Fun Pronunciation Correction – VIPKID Letter Sound Motions

Are you a VIPKID teacher looking to make your class more fun? Do you struggle to keep your student engaged while correcting pronunciation?

GET THE STUDENT MOVING!! - It's as simple as that!

VIPKID's current TPR set has an object or animal that it associates for each letter sound. This is great for kids who are already in the program because all of us teachers use the same motions - giving the kids a more consistent experience.

However, for younger, lower-level students, or especially new students who are not yet part of the program, I find that the motions I put forth in this video create more interaction and are more intuitive for low-level/young/new VIPKID students as they focus more on the sound versus another word (which often may need to be taught sepearately).

Here's a short description of each action (shown in the video) for your reference:
a - bite an apple
b - beat on heart
c - pinch fingers together as if cracking a nut
d - knock on door
e - pull side of mouth with hooked finger
f - mimic a fan
g - gulp a drink pretending to drink out of glass
h - breathe on hand
i - itch arm and repeat "itch" then isolate "i" later
j - rubbing hands together like you're sawing
k - crack nut between fingers (same as c)
l - mimic tongue motion with hand
m - rub stomach
n - plug nose
o - sing opera (short sound 'ah')
o - make a ring around mouth with fingers (long sound 'oh')
p - pop bubbles / imitate piece of paper being blown over with hand
q - quack hand like duck / act like riding a horse while repeating sound
r - roar like a lion / grimace and cover eye like pirate
s - mimic snake in grass with hand
t - play drums / sway finger back & forth like a clock
u - gently strike stomach (short u 'uh')
u - act surprised with your hand up to lips (long u 'oo')
v - revving motorcycle
w - swinging rope above head
x - hit your fingers together in an x shape
y - imitate a yo-yo
z - imitate zipper up and down

[jenniferlynsanin]

Your techniques and tips are very fun, helpful, and a fantastic resource of ideas. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.

[Planesarecool]

I could watch you all day! You're so much fun! Thank you very much.

[EsterCarlson]

I refer back to this almost every time I have a new level 1 lesson. Thanks!

[mrykzgrl]

Yea! So happy to see you started a channel!

[beutieandthebell]

This was awesome, you've really inspired me to pick up my teaching game! Thank you!

[MG-bquk]

Thank I already had the sounds down correctly and was trying to figure out how to use the best TPR for letter sounds that are the most difficult for students (m, n, p, v, etc.). Finally, I found some that are easy for students to practice and comprehend. Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to start using them! Happy teaching!

[jhendrii]

Justin, I have taught reading for 25 years, but I have never seen such an engaging presentation of sounds. Thank you so much!

[Nagarta]

Hi, Justin! I've take several of workshops! They've been so helpful. Can you do a video on how to teach consonant blends?

[honeybee]

I just started teaching level 2 and phonics. I'm going to use these tomorrow! :)

[sclareson]

Justin thank you for this video. I have used many parts of it already with various students. It has been most helpful with a very young very new student that I have who struggles with every aspect of learning English right now! She absolutely loved holding her nose to say the letter N sound.

[TeacherKasie]

Hey Justin! I didn’t know you had a channel. Your workshops are awesome!

[lori]

Really great suggestions Justin. Will need to figure out a way to memorize some of these. Thanks!

[katiefoster]

I love your energy! I want to emulate your teaching style and comfort level - it's very admirable!

[WICKED]

Great workshops this morning! I'm coming at ya with some video ideas (you asked)....

-how to use TPR effectively with older students. I had a class yesterday with a 15 year old boy. It was a SN and my bad for not reading comments, but with the name Dora in mid-level 3, I was expecting a 7-9 year old girl. Not a 15 year old boy.

-tips for writing feedback after a trial. Workshop had many great suggestions but I didn't get screen shots of all. Some basics do and don'ts and trial feedback.

- anything manycam....how to organize digital props, set up, green screen

-your classroom set up

Love the energy you bring to tdee workshops! Thank you! :)

[juliedavidson]

Justin! Your TPR workshop had me doing charades in my dreams last night! Talk about effective!😊🤣👏

[thecharlieandabbyshow]

Hello. Justin my name is Teacher Keisha and I love this video. In fact, I do something similar in my classroom, too. Well, I am writing to let you know that my son who is on the autism spectrum loves watching this video. He has speech difficulties and sees a speech therapist, but he enjoys watching you as a review. We are currently having him practice the “f” sound. Thank you for being an awesome VIPKID teacher. Hope to see you one day at one of our many conferences or workshops. Have a great day, Teacher Keisha

[stephaniehatfield]

YOU ARE SO AWESOME!!!! Thank you for the excellent workshops. (what is 'e'? and what's the sound when you pull your cheeks?)