English spelling can be a real challenge for young learners and people learning English as a Second Language (ESL). One such hurdle is the way we represent sounds with letters. Take the long I sound, for instance. It can be spelled in various ways, and the combination IE is one …

The way the letter ‘I’ works in English can be confusing, especially for young learners and ESL students who are just starting to sound out words. One of the early hurdles encountered is the ‘I long I’ sound. Unlike some letters with a more consistent sound, the letter ‘I’ can …

English can be a puzzle for young learners and those new to the language. Take the letter Y! It can be the “you” sound, the long “i” in “fly”, and even the short “i” in “myth”. But Y has another trick up its sleeve: it can make the long E …

The tricky English language can confuse young learners and those studying English as a Second Language (ESL). One such challenge is the IE spelling, which can represent two distinct sounds: the long E and the long I. While “tie”, “pie”, and “lie” showcase the long I sound, “field”, “achieve”, and …

The English language can be a tricky beast for young learners and even grown-up foreign speakers. One of those tricky spots is the long E sound, which can be spelled in many ways. While EE and Y are common culprits, the pattern ‘EY long E’ sound combination also joins the …