In a word with more than one syllable, one syllable is often more prominent.
Learn stress together with a reliable pronunciation model.
A dictionary can show the stressed syllable.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
TAble has initial stress in the usual teaching model.
Moderate / Add a little
beGIN has stress on the second syllable.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
In a word with more than one syllable, one syllable is often more prominent. Learn stress together with a reliable pronunciation model. A dictionary can show the stressed syllable. Avoid guessing that the first syllable is always stressed or giving every syllable equal force. Use the word in a phrase after practice.
English speech gives different prominence to different words and syllables. Use stress to make a word recognisable and to highlight important information in a sentence. Rhythm is not a demand to speak like a machine; it emerges from meaningful grouping and emphasis. Listen to a complete phrase, identify its main information and practise it naturally. Regional variation is acceptable when the message remains clear. Avoid removing small grammar words merely because they are less prominent.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
Practise the whole unit and receive a separate answer or model guide.
Prominent words show the information the listener should notice.
A sentence can change emphasis without changing its words.
Contrastive stress identifies a correction or distinction.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
I wanted the BLUE folder, not the green one.
Moderate / Add a little
SHE will lead the group, not her brother.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
Prominent words show the information the listener should notice. A sentence can change emphasis without changing its words. Contrastive stress identifies a correction or distinction. Practise the message in context so the emphasis has a reason; stressing every word equally can hide the important point.
English speech gives different prominence to different words and syllables. Use stress to make a word recognisable and to highlight important information in a sentence. Rhythm is not a demand to speak like a machine; it emerges from meaningful grouping and emphasis. Listen to a complete phrase, identify its main information and practise it naturally. Regional variation is acceptable when the message remains clear. Avoid removing small grammar words merely because they are less prominent.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
Practise the whole unit and receive a separate answer or model guide.
Group words that belong together in meaning, with pauses at sensible boundaries.
In natural speech, words influence each other, but clarity remains the aim.
Do not pause after every word or remove necessary words to sound fast.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
After the lesson / we will meet outside the hall.
Moderate / Add a little
The short phrase in a minute is spoken as a connected unit.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
Group words that belong together in meaning, with pauses at sensible boundaries. In natural speech, words influence each other, but clarity remains the aim. Do not pause after every word or remove necessary words to sound fast. A listener should hear complete meaningful phrases rather than a disconnected list.
English speech gives different prominence to different words and syllables. Use stress to make a word recognisable and to highlight important information in a sentence. Rhythm is not a demand to speak like a machine; it emerges from meaningful grouping and emphasis. Listen to a complete phrase, identify its main information and practise it naturally. Regional variation is acceptable when the message remains clear. Avoid removing small grammar words merely because they are less prominent.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
Practise the whole unit and receive a separate answer or model guide.
The paid worksheet brings together all the lessons in this unit. A separate answer or model guide is included. Page count depends on the skills and activities.
Teachers can use our website to teach, plan and prepare their own lessons, and find practice worksheets and term-test papers. Children and adults can study independently, complete activities and build confidence for examinations. Parents can guide practice at home.
Download the clearly labelled free worksheets and papers. Released free sample worksheet answers stay free. Extra worksheets and separate paper guides may carry charges when listed; confirm coverage, availability, charges and delivery before payment.