The TH in think (voiceless /θ/)

Objective & content

This Sound Check video (about 2 minutes) fixes one sound: the quiet th of think. Learners often say sink, tink or fink. Freya (British) and Cody (American) show the fix. Put the tip of the tongue between the teeth. Blow gently: no voice, only air. The hosts practise the sound alone first (thhh), then in words. Students repeat think, three, Thursday and birthday, then one sentence: I think it's Thursday. Then they play a three-round game: which word did you hear?

Pedagogical guide

Most first languages do not have this sound. Learners replace it with a sound they know. French learners say s, t or f. German and Dutch learners say s (Dutch also t). Italian and Portuguese learners say t or f. Polish learners say s, t or f. Spanish speakers from Spain often have this sound already, in words like cielo. Tell them so: it gives them confidence. Many Latin American speakers say a strong s instead. Use the video's two tests: the tongue tip is visible between the teeth, and the throat does not buzz. Both hosts say this sound the same way: there is no British or American difference to explain here. The game tests listening only, so check the speaking yourself.

Suggested procedure

1. Before (2 min). Write think and sink on the board. Ask a few students to say both words. Do they sound different?
2. Watch (3 min). Play the video once. Students repeat aloud when the hosts say "Do it with us", "Say them with me" and "Now the whole thing, with me".
3. Game (2 min). Play the game again. Pause each time a host says the word, before the other host gives the answer. The class votes.
4. After (3 min). In pairs, one student says think or sink, three or tree, mouth or mouse. The partner points to the right word on the board.

Materials & prerequisites

• The video, a screen and sound for the whole class.
• The example words are at about A1+ level. Students do not need phonetic symbols.

Assessment & extensions

Say think, tree, mouth and sink in random order. Students stick out the tongue tip for the th sound. For more practice, add Thursday.