Goal: recognize and name the letter A; hear each distinct sound letter A makes; voice those sounds. The letter A can sound so many different ways. What a way to start.
Adult learners use this section to explore the sounds each alphabet letter can make. Using IPA symbols helps prepare learners for using a dictionary. Word drills provide structured reading practice using lists of words grouped by sound and take learners on the next step in their reading journey.
| Name | IPA Symbol | Examples |
| Short A |
as in cat:
-
|
,
,
,
,
.
Try a word drill: 01, 04, 12, 13, 14. |
| Long A | as in lake:
-
|
, , , , .
Try a word drill: 02, 03, 07, 08, 17. |
| Broad A |
as in call:
-
|
, , , .
Try a word drill: 05, 39, 40. |
The letter A blends easily with other letters like L and R to make occasional sounds. Sometimes the occasional sound sounds like other vowels.
| Name | IPA Symbol | Examples |
| Italian A |
, as in car:
-
|
, , .
the blended sound is like short o, as in .
Try a word drill: 06, 15, 16, 25. |
| A with R |
, as in care:
-
|
, , .
the blended sound is like short e, as in .
Try our popup tool for exploring letter combinations: , , |
When we speak, we blend sounds together in a word. Some consonants, like R and L, have a strong pull on vowel sounds when they follow the vowel in a word. This is true for the vowel A.
Listen to the effect of L on A as in (Broad a), (Italian a).
Listen to the effect of R on A as in (Italian a), (A with R).
Practice hearing these occasional A sounds in the rhyming game below.
