Lesson 37: /əl/ (Spelling Patterns: -le, -el, -al, -il)

Discover the /əl/ Sound in Words Like table, camel, pedal, and pencil

Learning to read becomes easier when children recognize that one sound can have several spelling patterns. In this lesson, we introduce the /əl/ sound, a common ending found in many English words. Children will learn that -le, -el, -al, and -ilcan all represent the /əl/ sound at the end of words.

This lesson helps beginning readers recognize, pronounce, and read the /əl/ sound through explicit instruction, listening activities, and decoding practice. Following a systematic phonics sequence allows children to build strong foundational reading skills one step at a time. Whether you're a parent, teacher, tutor, or homeschool educator, this free lesson provides engaging resources to support confident, successful readers.

Before You Get Started

All of the resources in this lesson—including the interactive presentation, worksheets, classroom poster, and mini activity book—are completely free to access and edit with Canva Education.

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Once your Canva Education account is approved, you'll be able to access, customize, and use all of the resources in this lesson at no cost.

What Your Child Will Learn

By the end of this lesson, your child will be able to:

• Recognize the /əl/ sound in spoken words.

• Learn that -le, -el, -al, and -il can all spell the /əl/ sound.

• Articulate the sound correctly.

• Read and identify words ending with the /əl/ sound.

• Compare different spelling patterns for the same sound.

• Strengthen decoding and spelling skills.

Reading Skill Spotlight: The /əl/ Sound

The /əl/ sound is made up of two parts: the schwa /ə/ followed by the /l/ sound. It most often appears at the end of words.

English uses several spelling patterns for the /əl/ sound.

The spelling -le is the most common and appears in words such as:

• table

• little

• apple

• candle

The spelling -el is found in words such as:

• camel

• towel

• tunnel

• nickel

The spelling -al can also represent the /əl/ sound, as in:

• pedal

• metal

• local

• hospital

The spelling -il appears in a small number of words, such as:

• pencil

• nostril

• fossil

• pupil

Learning these spelling patterns helps children read longer words more accurately and understand common word endings in English.

Make the Sound

Let's practise together!

The /əl/ sound has two parts: a soft /ə/ sound followed by a clear /l/ sound.

First, keep your mouth relaxed to make /ə/.

Then lift the tip of your tongue to the ridge just behind your top teeth to make /l/.

Say the sounds slowly:

/ə/ … /l/

Now blend them together:

/əl/

Try it three times:

/əl/ … /əl/ … /əl/

Encourage children to notice how the sound begins softly and finishes with a clear /l/. They can also place a hand on their throat to feel the gentle vibration because both sounds are voiced.

Teach the Lesson with the Interactive Presentation

Introduce the /əl/ sound using the interactive presentation. It provides explicit instruction, pronunciation practice, spelling patterns, word reading, and engaging activities in a clear, systematic sequence. The presentation is suitable for classrooms, small-group instruction, intervention sessions, tutoring, or home learning.

👉 Access the presentation here:

Download the Free Worksheets

Reinforce learning with printable worksheets that provide opportunities to practise reading, writing, spelling, and applying the /əl/ sound. These activities encourage repeated practice while helping children build confidence and fluency.

👉 Download the worksheets here:

Display the Classroom Poster

Support daily review with a printable classroom poster featuring the /əl/ sound and its common spelling patterns. Display it on your phonics wall, literacy centre, or reading corner to provide children with a helpful visual reference throughout the lesson.

👉 Download the poster here:

Practise with the Mini Activity Book

Extend learning with the printable mini activity book. Filled with engaging, hands-on activities, it gives children additional opportunities to review the /əl/ sound through reading, colouring, matching, writing, and word practice. It is ideal for independent learning, literacy rotations, homework, or extra practice at home.

👉 Download the mini activity book here:

Tips for Educators

• Model the /əl/ sound by first saying /ə/ and /l/ separately, then blending them together.

• Teach -le first, as it is the most common spelling for the /əl/ sound.

• Introduce -el, -al, and -il as alternative spellings after children are confident with -le.

• Encourage children to look for /əl/ endings when reading multisyllable words.

• Provide opportunities to sort words by their ending spelling patterns.

• Keep lessons short, positive, and engaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this lesson suitable for?

This lesson is designed for beginning readers, typically between 5 and 8 years old, but it can also support older students who are developing foundational reading skills.

Which spelling for /əl/ should children learn first?

Begin with -le, as it is the most common spelling for the /əl/ sound. Once children are confident with -le, introduce -el, -al, and -il as alternative spellings.

Why are there different spellings for the same /əl/ sound?

English words come from many different languages and spelling traditions. As a result, several letter patterns can represent the same ending sound.

Can I use these resources in my classroom?

Absolutely! These resources are designed for classroom teachers, reading intervention, tutors, homeschool educators, and families supporting beginning readers at home.

Continue Learning

Every new spelling pattern your child masters strengthens their reading foundation. Continue to the next lesson in the Developing Readers series as your child learns another essential phonics pattern through explicit, systematic instruction.

You may also enjoy exploring our growing collection of printable phonics resources, decodable activities, and early literacy materials designed to make learning to read simple, engaging, and effective.