In a vowel-consonant-silent e syllable, how is the vowel pronounced?

In a vowel-consonant-silent e syllable, the vowel is pronounced as a long vowel. This is a fundamental rule in English phonics that highlights the role of the silent 'e' at the end of a word. The presence of the silent 'e' changes the pronunciation of the preceding vowel, indicating that it should be pronounced with a long sound—essentially the name of the vowel itself rather than its short sound.

For example, in the word "make," the vowel 'a' is pronounced with a long sound, while the silent 'e' at the end signals this change. Understanding this concept is essential for both reading and spelling in a multi-sensory structured language education context, as it helps learners decode and encode words correctly.

Recognizing this vowel pattern contributes significantly to successful reading strategies, and being familiar with how silent 'e' influences vowel sounds is crucial for developing fluency and comprehension in students.