PHONETIC ALPHABET /fəʊˈnetɪkˈælfəbɪt/

The outstanding existing differences between the English phonological system and the Spanish one, among other problems, make Spanish learners find it really difficult to pronounce properly. I'm convinced that phonetics can help overcome those difficulties as well as provide more autonomy in the learning of a language. So... let's get started!

Las notables diferencias existentes entre el sistema fonológico de la lengua inglesa y el de la lengua española , entre otros problemas, hacen que nuestros alumnos encuentren especial dificultad en pronunciar correctamente. Estoy convencida que la fonética puede ayudar a superar esas dificultades además de proporcionar más autonomía en el aprendizaje del idioma. Así que... manos a la obra!

How about starting from the beginning?

¿Qué tal si empezamos desde el principio?

Here's a link to a very simple test activity consisting of identifying some vowel phonemes in the English alphabet. The vowel chart, figure A, can help you identify where each vowel is produce in the vocal tract. Click here to start and ENJOY YOURSELF!

Aquí tenemos un enlace a una actividad en forma de test muy simple que consiste en identificar algunos fonemas vocálicos en el alfabeto inglés. El recuadro de las vocales, figure A, te puede ayudar a identificar el lugar donde se realizan cada una de las vocales . Pincha aquí para empezar y DIVIERTETE!

AM I TOO BLUE? /ʌ/ /æ/ /ɑ:/

Lucinda Williams is an American rock, folk, and country music singer and songwriter. A three-time Grammy Award winner, she was named "America's best songwriter" by TIME magazine in 2002.

Her song Am I too blue is hopefully going to help us hear the difference between the vowel sounds /ʌ/ /æ/ /ɑ:/

1. Listen to this song and fill in the blanks. Once you've finished, try to classify the words under the right column according to the vowel sound they contain.

Am I too blue

Lucinda Williams

Am I too blue for you? Am I too blue?

When I cry like the sky Like the sky (1)_________­­­­­­____ Am I too blue?

Is the night too (2)______________? Is the wind too (3)______________?

Is it at your (4)_______________? Have you had (5)______________?

Do you miss my (6)_____________? Do you wanna stay?
Do you have so (7)____________ Still left to say?

[Refrain]

When you're in the (8)______________ , Do you call my name?

Is there still a (9)_______________? Does it feel the same?

The sun beats down, It burns your skin

When you run into my (10)______________ again.

2. Once you've finished, write the words under the right column, /ʌ/, /æ/ or /ɑ:/, according to the vowel sound they contain. /ʌ/ /æ/ /ɑ:/

Answer key:
1. sometime /ˈsʌmtaim/ 2. black /blæk/ 3. rough /rʌf/ 4. back /bæk/ 5. enough /ɪˈnʌf/ 6. touch /tʌtʃ/ 7. much /mʌtʃ/ 8. dark /dɑ:k/ 9. spark /spɑ:k/ 10. arms /ɑ:ms/

Am I Too Blue Lyrics