L-

How to make this sound:

  • Tip of tongue touches alveolar ridge (i.e. bumps BEHIND upper teeth)

  • Sides of tongue relaxed (air moves past tongue laterally)

  • Voice on

Tips:

  • Draw attention to your tongue going up as you model this sound! If needed, practicing with a mirror can be helpful.

  • Contrast the error with the target. Ex: "You said wike. That word is like. See how I put my tongue up, behind my teeth, instead of using my lips? Like."

Note! Unlike most other sounds, "L" can change a bit in the final position of words. If your student is targeting "L" in the final position of words, that homework is found here.

Ways to make this homework easier:

  • Decrease the speed (keep your voice on, but say the sounds in the words slowly)

  • Decrease length of utterance (ex: If they can't say "look" correctly, have them just say "L")

  • Model the word before each of their attempts.

  • Say the word at the same time as them, with them watching your mouth.

  • Give more feedback, after each production (ex: "Try again, don't forget to use your tongue" or "You said "like" with a good "L" sound!)

  • Switch to modeling the practice words (and emphasizing the target sound) instead of having them produce the word.

Ways to make this homework more challenging:

  • Increase the speed (no speed-talking necessary, but add natural intonation and speed to their productions)

  • Increase length of utterance (if they can say the word, see if they can use the word in a phrase, then small sentence, then short sentence, then in conversation)

  • Give less feedback; wait until they are done (ex: "You said 7 out of 10 of those words with a great "L" sound!")

  • Expand beyond these relatively simple words. Find more words here or here or while reading out loud together. (If you practice in other ways than the weekly assignments above, that's great! You can still click on the homework above and just add a couple words about what you did in the optional "comments" section.)