Listening: Understanding Natural Connected Speech (Very Basic) A1 - Lesson 1: Recognizing Common Contractions (I'm, you're, it's) in Slow Speech

Understanding Natural Speech A1: Recognizing Common Contractions

Welcome to a new series! We will start learning about natural speech². In normal English conversation, speakers often connect or shorten words. This can be difficult for learners. Our first lesson is on contractions¹.

1. What is a Contraction?

A contraction is a shorter, faster way to say two words. We use a special mark called an apostrophe³ ( ' ) to show that some letters are missing. Today, we will learn three of the most common contractions.

Full Form (Slow)	Contraction (Fast/Natural)
I am	I'm
You are	You're
It is	It's

2. Practice with "I am" ➜ "I'm"

Listen to the full form, then listen to the contraction. They have the same meaning.

Full Form: "I am happy."

Contraction: "I'm happy."

Full Form: "I am a student."

Contraction: "I'm a student."

3. Practice with "You are" ➜ "You're"

Be careful! The word "you're" (you are) sounds the same as "your" (belonging to you). You must listen to the whole sentence to understand the meaning.

Full Form: "You are from Cambodia."

Contraction: "You're from Cambodia."

Full Form: "You are late."

Contraction: "You're late."

4. Practice with "It is" ➜ "It's"

We often use "it's" to talk about the weather or to give a simple opinion.

Full Form: "It is hot today."

Contraction: "It's hot today."

Full Form: "It is a big temple."

Contraction: "It's a big temple."

Quiz: Full Form or Contraction?

Listen to the sentence. Did you hear the full form or the contraction?

1. Sentence 1: (Listen to the audio)

   Did you hear: (a) I am     or     (b) I'm

2. Sentence 2: (Listen to the audio)

   Did you hear: (a) It is     or     (b) It's

3. Sentence 3: (Listen to the audio)

   Did you hear: (a) You are     or     (b) You're

Click to Show Answers

Answers: 1-b (I'm), 2-a (It is), 3-b (You're)

Homework Task

1. Contraction Hunt: Listen to one short English song. Try to count how many times you hear "I'm," "you're," or "it's." You will be surprised how common they are!

2. Practice Speaking: Read these sentences out loud, but use the contraction.

• "I am happy." ➜ "I'm happy."
• "You are very kind." ➜ "You're very kind."
• "It is nine o'clock." ➜ "It's nine o'clock."

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Contraction (noun) - Khmer: ពាក្យកាត់ - A shorter form of a word or group of words, where letters are replaced by an apostrophe. ↩
2. Natural Speech (noun phrase) - Khmer: ការនិយាយបែបធម្មជាតិ - The way people talk in normal, relaxed, everyday conversation. ↩
3. Apostrophe (noun) - Khmer: សញ្ញា ' - The punctuation mark ( ' ) used in contractions to show where letters are missing. ↩