ESL Phonics Lessons: The Letter G

Welcome to our beginner phonics lesson on the letter G! This lesson is designed to help young learners and ESL students understand and practice the sounds and usage of the letter G. Phonics is a foundational skill that supports reading and writing proficiency. Mastering the letter G will enhance learners’ ability to decode words, improve their reading skills, and build confidence in their language abilities. Let’s explore the letter G, its different sounds, and some engaging activities to reinforce learning.

ESL Phonics: Understanding the Letter G

The letter G is the seventh letter of the English alphabet and is a consonant. Recognizing the letter G in both its uppercase and lowercase forms (G and g) is essential for young learners. The letter G has two primary sounds: the hard G sound, as in “go,” and the soft G sound, as in “giraffe.”

ESL Phonics: The Hard G Sound

The hard G sound is the /g/ sound, like in “go.” To produce the hard G sound, place the back of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, and release the sound with a slight puff of air. This sound can be found at the beginning, middle, and end of words. Here are some examples:

• Beginning: Goat, Game, Girl, Grass, Gift
• Middle: Tiger, Eagle, Bigger, Finger, Sugar
• End: Dog, Bag, Frog, Leg, Mug

ESL Phonics: The Soft G Sound

The soft G sound is the /dʒ/ sound, like in “giraffe.” It typically occurs when the letter G is followed by the vowels E, I, or Y. Here are some examples:

• Beginning: Giraffe, Giant, Gentle, Gym, Genius
• Middle: Magic, Page, Engine, Energy, Region
• End: None (The soft G sound rarely appears at the end of words)

The ESL phonics lesson below includes an introduction to the letter G, with several words, a sentence, and a page to practice tracing this letter. Students then practice tracing the letter G to complete several words in sentences. After completing this ESL phonics lesson, students should have a basic, functional understanding of the letter G, 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.