What Are Consonants clusters?
Consonants clusters are a combination of 2 or more consonants such as gr and cr, but also fr, fl, gl, cl, pr, pl, spr, spl, ks, sk, ts, str etc. First of all though, do you even know what consonants are? Do you know what vowels are. If you don’t, read about first. For many English learners, especially Asian learners, they’re kind of impossible to produce, well at least they seem to be. Don’t worry though because nothing is impossible. I went ahead and wrote a tongue twister for all of you to practice and included an audio for you to listen to and repeat after if you like.
What is the best way to practice Consonants clusters?
I perhaps wouldn’t be able to go through each consonants cluster individually but generally, there is one very important technique that you must learn to use. This technique works as follows: First, you should sound out each consonant on its own. Second, once you are able to sound it out alone, start pronouncing it with another consonant as a “cluster” (combination). So for example, if you’re trying to pronounce the word [green] and you are getting [geen] or [reen] or something worse, pronounce /g/ alone first and then /r/ alone second making sure you are producing both consonants clearly. Third, mix them up together.
Practice This Tongue Twister With IPA.
Grandma Greta and Grandpa Craig
By Patrick Hayeck
Grace and Greg were grieving over the loss of their Grandma Greta and Grandpa Craig.
greɪsən greg wɚ griːvɪŋ oʊvə ðə lɑːsəv ðɚ græma gret̬ə ən græmpə kreɪg
Grace and Greg’s grandpa and grandma were Greek who grew up near the Great Barrier reef.
greɪsən gregz grænma ən græmpə wɝ griːk hu gruːwʌp nir ðə greɪʔ bæriɚ riːf.
On a grim and gloomy Sunday morning, Grandma Greta grabbed some green grapes and gobbled them
ɑnə grɪmən gluːmi sʌndeɪ mɔːrnɪŋ, græmə gret̬ə græbd səm griːn greɪpsən gɑbəldəm
greedily. “Good grief Grandma Greta “said Grandpa Craig, “go easy on the green grapes”,
griːdəli. gʊd griːf græma gret̬ə sed græmpə kreɪg, goʊwiːzijʌnə griːn greɪps.
but Grandma Greta was clearly craving for green grapes. “Should I grab you some grub
bʌʔ græmə gret̬ə wəz kliːrli kreɪvɪŋ fɚ griːn greɪps. ʃʊt̬ aɪ græb ju səm grʌb
Grandma Greta” grinned Grandpa Craig. “Great! grilled potatoes with sour cream grandpa Craig
græmə gret̬ə grɪnd græmpə kreɪg. greɪt! grɪld pət̬eɪt̬oʊz wəð saʊɚ kriːm græmpə kreɪg
please” gratefully replied Grandma Greta. Grandpa Craig grabbed his crane and groped his way
pliːz greɪtfəli rəplaɪd græmə gret̬ə. græmpə kreɪg græbdəz kreɪnən groʊptəz weɪ
to the kitchen. In the meantime, Grandma Greta choked on a green grape and could not cry for
tə ðə kɪtʃən. ənə miːntaɪm, græmə gret̬ə tʃoʊktʌnə griːn greɪpən kʊd nɑʔ kraɪ fɚ
help while , Grandpa Craig, feeling groggy, loosened his grip on the crane and fell on the
help waɪᵊl græmpə kreɪg, fiːlɪŋ grɑːgi, luːsəndəz grɪpʌnə kreɪnən felʌnə
granite. Grandma Greta died from a green grape craving and Grandpa Craig died from grabbing
grænɪʔ. græmə gret̬ə daɪd frəmə griːn greɪp creɪvɪŋ ænd græmpə kreɪg daɪd frəm græbɪŋ
grandma’s grub, grogginess and fainting. Oh! What a crappy and gruesome way to go to the grave
græməz grʌb, grɑgɪnəsən feɪntɪŋ. oʊ! wʌt̬ə kræpijən gruːsəm weɪt̬ə goʊt̬ə ðə greɪv
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