you like your new school.