ShortVowel contrast
Long A vs Short E Minimal Pairs
/eɪ/ and /ɛ/ pronunciation, listening, and reading practice
Long A is a moving vowel, while short E stays in one position. Hearing the glide helps distinguish words such as late and let.
Produce both sounds accurately
What changes in the mouth?
Long A
Begin at mid-front and glide slightly upward.
Short E
Keep one relaxed mid-front position with no glide.
Accuracy note: Do not hold long A as a flat /ɛ/. The slight upward glide is part of the English vowel.
10 reviewed contrasts
Listen to the minimal pairs
Play both words in a row. First decide whether they sound the same or different; then repeat each word without adding an extra vowel.
Interactive practice
Listen and choose
Hear one word, then select the word you heard. Complete six questions and replay whenever you need to.
Listen carefully, then choose.
Meaning in context
Read both sounds in sentences
1Wait by the wet gate.
2The men met by the main road.
3Set the red pen by the pail.
4The test came late.
Read once slowly for accuracy, then reread at a natural pace. Ask the learner to point to each target word and explain its meaning.
Deliberate practice
A five-minute teaching routine
Play four words and ask the learner to identify sound A or sound B.
Reveal the pair, say both words, and check the mouth cue above.
Read one sentence and discuss how changing the sound changes the word.
Say late slowly, then stop before the glide to hear why it can drift toward let.
Offline review
Print this sound contrast lesson
The print view includes the mouth cues, reviewed pairs, accuracy note, sentences, and practice routine.