The ULTIMATE Printable Diphthong Activity

An experienced teacher has created this easy-to-use printable diphthong activity to use in the classroom that will have your students practising various vowel team diphthongs while having fun! It’s a gamified diphthong activity that will have your students begging to play! In this activity, students can be in pairs or small groups, each with a copy of the worksheet and counters. The first player rolls a dice and finds the number on the chart. They must then read the first word in the column and place a mark or chip over it—the first one to make it to the top wins.

The best thing about this resource is that it is also getting students to identify their knowledge of the different graphemes that make the same phoneme. The following diphthongs are included:

• oi and oy
• aw and au
• ew and oo

Why Teach Diphthongs in Isolation?

Teaching diphthongs in isolation allows students to focus on and master the intricate nuances of these complex vowel sounds. By isolating diphthongs, educators provide learners with a concentrated and targeted learning experience, enabling them to distinguish and practice each specific sound without the potential confusion of surrounding phonetic elements. This focused approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the unique qualities and variations within diphthongs, helping students develop a more accurate and nuanced pronunciation.

Furthermore, isolating diphthongs allows for systematic instruction, breaking down the learning process into manageable components. Once students have a solid grasp of individual diphthongs in isolation, they can then apply this knowledge to more complex linguistic contexts, contributing to a more comprehensive and robust understanding of phonetics and language as a whole.

Print and Practise Today!

Use the dropdown menu to choose between an easy-to-print PDF or an editable Google Slide version of this resource.

You may like to print these activity sheets on thick card or even laminate so you can use this activity again and again.

This resource was created by Lisamarie Del Valle, a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Diphthong Resources for the Classroom

Looking for more diphthong activities to include in your phonics lesson? We have you covered…

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OW and OU Words - Word Search

Explore words containing ‘ow’ and ‘ou’ with this set of differentiated word searches.

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Diphthongs Sound Wall Cards

Use these diphthong cards as visuals on a sound wall or as flashcards during your phonics lessons.

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Vowel Digraphs Poster Pack

Expose your students to the most common vowel digraphs with this set of 24 posters.