---
title: "Hearing the sounds of another language"
description: "Listen for differences between sounds in a new language and practise hearing words in short phrases. Listening and speaking can support each other as the learner practises."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/languages/hearing-the-sounds-of-another-language-mt_BNrRACypmh
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/languages/hearing-the-sounds-of-another-language-mt_BNrRACypmh.md
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

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# Hearing the sounds of another language

Listen for differences between sounds in a new language and practise hearing words in short phrases. Listening and speaking can support each other as the learner practises.

Subject: Languages · Area: Sounds & Conversation · Ages 5 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/languages/hearing-the-sounds-of-another-language-mt_BNrRACypmh

## Ready when they can

- Say whether two spoken words in the new language are the same or different
- Clap once per word in a short spoken phrase in the new language
- Point out a sound in the new language that the home language does not have

## Lesson: Listen for same and different

You have heard greetings in different languages. Now listen to pairs of words. If both words sound the same, say same. If you hear a change, say different.

*(drawing: You can ask to hear both words again before deciding whether they sound the same.)*

To practise hearing words, ask a speaker to say a short phrase slowly, with each word clear. Clap once per word. A long word still gets one clap. Do not clap once per sound or word part.

A new language may use a sound your home language does not use. Ask a speaker to give an example. You can listen more than once and try saying it too.

For words with a small sound change, hear both again at a clear pace. Compare how they begin, how they end, and the sounds between.

If the speaker agrees, watching their lips may help you copy a sound. You cannot see every movement inside the mouth. Listening or asking for another model can help too.

A speaker can help you split a hard word into parts. Practise a part, add the next part, then try the whole word. Listen to the whole word again to check it.

**Recap.** Listen to both words, ask again when unsure, and count words rather than sounds when you clap.

*Original lesson, questions and flashcards written for this learning dataset.*

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Segmenting words into sounds](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/segmenting-words-into-sounds-mt_BhYJZUsErp)
- [Many languages, one world](https://lightmysky.com/learn/languages/many-languages-one-world-mt_XETW8tM2MC)

## Opens up

- [Copying sounds, rhythm and tune](https://lightmysky.com/learn/languages/copying-sounds-rhythm-and-tune-mt_v7Vd-VlVdA)