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Minimal pairs · r · l

rock or lock

The English r never touches the roof of the mouth; the l always does. A tongue-position pair.

Press play, then tap the word you heard.

🍎 How to teach the mouth

For r, the tongue curls back like a wave that never lands. For l, it parks behind the top teeth. Say 'la-la-la', then slide back into 'ra-ra-ra'.