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American English Vowel Sounds: /æ/, AA as in BLACK

In this lesson you will learn everything you need to know about pronouncing the /æ/, AA as in BLACK vowel in American English.

Here’s what we will cover:

1) Exactly how to move the mouth to make this sound

2) Minimal pair listening practice to help you differentiate /æ/, AA as in BLACK from /ɛ/, EH as in RED

3) Imitation of this sound in words and sentences

CLARITY KICKSTART STUDENTS: Minimal pairs begin at 2:39 and end at 7:00.

Practice words and sentences from the lesson:

Ask

Can I ask you something?

I forgot to ask.

Fast

That was fast.

I need this done fast.

After

I’ll call you after the meeting

Let’s talk after lunch.

Matter

It doesn’t matter.

What’s the matter?

Actually

What actually happened?

It was actually pretty amazing.

Family

She has a big family.

Land

What time do you land?

Damage

There’s a lot of damage.

Sample

Can I try a sample?

Handle

I can handle it.

Bank

I need to stop by the bank.

Thank

Thanks so much!

Hang

Can you hang on a minute?


Continue your practice with this list of

50 Super Common /æ/, AA as in BLACK Words

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

that

after

actually

half

happy

have

last

plan

practice

exactly

than

ask

class

land

answer

bag

family

perhaps

catch

staff

laugh

happen

pass

chance

standard

can

national

value

plant

analysis

fast

fact

international

past

glass

man

black

action

natural

financial

back

stand

tax

animal

act

bad

add

matter

factor

strategy


Grab a PDF of the practice list here:

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