ESL Phonics Lessons: The Letter C

Welcome to our beginner phonics lesson on the letter C! This ESL phonics lesson is crafted to help young learners and ESL students understand and practice the sound and usage of the letter C. Phonics is an essential skill that lays the groundwork for reading and writing proficiency. Mastering the letter C will help learners decode words more effectively and boost their confidence in language learning. Let’s explore the letter C, its sounds, and engaging activities to reinforce learning.

ESL Phonics: Understanding the Letter C

The letter C is the third letter of the English alphabet. It can represent different sounds depending on the word in which it appears. The two primary sounds associated with the letter C are the hard C sound, as in “cat,” and the soft C sound, as in “cent.” Recognizing these sounds and their contexts is crucial for developing phonetic skills.

ESL Phonics: The Hard C Sound

The hard C sound is the most common sound for the letter C. It is a /k/ sound, like in “cat.” To produce the hard C sound, the back of your tongue touches the soft part of the roof of your mouth, and then you release the air. This sound can be found at the beginning, middle, and end of words. Here are some examples:

• Beginning: Cat, Car, Cup, Cake, Coat
• Middle: Picnic, Acorn, Bacon, Taco, Jacket
• End: Duck, Rock, Music, Magic, Quick

ESL Phonics: The Soft C Sound

The soft C sound is a /s/ sound, like in “cent.” It occurs when the letter C is followed by the vowels E, I, or Y. Here are some examples:

• Beginning: Cent, City, Circle, Cider, Cycle
• Middle: Pencil, Ice, Dance, Accent, Facet
• End: Face, Rice, Notice, Lace, Juice

The ESL phonics lesson below includes an introduction to the letter C, with several words, a sentence, and a page to practice tracing this letter. Students then practice tracing the letter C to complete several words in sentences. After completing this ESL phonics lesson, students should have a basic, functional understanding of the letter C, including its shape, capital and lowercase forms, and its positioning in sentences. Download this lesson for free, and you can also download our entire book of ESL phonics lessons on the alphabet, Phonics Monster: The Alphabet.