Story time (connected speech)
One day Sparky the star found a key. Next to it was a cat and a cake. "Wow!" said Sparky. Then Sparky saw a car and a cookie. What a great day!
K
K sound /k/
A back sound made by lifting the back of the tongue. Spelt with K, C or CK.
American English pronunciation model · voiceless · back of tongue (velar) · stop · spellings: k, c, ck, ch
This page practises English sounds — the words and sentences stay in English on purpose.
Watch how to make this sound
/k/ · Quiet back sound
Articulation visual awaiting professional review — not yet checked by a speech and language therapist.
Voice off · no buzz · Airflow
Lift the back of your tongue to the soft palate, then release.
The back of the tongue makes the closure. The tongue tip stays low.
Movement 1/3: Back of tongue lifts
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How to Make the Sound
/k/
Voice switched OFF
Put your hand on your throat — it should stay still and quiet. Only air.
Remember it: Back sound — a quiet little cough at the back of the mouth.
- Tongue
- The back of the tongue lifts up and touches the soft part at the back of the roof of the mouth. The tip stays down behind the bottom teeth.
- Lips and jaw
- Mouth open; jaw relaxed.
- Air
- Air is stopped at the back, then released in a quiet burst.
Step by step
- Keep your tongue tip down behind your bottom teeth.
- Lift the back of your tongue up.
- Let go with a puff — k.
Common difficulties and gentle help
- Sounds like /t/ ("tup" for "cup") — called fronting. Try lying back so the tongue falls backwards, or gently keep the tongue tip down. Fronting is common in young children; ask your therapist whether to target it yet.
- Leaving the sound off word ends. Exaggerate the final /k/ at first ("boo-k").
Step up gradually
- 1. Sound on its own
- 2. Syllables
- 3. Words
- 4. Phrases
- 5. Sentences
- 6. Everyday talk
A sound can be easier on its own than in connected speech. Move on only when your child is saying it accurately and feels ready — not just because a worksheet is finished. Read the Parent Guide
1. Sound in isolation
/k/
Back of the tongue goes up, then a little cough-like burst: k-k-k.
Hear yourself
This device can't record audio, so listening back isn't available here. Practise with the model sounds instead.
2. Syllables
ka
kee
ko
koo
ki
aka
eeka
oka
ak
eek
ok
Initial position
key
/k/ · initial
“my key”
cat
/k/ · initial
“my cat”
cake
/k/ · initial
“my cake”
car
/k/ · initial
“my car”
cookie
/k/ · initial
“my cookie”
kangaroo
/k/ · initial
“my kangaroo”
Medial position
chicken
/k/ · medial
“my chicken”
rocket
/k/ · medial
“my rocket”
monkey
/k/ · medial
“my monkey”
bucket
/k/ · medial
“my bucket”
Final position
book
/k/ · final
“my book”
duck
/k/ · final
“my duck”
sock
/k/ · final
“my sock”
milk
/k/ · final
“my milk”
truck
/k/ · final
“my truck”
Short phrases
- my key
- my cat
- my cake
- my car
- my cookie
- my kangaroo
- my chicken
- my rocket
- my monkey
- my bucket
- my book
- my duck
Sentences
- I can see the key.
- I can see the cat.
- I can see the cake.
- I can see the car.
- I can see the cookie.
- I can see the kangaroo.
- I can see the chicken.
- I can see the rocket.
- I can see the monkey.
- I can see the bucket.