ESL Phonics Lessons: The Letter I

Welcome to our beginner phonics lesson on the letter I! This ESL phonics lesson is designed to help young learners and ESL students understand and practice the sounds and usage of the letter I. Phonics is an essential skill that forms the foundation for reading and writing proficiency. Mastering the letter I will help learners decode words more effectively, improve their reading skills, and build confidence in their language abilities. Let’s explore the letter I, its different sounds, and some engaging activities to reinforce learning.

ESL Phonics: Understanding the Letter I

The letter I is the ninth letter of the English alphabet and is a vowel. Recognizing the letter I in both its uppercase and lowercase forms (I and i) is crucial for young learners. The letter I has two primary sounds: the short I sound, as in “igloo,” and the long I sound, as in “ice.”

ESL Phonics: The Short I Sound

The short I sound is the /ɪ/ sound, like in “igloo.” To produce the short I sound, position your tongue slightly higher than the middle of your mouth, and keep your mouth slightly open. This sound can be found at the beginning, middle, and occasionally at the end of words. Here are some examples:

• Beginning: Igloo, Insect, Ink, Ill, It
• Middle: Sit, Pin, Hit, Fish, Milk
• End: None (The short I sound rarely appears at the end of words)

ESL Phonics: The Long I Sound

The long I sound is the /aɪ/ sound, like in “ice.” This sound occurs when the letter I is followed by a silent E or appears in certain vowel combinations, such as “ie” or “igh.” Here are some examples:

• Beginning: Ice, Island, Ivory, Idea, Item
• Middle: Kite, Bike, Pie, Light, Night
• End: Pie, Lie, Tie, Fly, Sky

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