The Sounds of Aa

Students will learn the sounds of /a/ as fundamental English understanding of how to say, write, or read the letter "Aa" in words. We will not only look at "A", but we will look at what kind of letter A is and the patterns of both consonants and vowels. 

If students can see the patterns of the word, like consonant = C and vowel = A and then distinguish from those patterns what the word reads or how it sounds, then they will be able to distinguish the sounds of /a/ much better. 

I received this request from my TikTok followers who wanted me to teach them English, but at a much lower rate than what they would pay at an English institute here. English institutes, even though they are accredited, will focus primarily on grammar, but phonetics usually is taught within a curriculum instead of as a separate subject. Thus, students who have absolutely no English background, getting them to the level for English Medium college assessments, future job requirements, or ideally ready for TESOL or IELTS when they cannot even read, write or speak, will end up costing them a lot of time, and effort in order to complete and be successful at that level.

I do believe- and studies have shown, that if ESL learners have a strong foundation in phonetics, then when they do step up into more difficult English, that transition will be much easier for them in the long run.  I tend to mix Arabic for my followers who are ESL learners so as to understand the reasoning behind the letters, and the reason a short /a/, long /a/ and schwa /a/ may all look like /a/ but have different sounds. It all boils down to phonetics and once students are able to master all of the letters, their blends and their sounds, they will, with practice learn how to start speaking, reading and writing much more effectively in English. 

We will cover the following topics: 

1. Introduction/NDA

2. Consonants and Vowels (Patterns)

3. Short /a/

4. Word Families of /an/, /at/, /ad/, /ap/, /am/, /ab/, and /ag/

5. Long /a/ with Magic E (root words and non-words)

6. Long /a/ with /ai/ and /ay/

7. Schwa /a/

8. /au/, /aw/

9. /all/ how it sounds like a short /o/.

10. Bossy "R"

11. Exceptions to phonics rules: "rule breakers". 

Like my Policies/Procedures and Induction course, students will be given the optional opportunity to join me on my Facebook page as well as Class Dojo. (Of course, these are additional tools for learning so that students can receive a percentage if they so desire. )

Other Terms and Conditions: 

Currently, I am teaching full-time online, so since this is not just passive income, it is also a means of support. As a licensed American teacher and author, I still want to make sure students are given ample opportunities to practice what they are learning, so I will try to get your messages answered within 24 hours Monday through Thursday and within 48 hours if message is sent after an appointment has been made during the holidays or weekends. 

Business Hours (All Times are GMT+4 Dubai/Muscat Time Zone).

• Monday through Thursday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

• Friday is-Off

• Saturday/Sunday: 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm (appointment only)

• ALL days listed as "OFF" in bold, I will not be accepting appointments on those days.

Days Off for Lady Marissa: 

1. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (In line with some parts of the world where the working week is Sunday to Thursday versus the working week is Monday to Friday.) 

Other Days/Dates (that don't fall over the weekend.)

1. 10 January (DD)- Off

2. 14 February (VD) - Off

3. Spring Break (April 21-24, 2024)

4. Mother's Day in 2024 (May 12-Off)

5. 1 July to 15 July. (4th-Off)

6. 11 October to 18 October. (13th-Off)

7. 18 November (Oman National Day).

8. 18 December to 2 January. (24th to 26th December, and 31st-1 Jan-Off)

If I have been asked to do a seminar not via the net, but in-person, I will announce that date at least two weeks in advance here. (I will not be available if I am working away from my PC, and responses will be answered within 48 hours as if it is a holiday or weekend.)

Should you join my class. You will receive:  

• My email address

• My TikTok Channel

• My YouTube Channel

• My Telegram ID

• My Facebook Page

Also, in order to receive a grade/mark for your work I will invite you to our Class Dojo page. 

You will ALWAYS have access to this course. Once you finish the course and receive your certificate, I will not be able to attend to any questions through the online platform.  However, you are welcome to email me or send me a message on Class Dojo or Facebook at any time to set up an appointment with me.