It makes sense to start learning English with the alphabet, reading, and pronunciation: in English, spelling and sound diverge more than in most languages, and without reading rules, it's easy to memorize words incorrectly.
English Alphabet and Letters
The English alphabet has twenty-six Latin letters. Learning them is not difficult, but it's important to remember their names so you can spell out words (spelling). Below is the complete alphabet with the pronunciation of the letter names:
After mastering the letters, move on to reading — the starting order is described in detail in the guide English from Scratch.
Why Reading is More Difficult Than It Seems
The main feature of English is that the same letter is read differently in different words: compare 'cat', 'car', and 'cake'. This is a legacy of complex orthography, and it's precisely why you can't just 'read as written'. At the start, rules for reading letter combinations (sh, ch, th, ea, oo, igh) and relying on transcription help until reading becomes automatic.
Transcription and Pronunciation
Transcription is more necessary in English than in many languages: it records the actual sound regardless of spelling. At Memofluent, every word has a transcription and context, so pronunciation and meaning are reinforced together — try it:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many letters are in the English alphabet?
Twenty-six Latin letters — five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and twenty-one consonants. However, there are noticeably more sounds in English than letters.
Why aren't English words read as they are written?
English has a complex historical orthography: one letter produces different sounds in different words. Therefore, transcription and reading rules are important from the very beginning.
Do I need to learn transcription?
Yes, especially at the start — it helps prevent incorrect pronunciation from becoming ingrained. At Memofluent, every word has a transcription and audio pronunciation.
How does British pronunciation differ from American?
In sounds, intonation, and some letters (e.g., Z: British [zɛd], American [ziː]). Choose one variant and stick to it at the start.
Where should a beginner start with reading?
With the alphabet and basic rules for reading letter combinations, then — simple adapted texts with few unfamiliar words.
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