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Phonetics and the IPA, Taught not just answered.
A real-time, 1:1 lesson on Phonetics and the IPA: an AI teacher explains it out loud while it visualizes every step. Interrupt it, ask why, and it checks you got it, in 26 languages.
The idea
What is Phonetics and the IPA?
Phonetics is the study of speech sounds, how they are made in the mouth, how they travel as sound and how they are heard, and the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is the standard set of symbols for writing them down. Each symbol stands for exactly one sound, so the symbol for 'sh' is always the sound in ship no matter how a language spells it. Consonants are described by place, manner and voicing; vowels by tongue height, backness and lip rounding.
Where it appears: University linguistics and English language degrees, A Level English Language, TESOL and CELTA training, speech therapy courses.
Where learners get stuck
Why Phonetics and the IPA is hard
English spelling hides its sounds, so learners trust letters over ears. Telling voiced from voiceless pairs, hearing vowel differences like ship and sheep, and reading unfamiliar symbols all take practice.
The picture a good explanation starts with: A side-view diagram of the mouth with lips, teeth, alveolar ridge, palate, velum and glottis labelled, and consonant symbols placed at the spot where each sound is made.
A lesson, step by step
How a lesson on Phonetics and the IPA goes
01
Ask
Type or say "Why does the IPA have so many symbols for vowels?" in your own words, in any of 26 languages.
02
Plan
The tutor plans a storyboard, one picture per idea, starting with a side-view diagram of the mouth with lips, teeth, alveolar ridge, palate, velum and glottis labelled, and consonant symbols placed at the spot where each sound is made.
03
Explain
It explains Phonetics and the IPA out loud while the picture builds step by step, pitched to your level (University linguistics and English language degrees and up).
04
Interrupt
Say "wait, why?" or type a doubt: it stops, answers over the picture, and carries on. Ask for a different explanation any time.
05
Check
A checkpoint question makes sure the idea landed, and Tests keep the practice going.
06
Your notes
Upload a PDF or a photo of your class notes or a past paper and the lesson follows your textbook's terms.
Ask it anything
Questions learners ask about Phonetics and the IPA
- Why does the IPA have so many symbols for vowels?
- How do I tell a voiced sound from a voiceless one?
- What do place and manner of articulation mean?
Any of these, or your own, typed or spoken. The tutor answers on the picture and adapts to how well you are following.
Questions
Asked, Answered
Can LetMeTeach explain Phonetics and the IPA?
Yes. Ask in your own words and the tutor plans a lesson on Phonetics and the IPA: it starts with a side-view diagram of the mouth with lips, teeth, alveolar ridge, palate, velum and glottis labelled, and consonant symbols placed at the spot where each sound is made. Then it explains each step out loud as the picture builds, stops when you say "wait, why?", and ends with a checkpoint question.
Where does Phonetics and the IPA come up?
University linguistics and English language degrees, A Level English Language, TESOL and CELTA training, speech therapy courses. The lesson is pitched to your level and the exam or curriculum you follow, and you can upload your own notes or past papers so it uses your textbook's terms.
Can I learn Phonetics and the IPA in my own language?
Yes. LetMeTeach teaches in 26 languages and plans the lesson in the language you choose rather than translating an English one, so the terms match what your textbook says. The Free plan includes 7 hours a month with no card.
Last updated
Learn Phonetics and the IPA, Starting now.
Ask "Why does the IPA have so many symbols for vowels?" and watch the answer drawn. The Free plan needs no card.