Hello! Welcome to your first lesson in the A1 English course. I'm excited to start this learning journey with you.
This first module is all about the foundations of English. Today, we'll focus on the very first building block: the English alphabet. By the end of this 30-minute lesson, you will be able to recite the alphabet and, most importantly, use it to spell your name. This is a crucial skill for introductions, filling out forms, and many other daily situations.
Let's begin!
1. Getting to Know the English Alphabet
The English alphabet has 26 letters. Each letter has an uppercase (or capital) form and a lowercase (or small) form. For example, 'A' is uppercase, and 'a' is lowercase.
These 26 letters are divided into two groups:
- Vowels: A, E, I, O, U
- Consonants: All the other 21 letters.
Below is a table showing all the letters. Notice the columns for the capital letter, the small letter, and a guide on "How to Read" the letter name. This will help you with pronunciation.
Now, let's hear the alphabet spoken clearly. The following video will introduce the letters.
🇬🇧 Alphabet - Lesson 1 - beginner English A1
Watch this short segment from the video 'Alphabet - Lesson 1' by Professeurdanglais to hear the pronunciation of each letter. Listen carefully and try to repeat them.
Watch from the beginning until 02:56. The speaker will recite the alphabet twice. Listen the first time, and try to say the letters along with her the second time.
Understanding Similar Sounds
One of the challenges for new learners is that many English letters have similar-sounding names. For example, it can be difficult to hear the difference between 'G' and 'J', or between 'B' and 'V'.
The video you just watched has an excellent section that groups letters by their sounds. This is a very helpful trick for learning to tell them apart.
🇬🇧 Alphabet - Lesson 1 - beginner English A1
Now, let's watch the next part of the same video. The teacher, Kate, will group the letters that have similar sounds. This will help you train your ear.
Watch the section from 02:56 to 05:42. Pay close attention to the groups of letters she creates. For example, she puts 'A', 'H', 'J', and 'K' together because their names all share the /eɪ/ sound.
Test your understanding!
Based on the video, which group of letters share the /iː/ sound (like in the word "see")?
Show answer
B, C, D, E, G, P, T, V
2. How to Spell Your Name
Now that you are familiar with the letters, let's put them into practice. A very common reason to use the alphabet is to spell your name for someone.
To ask someone to spell something, you can say:
- "How do you spell that?"
- "Can you spell your name, please?"
The following video shows several examples of people spelling their first and last names.
English Alphabet and Spelling Names, Address & Giving Email
This video, 'English Alphabet and Spelling Names', provides excellent, clear examples of how to respond when someone asks you to spell your name.
Watch from 01:22 to 04:44. Listen to how each person spells their first name and then their last name, letter by letter.
Here is a simple conversation model you can use:
A: What's your name?
B: My name is Maria.
A: How do you spell that?
B: M - A - R - I - A.
Now, it's your turn.
- Say your first name.
- Spell your first name out loud, letter by letter.
- Do the same for your last name.
Practicing this out loud is the best way to become confident!
A Tip for Clear Spelling
Sometimes, especially on the phone or in a noisy place, it can be hard for people to understand a letter. For example, "M" and "N" can sound very similar.
In these situations, English speakers often use a word that starts with the letter to make it clear. For example, you could say: "My name is 'Lin', that's L as in Lunch, I as in Ice cream, N as in Nose."
Your guide to the English alphabet
The article 'Your guide to the English alphabet' from the Duolingo Blog explains this useful technique. Please read the short section about it.
Find the section with the heading 'How to use the English alphabet'. Read the paragraph that begins 'To help clarify what letter is meant...' to understand this method.
The video on spelling names also demonstrates this technique. Watching it will help you see how it works in a conversation.
English Alphabet and Spelling Names, Address & Giving Email
Let's return to the 'English Alphabet and Spelling Names' video to see a demonstration of this clarification technique.
Watch from 04:44 to 06:11. Notice how the speakers say a word to make sure the listener understands the letter (for example, 'M like monkey', 'E like November').
Lesson Summary
Excellent work on your first lesson! Here are the key takeaways:
- The English alphabet has 26 letters (5 vowels and 21 consonants).
- Knowing the correct pronunciation of each letter is key to spelling. Grouping letters by similar sounds can help you learn them.
- You can ask someone to spell their name by saying, "How do you spell your name?"
- To avoid confusion with similar-sounding letters, you can use a clarifying phrase like, "B as in Boy."
Preview of the Next Lesson
Now that you can spell your name, you're ready for the next step. In our next lesson, we will learn how to use basic greetings like "hello" and "goodbye," and how to introduce yourself using "I am..." and "My name is...". See you then