Mastering Silent Letters in English Pronunciation: Tips for Teachers & Learners
Silent letters in English can be a real challenge for learners—but they can also be a fun and engaging part of language learning when taught creatively. If you’re an ESL student or an English teacher preparing for CELTA or TESOL certification, understanding and practicing silent letters will help improve pronunciation, spelling, and listening skills.
What Are Silent Letters?
Silent letters are letters in a word that are written but not pronounced. For example, in knight, the “k” is silent. They appear in many parts of the word—beginning, middle, or end—and often follow no strict rules. Over half the alphabet can be silent in different words, making them a frequent challenge for English learners.
Why Teach Silent Letters?
For learners:
Improves pronunciation and fluency.
Enhances spelling accuracy.
Builds listening comprehension.
For teachers:
Adds variety to pronunciation lessons.
Offers opportunities for interactive games and group activities
Common Silent Letters and Examples
Silent E
sincere → sincerely, force → forceful
Drop the “e” if the suffix starts with a vowel: fame → famous, criticise → criticism
Silent N – autumn, hymn, column
Silent D – Wednesday, badge, handkerchief
Silent G – gnome, sign, foreigner
Silent U – guitar, biscuit, rogue
Silent H – honest, ghost, rhythm
Silent T – castle, listen, mortgage
Silent K – knife, knock, knew
Silent B – thumb, doubt, plumber
Silent L – calm, salmon, walk
Silent W – write, wrist, sword
Classroom Activities for Teaching Silent Letters
Matching Game – Match the word to the correct picture.
Silent Letter Hunt – Students find silent letters in a text.
Pronunciation Quiz – Groups read aloud mixed silent letter words.
Role-Play & Storytelling – Use new vocabulary in short dialogues.
Homework Challenge – Identify 5 new silent letter words in everyday life.
Tips for Teachers
Introduce silent letters gradually.
Group words by letter type (e.g., all “kn” words).
Use visuals, phonetic transcriptions, and gestures.
Keep lessons fun with competitions and creative challenges.
Tips for Teachers
Introduce silent letters gradually.
Group words by letter type (e.g., all “kn” words).
Use visuals, phonetic transcriptions, and gestures.
Keep lessons fun with competitions and creative challenges.
Ready to take your English teaching skills to the next level?
Join our CELTA and TESOL courses at Eton Institute and learn advanced strategies for teaching pronunciation effectively.
