The "TH" sound is one of the most unique features of English, and it actually comes in two varieties: Voiceless (/θ/) and Voiced (/ð/). Both sounds use the same physical position, which is the key to mastering them!
How to Position Your Tongue
To make both sounds, gently place the tip of your tongue between your upper and lower front teeth. Don't bite down! Just let the air flow over your tongue.
1. The Voiceless "TH" (/θ/)
Think of this as a "whisper" sound. No vibration happens in your throat; it is just air passing through.
Examples:Think, Three, Bath, Mouth.
2. The Voiced "TH" (/ð/)
This sound uses your vocal cords. If you touch your throat, you should feel a "buzzing" or vibration.
Examples:This, That, They, Mother.
Tip: If you’re struggling, try making an "s" or "f" sound and then slowly move your tongue forward until it touches your teeth.
{
"title": "Mastering the TH Sound: Voiced and Voiceless",
"instructions": "Listen carefully to the audio, record your pronunciation, choose the correct words in the minimal pairs, and arrange the sentences correctly.",
"language": "en-US",
"activities": [
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "Thank you very much.",
"phoneticHint": "θæŋk ju ˈvɛri mʌʧ",
"translation": "ขอบคุณมาก"
},
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "I think so.",
"phoneticHint": "aɪ θɪŋk soʊ",
"translation": "ฉันคิดว่าอย่างนั้น"
},
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "This is my brother.",
"phoneticHint": "ðɪs ɪz maɪ ˈbrʌðər",
"translation": "นี่คือพี่ชายของฉัน"
},
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "That is a big dog.",
"phoneticHint": "ðæt ɪz ə bɪg dɔg",
"translation": "นั่นคือหมาตัวใหญ่"
},
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "They are playing.",
"phoneticHint": "ðeɪ ɑr ˈpleɪɪŋ",
"translation": "พวกเขากำลังเล่น"
},
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "I need three apples.",
"phoneticHint": "aɪ nid θri ˈæpəlz",
"translation": "ฉันต้องการแอปเปิ้ลสามลูก"
},
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "Wash your mouth.",
"phoneticHint": "wɔʃ jʊr maʊθ",
"translation": "ล้างปากของคุณ"
},
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "Look at the weather.",
"phoneticHint": "lʊk æt ðə ˈwɛðər",
"translation": "ดูสภาพอากาศสิ"
},
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "My mother is here.",
"phoneticHint": "maɪ ˈmʌðər ɪz hɪr",
"translation": "แม่ของฉันอยู่ที่นี่"
},
{
"type": "listen_record",
"targetText": "Throw the ball.",
"phoneticHint": "θroʊ ðə bɔl",
"translation": "ขว้างลูกบอล"
},
{
"type": "minimal_pair",
"focus": "Consonant /t/ vs /θ/",
"options": [
"tree",
"three"
],
"correctAnswer": "three"
},
{
"type": "minimal_pair",
"focus": "Consonant /t/ vs /θ/",
"options": [
"tick",
"thick"
],
"correctAnswer": "thick"
},
{
"type": "minimal_pair",
"focus": "Consonant /d/ vs /ð/",
"options": [
"day",
"they"
],
"correctAnswer": "they"
},
{
"type": "minimal_pair",
"focus": "Consonant /d/ vs /ð/",
"options": [
"dare",
"there"
],
"correctAnswer": "there"
},
{
"type": "minimal_pair",
"focus": "Consonant /s/ vs /θ/",
"options": [
"sink",
"think"
],
"correctAnswer": "think"
},
{
"type": "scramble",
"audioText": "This thing is thin.",
"words": [
"This",
"thing",
"is",
"thin."
],
"distractors": [
"tin",
"din"
]
},
{
"type": "scramble",
"audioText": "They think about it.",
"words": [
"They",
"think",
"about",
"it."
],
"distractors": [
"day",
"sink"
]
},
{
"type": "scramble",
"audioText": "My mother is there.",
"words": [
"My",
"mother",
"is",
"there."
],
"distractors": [
"mudder",
"their"
]
}
]
}
