Unit 1: Vowels /iː/ & /ɪ/
Master the long /iː/ and short /ɪ/ vowels with confidence.
课程
Unit 1 Guide: /iː/ & /ɪ/
Welcome! In this unit you'll meet two of the most commonly confused vowels in English: /iː/ (long, tense) and /ɪ/ (short, relaxed).
Why this matters
These two sounds carry meaning. Mixing them up can change a word entirely — sheep vs ship, beach vs the much rougher bitch, leave vs live. Native listeners notice the difference instantly, so getting it right makes you clearer and more confident.
What you'll learn
- The exact mouth, tongue and lip position for each vowel.
- How length and tension distinguish them — it's not only duration.
- How to hear and produce minimal pairs without hesitation.
How to study
- Watch the mouth-shape diagrams carefully for each sound.
- Listen to the sample audio and shadow it out loud.
- Drill the example words until they feel natural.
- Finish with the minimal-pair discrimination test to lock it in.
Take your time — small, daily practice beats one long session. Let's begin!