English Pronunciation Practice (/ɪ/, /iː/, /eɪ/)


English Pronunciation Practice | Tim and Katie Story

English Pronunciation Practice

Master vowel and consonant sounds with the Tim and Katie story

A Day with Tim and Katie

Practice your pronunciation with this engaging story

Tim is a little boy who lives in a busy city with his older sister Katie. They get up early every day, just after the sunlight begins to shine through the window.

Tim goes to the kitchen to grab a bit of breakfast, usually a bowl of sweet cereal and a glass of cold water. Katie, who's a few years older, likes toast with peanut butter. She always says, "You better eat fast or we'll be late!"

After breakfast, the two head out for school. On the way, they meet their friend Peter at the bus stop. Peter likes to chat about video games and always carries a bottle of juice. When he talks fast, he says things like "I boddled it up," dropping the /t/ like a hiccup.

Once they arrive at school, they sit in their math and science classes, where Tim sometimes struggles to keep still. He fidgets in his seat, tapping his feet, and Katie gives him a look like, "Better stop that."

At lunchtime, Tim eats a turkey sandwich, and Katie shares some of her potato chips. The teacher says, "You guys are great today," and gives them stickers. That makes Tim beam with pride.

After school, they go to the skate park, a little place near the mountain trail. Tim has a brand-new skateboard with flames on it. He practices a kickflip, but later, he falls and hits his elbow. It isn't bad, but he sits quietly for a minute, breathing slowly. Katie says, "You're tough, Tim."

They head home just before sunset, tired but happy. At home, they take showers, put on their pajamas, and gather in the living room to watch a cartoon. Tim picks a movie called "Space Battle 7," where the robots fight with lasers and escape from a burning planet.

By the time the movie ends, Tim is nearly asleep. He mumbles, "I wanna be a space pilot someday," before drifting off. Katie tucks him in and whispers, "Sleep well, little brother."

Vowel Sounds

/ɪ/ short "i" sound
As in bit, little, city
Position: High front unrounded vowel
/iː/ long "e" sound
As in evening, sweet, keep
Position: Close front unrounded vowel
/eɪ/ long "a" sound
As in day, later, skate
Position: Mid front unrounded vowel

T Pronunciations

True /t/ Clear "t" sound
As in table, take, tough
Position: Alveolar stop
Flap /t/ American style
As in butter, water, city
Sounds like a quick "d"
Glottal /t/ British style
As in bottle, mountain, button
Stopped sound in throat

Pronunciation Practice

Record your voice and get feedback on your pronunciation

Tim is a little boy who lives in a busy city.

Press the record button and read the sentence

Sound Recap

Key words from the story for each sound

/ɪ/ Sound

Tim little city bit sister minute chips still

/iː/ Sound

evening keep sweet be eat beam sleep feet

/eɪ/ Sound

day later skate Katie potato escape great game

T Sounds

turkey toast teacher table butter water bottle mountain

1 comment: