Syllables — Counting the Beats
A1 · Word Stress · Every word has beats — learn to count them
English words are built from beats called syllables: 'cat' has 1, 'table' has 2, 'banana' has 3. Every syllable contains exactly one vowel sound. Counting beats is the first skill behind word stress — and behind clear pronunciation.
Step 1 — Notice
- One vowel sound = one syllable. Always.
- Silent letters add nothing: cake (1), please (1), table (2 — the -le counts).
- Long words are just beat chains: im-por-tant (3), com-pu-ter (3), el-e-phant (3).
- Knowing the beats prepares you for stress: one beat in each word will be the strong one.
Step 2 — Listen
AI-generated American voice. Natural first, then slow. Listen as many times as you need.
table
Two beats: TA-ble.
banana
Three beats: ba-NA-na.
important
Three beats: im-POR-tant.
computer
Three beats: com-PU-ter.
elephant
Three beats: EL-e-phant.
The elephant is important.
Count the beats as you listen: 3 + 3 around the little words.
Stress Training — Where Is the Stress?
Listen, then tap the stressed syllable or word. Green means you found the beat.
Step 4 — Repeat & Record
Say each model out loud, right after the voice. Then record yourself saying the target line: table
Record yourself, play it back, and compare with the model. Recordings stay in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Step 5 — Compare & Self-Check
Play your recording from Step 4. Then play the model again. No scores — just honest ears. Tick what you truly did:
Step 6 — Shadow
The text starts hidden. Listen first, then reveal it, then speak with the voice — same rhythm, half a second behind.
The banana is on the table.
Practice Quiz
Keep going
🇺🇸 Real American Listening — hear it in real conversation🎙️ Speaking Studio — use your voice in dialogues🌱 Vocabulary Builder — words with pronunciation🔗 Phrasal Verbs Lab📚 Graded Stories — shadow a story← Previous lesson · A1 — all lessons · Next: Word Stress Basics — the Strong Syllable →
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