SOUNDS: schwa
Schwa /ə/
• The schwa is the most common vowel sound in English.
• It is always unstressed, short, and relaxed.
• The tongue stays in the middle of the mouth, and the lips are neutral.
Examples in words:
1. about → /əˈbaʊt/ (the first “a”)
2. banana → /bəˈnænə/ (first and last “a”)
3. teacher → /ˈtiːtʃər/ (the “er”)
4. problem → /ˈprɒbləm/ (the “em”)
5. support → /səˈpɔːt/ (the “su”)
Download Audio (RM_A1_Pron_1_2)
1 ✓ drive driver
2 play ✓ player
3 teach ✓ teacher
4 work ✓ worker
5 drive ✓ driver
6 ✓ play player
7 ✓ teach teacher
8 ✓ work worker
The suffix -er is pronounced /ə/ (schwa). This is especially important for listening,
because it can be difficult to hear. For example, there is often very little audible difference between good work and good worker.
Speak schwa /ə/
1 Look at the photos.
2 What can you see?
3 Where are the photos?
4 Are there any flats for us?
5 Is there a lift?
6 What’s in the living room?
7 A bedroom and a bathroom.
8 Ten minutes to the station.
/ə/ is a very short sound, pronounced with very little energy, and can be difficult to hear. It can even disappear completely, for example in can you see or station.
