Conquer the ‘E long E’ sound in ‘hero’: Download free word list and worksheet

Study Zone Institute July 20, 2024 Free Resources

The letter ‘E long E’ sound is a cornerstone in English phonics. It’s that pure, drawn-out E sound you hear in words like ‘be’, ‘she’, and ‘hero’. While seemingly simple, this sound presents a unique challenge for young learners and English Language Learners (ELLs).

The letter E can be quite tricky. While it often represents the long E sound as in ‘me’, it can also make the short E sound as in ‘egg’ or ‘net’. This duality can be confusing. To combat this, we recommend utilising our free downloadable word list and worksheet focussed on the letter ‘E long E’ sound. This resource exposes children to numerous words featuring this specific spelling pattern, reinforcing the connection between the letter E and its long E pronunciation during the decoding process.

Why learn letter ‘E long E’ pronunciation?

Why is this so important? Understanding phonics, the relationship between letters and sounds, is far more effective than rote memorisation.

By learning to decode words based on their letter-sound correspondence, children and ELLs develop a transferable skill that empowers them to read new words independently. This approach is significantly more efficient than relying solely on repeated exposure through reading, a strategy that might not work for all children, especially those with limited access to books.

Our letter ‘E long E’ sound resources offer a targeted approach to mastering these tricky words. By proactively teaching these words, we equip learners with essential building blocks for reading fluency and comprehension. This foundational knowledge will undoubtedly benefit them as they encounter more complex texts in the future.

So, let’s unlock the potential of the letter ‘E long E’ sound together!

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