Weak Forms
Sounding natural in connected speech
A ready-to-teach B1+/B2 pronunciation lesson on weak forms: how small words change in natural, connected speech.
Students learn what weak forms are, why they matter for listening as well as speaking, and how schwa powers almost all of them. Four word banks cover 20+ function words (articles and prepositions, conjunctions, auxiliaries and modals, have, do and pronouns), and the golden rules show exactly when to use the strong form instead. Real sentences with phonemic transcription lead into three exercises: find the weak forms, choose strong or weak, and mark up and read a dialogue. A memory toolkit and a free-conversation task close the lesson.
What's inside
- 20 colourful slides to project, with answer keys straight after each exercise
- Four word banks with weak form, strong form and example sentences
- Golden rules for strong forms and listen-and-notice sentences in IPA
- Three exercises, a memory toolkit, a pair speaking task and a quick reference card
Level: B1+ / B2 · Time: 45–60 minutes · Prep: none. Project and teach; you model the sounds yourself, so no audio is needed.
Please note: this is a slides-only lesson, without a separate printable worksheet. It is also part of the Pronunciation Toolkit bundle of 16 lessons.
Licensed to the purchaser for classroom use. Please do not share or resell.
