how to teach th sound

2 min read 24-01-2025

The /θ/ (voiceless dental fricative, as in "thin") and /ð/ (voiced dental fricative, as in "this") sounds are notoriously tricky for English language learners (ELLs). These sounds don't exist in many languages, making them difficult to pronounce. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to effectively teach these sounds, focusing on clear explanations, visual aids, and practical exercises. Mastering these sounds significantly improves pronunciation and intelligibility.

Understanding the Sounds: /θ/ and /ð/

Before teaching the sounds, ensure you understand the articulatory phonetics. Both sounds are produced by placing the tongue between the teeth, creating a narrow opening for air to escape. The difference lies in voicing:

/θ/ (voiceless): No vocal cord vibration. Think of the "th" in "thin," "think," or "bath."
/ð/ (voiced): Vocal cords vibrate. Think of the "th" in "this," "that," or "breathe."

Teaching Strategies for /θ/ and /ð/

Here's a step-by-step approach to teaching these challenging sounds:

1. Modeling and Demonstration:

Mirror Work: Have students observe you in a mirror, clearly articulating the sounds. Emphasize the tongue placement between the teeth.
Exaggerated Pronunciation: Initially, exaggerate the sounds to make the tongue placement more visible.
Visual Aids: Use pictures or diagrams showing the tongue and teeth position. Videos demonstrating the articulation are extremely helpful.

2. Sensory Activities:

Feel the Air: Have students feel the air escaping between their teeth as they pronounce the sounds.
Tongue Placement: Use a small mirror to help students visualize their tongue position. Gently guide their tongue to the correct placement between their teeth.

3. Minimal Pairs:

Using minimal pairs (words that differ by only one sound) helps students distinguish between /θ/ and /ð/:

Thin/This: Have students repeat the words, focusing on the subtle difference in voicing.
Bath/Bath: Explain the different pronunciations in the UK and US.
Mouth/Mouth: Discuss the variations in pronunciation, specifically highlighting /θ/ and /ð/.

Other minimal pairs include: think/think, three/three, path/path, breathe/breathe.

4. Sound-Specific Activities:

Word Lists: Start with simple words containing /θ/ and /ð/. Gradually increase difficulty with longer words and sentences.
Sentence Repetition: Practice sentences incorporating both sounds, focusing on fluency and accurate pronunciation. Examples include, "The thin path leads to the thick bushes," or "This is a thoughtful thing to do."
Tongue Twisters: Introduce tongue twisters to improve pronunciation speed and accuracy. For example, "This thirsty thing thinks it's thin."

5. Contextualization:

Real-Life Scenarios: Integrate the sounds into real-life conversations and role-playing activities. This helps students connect the sounds to meaningful contexts.
Storytelling: Incorporate words with /θ/ and /ð/ into storytelling exercises. Encourage students to read aloud and practice using the sounds.

6. Addressing Common Errors:

/f/ and /v/ substitution: Many ELLs substitute /f/ for /θ/ and /v/ for /ð/. Emphasize the tongue-teeth contact, explaining that the air escapes through a narrow opening between the teeth.
/s/ and /z/ substitution: Similar to the above, highlight the difference in air flow and voicing.
Lateralization: Students may produce a lateralized sound, where air escapes from the sides of the tongue. Remind them to keep the sides of the tongue touching the upper molars.

Resources and Further Practice

Online Dictionaries with Audio: Use online dictionaries that provide audio pronunciations to reinforce correct sounds.
Pronunciation Apps: Utilize language learning apps that offer interactive pronunciation exercises for /θ/ and /ð/.

By combining these strategies and providing consistent practice, you can effectively teach your students how to produce accurate and natural /θ/ and /ð/ sounds. Remember patience and positive reinforcement are key! Mastering these sounds is a gradual process, requiring dedicated effort and persistent practice.