Story time (connected speech)
One day Sparky the star found a lion. Next to it was a leaf and a lemon. "Wow!" said Sparky. Then Sparky saw a ladybug and a lollipop. What a great day!
L
L sound /l/
Tongue tip up behind the top teeth, voice flowing around the sides.
American English pronunciation model · voiced · tongue tip (alveolar) · lateral approximant · spellings: l, ll
This page practises English sounds — the words and sentences stay in English on purpose.
Watch how to make this sound
/l/ · Sideways air sound
Articulation visual awaiting professional review — not yet checked by a speech and language therapist.
Voice on · feel the buzz · Airflow
Lift your tongue tip behind the top teeth; air passes around its sides.
The tongue tip contacts the ridge while air passes beside the tongue.
Movement 1/3: Tip meets ridge
The camera view stays on this device. Nothing is recorded, saved or uploaded.
How to Make the Sound
/l/
Voice switched ON
Put your hand on your throat — you should feel a buzz.
Remember it: Lifting sound — tongue tip up and sing.
- Tongue
- The tongue tip lifts up to the ridge behind the top teeth and stays there. The voice flows out around the sides of the tongue.
- Lips and jaw
- Lips relaxed and open — not rounded; jaw open.
- Air
- Voice and air flow around the sides of the tongue.
Step by step
- Open your mouth.
- Lift your tongue tip up behind your top teeth.
- Sing with your voice on — lll, la-la-la.
More than one right way: At the ends of words ("ball") British English often uses a "dark L" made further back, and many accents (including London English) vocalise it so it sounds like a vowel ("baw"). This is normal for many children's accents. Target the L your child hears around them.
Common difficulties and gentle help
- Sounds like /w/ or /j/ ("yeg" or "weg" for "leg"). Use a mirror to see the tongue tip go up. Keep the lips relaxed, not rounded.
- Tongue tip stays down. A little dab of something tasty on the ridge behind the top teeth can show where the tip goes.
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
/l/
Tongue tip up behind your teeth and sing: lalala.
Hear yourself
This device can't record audio, so listening back isn't available here. Practise with the model sounds instead.
2. Syllables
la
lee
lo
loo
li
ala
eela
ola
al
eel
ol
Initial position
lion
/l/ · initial
“my lion”
leaf
/l/ · initial
“my leaf”
lemon
/l/ · initial
“my lemon”
ladybug
/l/ · initial
“my ladybug”
lollipop
/l/ · initial
“my lollipop”
log
/l/ · initial
“my log”
Medial position
balloon
/l/ · medial
“my balloon”
yellow
/l/ · medial
“my yellow”
melon
/l/ · medial
“my melon”
pillow
/l/ · medial
“my pillow”
koala
/l/ · medial
“my koala”
Final position
ball
/l/ · final
“my ball”
bell
/l/ · final
“my bell”
owl
/l/ · final
“my owl”
snail
/l/ · final
“my snail”
whale
/l/ · final
“my whale”
Blends
flower
/l/ · in /fl/ blend
“my flower”
clock
/l/ · in /kl/ blend
“my clock”
plane
/l/ · in /pl/ blend
“my plane”
blue
/l/ · in /bl/ blend
“my blue”
glove
/l/ · in /gl/ blend
“my glove”
slide
/l/ · in /sl/ blend
“my slide”
Short phrases
- my lion
- my leaf
- my lemon
- my ladybug
- my lollipop
- my log
- my balloon
- my yellow
- my melon
- my pillow
- my koala
- my ball
Sentences
- I can see the lion.
- I can see the leaf.
- I can see the lemon.
- I can see the ladybug.
- I can see the lollipop.
- I can see the log.
- I can see the balloon.
- I can see the yellow.
- I can see the melon.
- I can see the pillow.