Learning English Pronunciation: Learning Phonics – short ‘o’ sound

Welcome to Learning Phonics! This lesson is your next step toward mastering the short “o” sound (/ɒ/), a crucial component of English pronunciation. With interactive exercises, engaging audio, and fun activities, you’ll enhance your reading, writing, and speaking skills. Let’s dive in! 🎉

1. What is the Short “O” Sound?

The short “o” sound is pronounced as /ɒ/ (as in dog, fox, or pot). This sound is characterized by a rounded mouth shape and a deep, resonant quality. It appears frequently in CVC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant) words and is essential for clear, effective communication in English.

2. How to Produce the Short “O” Sound

Follow these steps to master the short “o” sound:

Rounded Lips 😄: Begin by slightly rounding your lips as if you’re about to blow a gentle kiss.
Moderate Mouth Opening 😋: Open your mouth moderately—enough to produce the sound without overextending.
Tongue Position 👅: Keep your tongue relaxed and low in your mouth, allowing it to rest comfortably.
Short and Deep 🎯: The sound should be brief, deep, and resonant. Avoid elongating it.
Mirror Practice 🪞: Practice in front of a mirror to observe and perfect your mouth movements.

3. Short “O” Sound Practice Words

Practice these CVC words featuring the short “o” sound.
Listen and repeat aloud to improve your pronunciation!

4. Short “O” Rhyming Words

Rhyming words help reinforce your learning and make practice more enjoyable!
Listen and repeat aloud to reinforce your skills!

5. Fun Phonics Sentence Practice

Listen and repeat these engaging sentences to master the short “o” sound!

The dog runs fast. 🐶
The fox hops on the log. 🦊
Bob got a pot. 🍲
Mom drops the mop. 🧹
The box is on the top. 📦
Don nods at the dog. 👍
Rob sat on the cot. 🛏️
The dog digs a hole. ⛏️
Tom jogs to the shop. 🏃‍♂️
The clock ticks on the wall. ⏰
The dog barks at the fog. 🌫️
Rob got a rock. 🪨
The fox pops out of the box. 📦
Bob’s hot dog is on the dock. 🚢
The cop stops the robber. 👮
Jon got a sock. 🧦
The log falls in the pond. 🐟
Rob’s dog got a drop of water. 💧
The fox and the dog run. 🏃‍♀️🐶
Tom dropped the box on the block. 📦

6. Conclusion

🎉 Excellent work! You’ve mastered the short “o” sound and learned how to recognize it in everyday words and sentences. Keep your skills sharp by:

Listening to audio examples.
Repeating words and sentences aloud.
Identifying new short “o” words during your daily conversations.

In our next lesson, we’ll explore another exciting sound to further build your English phonics skills. Remember: consistent practice leads to mastery! 😊