LISTEN
/ə/.../ə/.../ə/.../ə/...

about...undo...wanted...certain...

WHAT IS IT?
Pronunciation:
The vowel /ə/ (called "Schwa") is a central, mid, lax vowel. It is a reduced vowel, which means it is shorter and quicker than other vowels and only appears in unstressed syllables. This vowel is found in most unstressed syllables in English.
  • Your lips should be relaxed and slightly open, not rounded or spread.
  • Let your tongue rest in the center of your mouth, without touching any part of your mouth.
  • Breathe out, and let your vocal cords vibrate. Pronounce the vowel quickly and softly.

Spelling:
  • "a" - about, majority
  • "o"- official, lion
  • "u" - undo, medium
  • "e" - different, wanted
  • "i" - family, reality
  • "io" - mission, condition 
  • "ai" - certain, mountain
  • "ia" - special, essential

Grammar Tip:
In addition to unstressed syllables within words,  /ə/ is often used in a certain set of words called "function words" (or "structure words"). These are words that carry grammatical meaning within a sentence. They are often spoken quickly with reduced vowels in conversational English.
  • Articles: a, an, the
  • Prepositions: of, to, for, at
  • Conjunctions: or, and
  • Pronouns: him, her, them, you, some
  • Auxiliary verbs: do, can, have

Listen to these sentences. The underlined words are function words. Notice how the function words are pronounced with /ə/ instead of a full vowel,
function_words_with_schwa.mp3
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  • Have you told him the news?
  • I can come to the party with him.
  • Jeff and I took them some cake.

COMPARE
Compare /ə/ with /ʌ/:
compare_schwa-uh_1.mp3
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/ə/.../ʌ/.../ə/.../ʌ/.../ə/.../ʌ/...

These are both central, mid, lax vowels. However, ​​/ə/ is a reduced vowel and /ʌ/ is a full vowel. This means that /ə/ is shorter and softer than /ʌ/.

You will hear 2 words. Listen and identify which word has /ə/ as the underlined sound. Choose A or B. You will hear each set of words twice, followed by the answer.
compare_schwa-uh_2.mp3
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1. A. Monday, B. mundane​
2. A. suffer, B. suffice
3. A. supply, B. supper
4. A. collect, B. color
5. A. upward, B. upon

Compare Word Forms:
​A stressed syllable in a word may become unstressed when a suffix is added to the word, which changes the word stress. Listen to these examples. Notice how the underlined full vowel becomes the reduced vowel /ə/ when the suffix is added.
compare_schwa_word_forms_1.mp3
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  • office --> official
  • major --> majority
  • biology --> biological
Practice listening to words with /ə/ and with a full vowel. You'll see an underlined vowel in each word. Decide which word has /ə/ as the underlined vowel. Choose A or B. You will hear each set of words twice, followed by the answer.
compare_schwa_word_forms_2.mp3
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1. A. strategy, B. strategic
2. A. stability, B. stable
3. A. photograph, B. photography​
4. A. period, B. periodic
5. A. consult, B. consultation​

PRACTICE
Listen and repeat these words:
words_with_schwa.mp3
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1. sofa
2. about
3. undo
4. umbrella
5. unlucky
6. potato
7. motion
8. wanted
9. lion
10. method
11. collectio​n
12. uncertain
13. stability
14. magazine
15. industry
16. perio​d
17. avoidance
18. photography
19. additional
20. uncomfortable

Now, practice /ə/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences. (Remember that in a sentence, some function words will also have /ə/.)
sentences_with_schwa.mp3
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1. family - support - decision - abroad
His family doesn't support his decision to go abroad.
2. important - complete - assignments
It's important for you to complete all your assignments.
3. helpful - collect - supplies
Before you start a project, it's helpful to collect all your supplies.
4. apartment - beautiful - colorful
Your apartment is so beautiful and colorful!
5. uncomfortable - about - personal - problems
I'm uncomfortable talking about personal problems.
6. somebody - applied - position
​Somebody told me that you applied for a new position at work​​.

USE IT!
​​Practice the task below. Then, record yourself completing that task. Give your recording to a teacher or an English-speaking friend for feedback.

Prepare:
What topics do you talk about with strangers?
  • Religion
  • Political opinions
  •  The problems of society
  • Personal problems
  • Your salary and finances
  • Your relationships
  • Current news
  • Technology
  • Your education
  • Activities that you enjoy
  • Religion
  • Political opinions
  •  The problems of society
  • Personal problems
  • Your salary and finances
  • Your relationships
  • Current news
  • Technology
  • Your education
  • Activities that you enjoy​

​Record:
Imagine you are giving advice to a shy friend who wants to have better conversations with strangers. Tell them which topics are good for conversation and which topics are bad for conversation. Explain why.

​© 2018, Christine Wingate
​​