This video explains how the English diphthong /əʊ/ is formed by combining the central vowel sound /ə/ (= the schwa) with the near-close near-back rounded vowel /ʊ/ (funnily, this is also sometimes called the horseshoe vowel because of its symbol!).

There is smooth transition between these two sounds to form a new sound – the diphthong /əʊ/ – as we glide from one to next. You will learn how to pronounce this sound correctly and you will also see example words and common spelling patterns of this sound. At the end there is a little test for you!