Look for these common patterns:

Read these words aloud after your teacher. Notice how the long vowel sounds stretch out:

• ea words: hear, deep, feel, heal, beach
• oo words: fool, pool, food, moon, school
• ar words: park, hard, dark, arm, car
• or words: port, door, born, fork, horse
• ir words: bird, girl, first, third, shirt

It is important to tell the difference between short and long vowels. Compare these pairs:

Read these sentences carefully. Notice the long vowel words:

1. I saw a ship. → I saw a sheep on the ship.
2. Tutu likes to bet. → Tutu likes to beat his drum.
3. The pot is full. → The port is full of boats.
4. The cat is in the car. → The cart is in the yard.

• Listen first – Hear the word said by your teacher
• Repeat slowly – Say each word clearly, then faster
• Use the patterns – Remember that two vowels together often make a long sound
• Practice in groups – Read with your classmates and help each other
• Read every day – The more you practice, the faster you become

Look at this sentence from the textbook:

I saw a goat and a foal in a boat.

• goat has the long /əʊ/ sound (oa)
• foal has the long /əʊ/ sound (oa)
• boat has the long /əʊ/ sound (oa)

Read the sentence aloud three times. Each time, try to say it a little faster while keeping all the words clear.

Read these word pairs aloud. Say the long vowel sound clearly in the second word:

• pot – port
• not – note
• hat – hart (hard)
• bit – beat
• sit – seat

When you go to the market in Tanzania, you will hear and use long vowel sounds. For example, when buying mkunde (cowpeas) at the sokoni, you might hear someone say "Bei ya mkojo ni elfu moja" — the words "mkojo" and "elefu" both have long vowel sounds. Being able to read and say these words clearly helps you understand prices and communicate well with sellers and buyers.