R vs L Pronunciation: English /r/ and /l/ Sounds Explained
Please refer to the Little Bell /l/ and Red Car /r/ lessons for detailed instruction on how to pronounce each sound.
Be mindful of the tip of your tongue to clearly differentiate these two sounds.
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For Little Bell /l/, the tip of your tongue presses gently against the ridge just behind your top front teeth (we call this The Ridge).
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For Red Car /r/, the tip of your tongue does not touch anything—it stays slightly back and away from the roof of your mouth.
LITTLE BELL /l/ and RED CAR /r/ Training
The following exercises combine listening, shadowing, and gradually increasing complexity to help you internalize new sounds and rhythm patterns in your spoken English.
Level 1 is available to all visitors. CEA members unlock the complete training.
Goal: Hear and produce the Little Bell /l/ & Red Car /r/ sounds clearly in at the beginning of words and syllables.
1) Say each word slowly and clearly.
- For Little Bell /l/, focus on lifting the tip of your tongue to the ridge behind your top front teeth and keeping the sides of your tongue relaxed.
- Make sure the tip of your tongue does not touch the roof of your mouth for Red Car /r/.
2) Record yourself the listen back:
- Do your /l/ and /r/ sound clear and distinct?
- Are you avoiding substitutions?
Mini Challenge: “Flood” the words in each column (say all of one column in a row). Can you keep the Little Bell /l/ & Red Car /r/ sound consistent from top to bottom?
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Little Bell /l/
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Red Car /r/
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light
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right
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lead
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read
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lace
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race
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lamp
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ramp
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alive
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arrive
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flood these words
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flood these words
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