Vowels – Monophthongs
-
The Magic E: English Pronunciation Trick!
The Magic E, or Silent E rule, alters vowel pronunciation in English by turning short sounds into long ones. For instance, ‘not’ becomes ‘note’. This rule typically follows a vowel + consonant + silent E structure. Though exceptions exist, grasping the Magic E enhances spelling and pronunciation skills. Read more
-
Master the Schwa Sound in English
In this video lesson, we will learn all about one of the most important vowel sound in English: the schwa. Represented by /ə/ and sounding like a relaxed “uh,” the schwa is key to mastering natural English speech and is also often called the central vowel sound. The schwa sound is the most common vowel Read more
-
The Vowel Chart – The 12 Monophthongs in British English
The video provides an in-depth explanation of the British English vowel chart, detailing the 12 monophthongs and their production in the mouth. It covers the positioning of sounds along the horizontal and vertical axes, showcasing the placement of long and short vowel sounds. Additionally, it includes a bonus slide with example words for each sound. Read more
-
Long & Short Vowel Sound Exercise
The video provides an overview of the 12 monophthongs of British English, including 5 long and 7 short vowel sounds. Recognizing and pronouncing these sounds correctly is crucial in English, as they can change the meaning of words, such as ‘live’ and ‘leave.’ Viewers are prompted to read and identify the vowel sounds, followed by… Read more
-
Short Vowel Exercise
This video lesson focuses on practicing the seven short vowel sounds of British English, also known as monophthongs. It emphasizes identifying short vowels in words such as ‘fit’, ‘fun’, ‘fox’, ‘foot’, ‘fell’, ‘fat’, and ‘for’. The video provides a quick revision before challenging viewers to identify the word that doesn’t belong in a group. Read more
-
Semi-Vowels in English /j/ & /w/
The video lesson explores English semi-vowels /j/ and /w/, and briefly touches on /r/. It explains the distinction between semi-vowels and regular vowels, and why they are classified as semi-vowels despite being consonants. The lesson also covers the specific characteristics of these sounds and provides examples of words containing them. Check out the video for… Read more
Looking for something specific?
-
The Schwa Sound /ə/ – the central vowel sound in English
A video about the central vowel sound schwa /ə/, the most common vowel sound in English. This subtle yet crucial sound often goes unnoticed. Represented by the IPA sound symbol “ə,” this unstressed vowel plays a significant role in shaping spoken English. Our latest video delves into the world of the schwa, examining its importance Read more
-
Vowel Sounds – Short e & Short æ in English pronunciation
A lesson on the short e & short æ vowel sounds in English. Embark on a journey into vowel sounds with our beginner-friendly tutorial. This video introduces the short e and short æ, guiding you on mouth positioning and offering simple examples. Whether you’re starting out or enhancing your speaking skills, this guide makes it Read more
-
Vowel Sounds – Short ʊ & Long u: in English pronunciation
A video about the short ʊ & long u: vowel sounds in English. Read more
-
Vowel Sounds – Short ɒ & Long ɔ: in English pronunciation
A lesson on the short ɒ & long ɔ: monophthongs in English. Explore the world of short ɒ and long ɔ: sounds in our easy-to-follow video made just for English learners. This video breaks down these vowel sounds in a simple way, showing you how to position your mouth and giving examples. Whether you’re just Read more
-
Vowel Sounds – The long ɜ: in English Pronunciation
A video about the long vowel sound /ɜ:/ – monophthong in English pronunciation. In our latest lesson for English learners, we shine a light on the often misunderstood ɜ: sound. This video is designed to make mastering this vowel sound accessible and enjoyable. From explaining mouth positioning to offering practical examples, our guide simplifies the Read more
-
Vowel Sounds – Short ʌ & Long a: in English Pronunciation
A video about the short /ʌ/ and long /a:/ monophthong sounds in English. Join our easy-to-follow tutorial designed for English learners. In this lesson, we’ll focus on the short /ʌ/ and long /a:/ vowel sounds to help you improve your pronunciation skills. The video breaks down how to position your mouth, shares examples, and makes Read more
Billie English on YouTube
With a library of over 290 videos as of 2024, ‘Billie English’ has amassed over 100k subscribers and 6 million views on YouTube, solidifying its status as a trusted resource for English learners and phonology geeks worldwide.
In addition to its significant social media presence, Billie English offers a variety of online English classes and learning materials.
Meet Your Coach
Discover your English potential with Billie, your online accent reduction coach and English teacher. Master sounds, stress and intonation, and speak with confidence and fluency.
Our personalised classes focus on minimising native accents to ensure crystal-clear communication. Join our diverse clientele and benefit from expert guidance tailored to your individual needs, helping you become a confident English communicator and excel in your work and beyond.
Billie English 