Reading: Basic Decoding & Word Recognition
A2 Lesson 2: Common Long Vowel Sounds & Simple Spellings
Vowels Have Two Sounds!
We know the short vowel2 sounds, like 'a' in cat and 'i' in sit. But vowels can also have a long vowel1 sound.
The long vowel sound is easy to remember: it's the same as the letter's name (A, E, I, O, U). Today we will learn about the "Magic e"3, a spelling rule that creates these long sounds.
Part 1: How the "Magic e" Works
The "Magic e" is an 'e' at the end of a word that is silent (you don't pronounce it). Its job is to change the short vowel before it into a long vowel.
Look at how the sound changes from short to long. Listen carefully to the difference.
| Short Vowel Word | + "Magic e" = Long Vowel Word |
|---|---|
| hat (short 'a' sound) | hate ('a' says its name, 'A') |
| Pet (short 'e' sound in P-e-t) | Pete ('e' says its name, 'E' - as in the name) |
| kit (short 'i' sound) | kite ('i' says its name, 'I') |
| hop (short 'o' sound) | hope ('o' says its name, 'O') |
| cut (short 'u' sound) | cute ('u' says its name, 'U') |
Part 2: Reading Practice Sentences
Read these sentences aloud. Listen for the long vowel sounds made by the "Magic e".
- I fly my kite on the riverfront.
- I hope to visit Kep on the weekend.
- That is a very cute cat.
- Please write your name on the line.
Your Turn to Practice!
Practice Quiz 1: Short or Long Vowel?
Read the word and decide if the vowel sound is short or long.
1. Word: pin -> (short / long)
Answer: short 'i' sound.
2. Word: pine -> (short / long)
Answer: long 'i' sound (because of the magic e).
3. Word: cub -> (short / long)
Answer: short 'u' sound.
4. Word: cube -> (short / long)
Answer: long 'u' sound.
Vocabulary Glossary
-
Long Vowel (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ស្រៈសំឡេងវែង
A vowel sound that says the letter's name. For example, the 'a' in cake. ↩ back to text -
Short Vowel (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ស្រៈសំឡេងខ្លី
The common, short sound of a vowel. For example, the 'a' in cat. ↩ back to text -
Magic e / Silent e (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: អក្សរ 'e' ស្ងាត់
An 'e' at the end of a word that is not pronounced, but makes the vowel before it have a long sound. ↩ back to text
Homework Task
Become a Word Wizard!
Add a "Magic e" to the end of these short vowel words to create new words with long vowel sounds. Write the new words in your notebook.
- plan → _________
- rid → _________
- not → _________
- cap → _________
(Answers: plane, ride, note, cape)