This document discusses consonant clusters in English and their importance for learners. It defines a consonant cluster as a group of consonants with no vowels between them. Consonant clusters can occur initially, medially, and finally in words. Examples are provided such as "black," "helped," and "texts." The document explains that learning about consonant clusters is important for those learning English as a foreign language and for early readers. Pronouncing consonant clusters correctly is also important for clear communication as they distinguish words, are prevalent in English, and are needed for grammar. Initial and final cluster examples like "stay" and "ask" are provided.

1. UNIVERSIDAD ESPECIALIZADA DE LAS AMERICAS
Facultad de Educación Especial y Pedagogía
Escuela de Pedagogía
Bachelor Degree in English Language Teaching
Subject
Phonology
CONSONANT CLUSTER
Presented by:
Rafael Morales
Professor:
Nelson Martínez
November 25th, 2022

2. Index
1. Definition
2. Why do we learn about consonant clusters?
3. Why are correct consonant clusters
important for clear English?
4. Examples

3. Consonant Cluster
Is a group of consonants with no
vowels between them.
In English consonants are found to be
clustered in word initial, medial and
word final positions.

4. Example of Consonant Cluster.
With 2 Consonant
/bl/ /sk/ /pt/
black desk helped
With 3 Consonant
/str/ /sks/ /kst/
string tasks sixty
With 4 Consonant
/ksts/ /mpst/
texts glimpsed

5. Consonant
Clusters
Word Initial
Clusters
They are: One of
/p,t,k,b,d,g,m,n,l,α, f, v, h, l/
+ one of /l, r, w, j/. as for
example: play, prey, cry, dry,
view, etc.
Word Final
Clusters
/s/ + one of /p, t , k, f, m, n,
l , w, j/. As for
example, speak, sky, stick,
snail, swim, skim, Shrine,
snakes, sticks, sphere, stair,
skeet, slope, snow, etc.
Word Medial
Clusters
Intra-syllabic consonant
cluster
Inter-syllabic cluster
movement /vm/,
description /skr/
import /mp/
blackboard /kb/
extra /kstr/

6. Why do we learn about consonant clusters?
There are two main reasons why consonant
clusters are an important thing to be aware
of.
Consonant clusters
are an important
teaching point is
for those who are
learning English as
a foreign language.
Consonant
clusters are
important for
early readers.

7. Why are correct consonant clusters important
for clear English?
There are a 3 main reasons why
pronouncing consonant clusters correctly is
so important for speaking clear English that
people can understand easily.
Consonant
Clusters Are
Everywhere
Consonant
Clusters
Distinguish
Between Words
Consonant
Clusters Are
Needed For
Grammar

8. Examples
Initial Clusters
• /s/ + consonant (=cc)
• Stay
• Sky
• Small
• Snack
• Slow
• Sphere /sf/
Final Clusters
• ask
• Last
• Went
• Round
• Books
• Help