Vowel Sounds /u/ & /u:/ – JSS3 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

The vowel sound /u/ is the short vowel in look, full and pull, and /u:/ is the long vowel in fool, pool and blue.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Tell the vowel sounds /u/ and /u:/ apart in words such as full and fool.
2. Write out words that contain each of the two sounds.
3. Transcribe given words and identify the sound /u/ or /u:/ in them.
4. Name the demonstrative pronouns and say when each one is used.
5. Use this, that, these and those correctly in sentences.
6. Write a speech for a debate on a given topic.

Speech work: what are the vowel sounds /u/ and /u:/?

/u/ is a short vowel made with loosely rounded lips, and /u:/ is a long vowel made with tightly rounded lips.

• /u/ (short): lips are loosely rounded, the sound is quick, as in look, full and pull.
• /u:/ (long): lips are tightly rounded, the sound is held longer, as in luke, fool and pool.
• Symbol: the colon in /u:/ shows that the vowel is long.
• Other books: some books write the short sound as /ʊ/.

Word list for practice

Say each word aloud and listen to the difference between the two sounds.

What spellings give the sound /u/?

• oo: book, foot, good, wood.
• u: put, pull, full, push, sugar.
• ou: could, would, should.
• o: woman, wolf.

What spellings give the sound /u:/?

• oo: food, moon, pool, school.
• ue: blue, true, clue.
• ew: few, new, grew.
• ui: fruit, juice.
• u: rule, June, Tuesday.
• ou: soup, group.
• o: do, to, who, shoe (spelt oe).

How do you tell the two sounds apart?

1. Say the word slowly and hold the vowel.
2. If the vowel stays short and the lips are loose, it is /u/.
3. If the vowel is long and the lips are tightly rounded, it is /u:/.
4. Check by comparing it with a pair such as full and fool.

• Warning: the same letters can give different sounds, so spelling alone is not a safe guide. Compare book (/u/) with food (/u:/).

Comprehension: how do you answer a comprehension passage?

Comprehension is reading a passage carefully and answering questions on what it says.

1. Read the passage once for the general idea.
2. Read the questions.
3. Read the passage again and underline the lines that answer each question.
4. Answer in full sentences, using your own words where you can.
5. Check spelling, punctuation and tenses before you submit.

• Fact questions: the answer is stated in the passage.
• Vocabulary questions: give the meaning of a word as it is used in the passage.
• Inference questions: use clues in the passage to work out what is not stated directly.

Grammar: what are demonstrative pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns are the words this, that, these and those, which point out specific persons, places or objects.

• This: one person or thing that is near.
• That: one person or thing that is far.
• These: more than one person or thing that is near.
• Those: more than one person or thing that is far.

This and that are singular. These and those are plural.

Examples

• This is my sister.
• These are my sisters.
• That is my school.
• Those are the goats he bought.

How is a demonstrative pronoun different from a demonstrative adjective?

A demonstrative pronoun stands alone in place of a noun. The same word before a noun is a demonstrative adjective.

Composition: what is an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that takes a side on an issue and gives reasons to convince the reader.

What are the steps to writing a good argumentative essay?

1. Read the topic and decide which side you will support.
2. List your points and one example or reason for each.
3. Plan the order of the points, starting with the strongest or ending with it.
4. Write the introduction: state the topic and your stand.
5. Write one body paragraph for each point, with a reason or example.
6. Answer the opposite view briefly and show why it is weaker.
7. Write the conclusion: restate your stand and end firmly.
8. Read it again and correct errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation.

What linking words help an argument?

• To add a point: firstly, secondly, moreover, in addition.
• To contrast: however, on the other hand, although.
• To conclude: therefore, in conclusion, to sum up.

How do you write a debate speech?

A debate speech is an argumentative essay written to be spoken aloud to an audience.

1. Greet the audience formally, for example: Mr Chairman, panel of judges, fellow debaters, ladies and gentlemen.
2. Introduce yourself and say which side you speak for.
3. State your stand on the topic clearly.
4. Give your points one by one, with reasons and examples.
5. Answer the points made by the other side.
6. Conclude by restating your stand and thank the audience.

• Language: use formal English and short, clear sentences.
• Tone: be polite and firm, and do not insult the other side.

Evaluation

1. Write out ten words each for the sounds /u/ and /u:/.
2. Which sound is longer, /u/ or /u:/? Give one pair of words to show the difference.
3. Use each of these demonstrative pronouns in a sentence: this, that, these and those.
4. What are the steps to a good argumentative essay?

Assignment

Speech work

Transcribe the following words and identify the sound /u/ or /u:/ in each:

1. value
2. Tuesday
3. sugar
4. few
5. fruit
6. stood
7. refuse
8. butcher

Grammar

List the demonstrative pronouns. Write out five sentences and identify the demonstrative pronouns in them.

Composition

You have been invited to take part as the chief speaker in a debate on the topic “Teachers are better than farmers in society”. Write your speech.