A Chic Approach to the Chaos of CH

Pronuncing ch: The sounds ch makes, 3 main groups: 

ch / tʃ/, sh /ʃ /, and k /k/

Here's an activity I took from my old man. I've been using it with my Advanced classes this week as I often notice huge mistakes with especially with the greek /k/ sound and the old french sound / tʃ/.  

There are various ways to go about this activity. I tend to start them off with one or two words for each of the following sounds  ch / tʃ/, sh /ʃ /, and k /k/ and then set them off making their own lists and see if they notice any patterns.

As I mention the sounds ch makes can be split into three main groups: ch / tʃ/, sh /ʃ /, and k /k/ (also the Q sound for choir). 

Then I introduce the following set of words. Either on a powerpoint or I  print the word lists in colour, laminate and cut into single words. This can take an awful lot of time so I do sometimes let m students loose with the scissors.

Next place all the words face up on the table and ask students to select and pronounce a word.

After a while the students realise that the colour of the word is a guide to pronunciation (it also helps many students remember the pronunciation).

Variations: Place the words face downwards and ask students to pick a word (against the clock/teams…… ) 

I also print a black and white copy so students can try doing the same activity a few weeks later and see how well they've remembered the groups.

Ch / tʃ/

cheese	chocolate	chips
beach	peach	chop
church	arch	inch
wrench	winch	chalk
chief	approach	choke
research	cheap	search
batch	switch	check

/k/

Christmas	ache	stomach
chaos	mechanic	mechanical
school	scheme	schedule
psychology	chemical	chemist
bronchitis	chronic	architect

Sh /ʃ /

chablis	champagne	chic
quiche	fuchsia	machine
chamfer	schedule	chevron
chef	chauffeur	brochure