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There are many structures that support language acquisition.  This visual exemplifies how these structures work together to allow for effective communication, both spoken and written (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.-a).

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Language Structures (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.) 

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Language Structures (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.) 

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Understanding how and why language works will help educators support students and create lessons with ease because they understand the systematic structure behind the "rules" (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022). Phonology and morphology are two different areas of linguistics, but they are closely related because they both deal with how language is structured (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022).

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Phonology and Morphology affect communication (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022). 

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Phonology and Morphology affect communication through word meaning, grammatical accuracy, and clarity of speech. When one is writing or speaking to communicate or convey a message they must be sure they understand the morphology as parts of meaning in conjunction to a root word (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022). Individuals must also make sure to exhibit proper accents and emphasis on word parts to deliver accurate information.

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"Phonology is the study of the sounds in a language"  (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.-a).

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Phonology- The umbrella that encompasses it all! 

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Phonology- The umbrella that encompasses it all! 

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Phonology is the study of sounds, but more specifically is all about how sounds work—which sounds are used in a language, how they're pronounced, and how they interact with each other (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.-a).

Having phonological awareness is having the overall ability to hear and work with sounds in spoken language (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.-a) . Phonology encompasses other language structures, and hence, is the umbrella that provides the overall big picture for language acquisition (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.-a) .

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Phonology is important for ELLs for many reasons, but one of the most important is its role it plays in reading development and literacy (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.-a).

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Phonology as we know is the study of the sound systems of language. Phonology is crucial for English Language Learners because it helps them distinguish, produce, and understand the sounds of English (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.-a). Mastery of phonological patterns helps with accurate pronunciation, listening comprehension, and spelling, all of which are essential for effective communication and literacy development (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.-a). Without a strong foundation in phonology, ELLs may struggle with decoding words, which can hinder reading fluency and their academic progress (Linguistics for Teachers of ELLs, n.d.-a).

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Although phonology works with sounds in language it encompasses how those sounds function in a language (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022).

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Morphology changes, modifies, and clarifies meaning!

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Morphology is the study of words and other units of language (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022). By adding different meaningful parts to words helps when building vocabulary, utilizing proper grammar in writing, and when learning new languages (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022). Morphology is how we build words by combining small meaning-units called morphemes. Morphology can be visualized as the pieces that, when put together, create a structured word (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022).

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Morphology: the building blocks of language!

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Morphology: the building blocks of language!

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Morphology teaches how words are built from smaller parts. Understanding the smaller parts of words helps English Language Learners make connections and infer meaning of unfamiliar words (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022). Morphology helps students recognize patterns in words which results in a vast vocabulary, deeper comprehension, and less memorization (Reynolds, Dikilitaş, & Close, 2022).

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Classroom Activities To Support Phonology

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Classroom Activities To Support Phonology

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1. Sound sorts: Since a phoneme is the basic unit of phonology, being able to hear phonemes accurately and in order is a necessary foundation for phonological development. Students can use their arm to segment the phonemes and sort pictures based on their initial, medium, or final sound. Students will recognize the variations in spelling that create similar sounds, for example: /i/ sky -- /i/ bike-- /i/ light (Cunningham, 2025).

This activity can be differentiated by the complexity of words used such as single-syllable or multisyllabic words. Students in need of more support can also focus on and sort sounds without incorporating visual letters or words. This will strengthen their ability to hear sounds before connecting the sounds to a letter name/visual (Cunningham, 2025).

2. Rhyme Time! Students will be asked to match words that rhyme. Differentiation for ELLs would include visual aids such as pictures. Once mastered, enrichment activities for ELLs may be introduced. Students can match words that rhyme but do not follow the same spelling functions. (example: one--sun) This not only supports phonological development, but also provides an easily accessible explanation onset and rhyme.

3. Sound BINGO Create bingo cards with target phonemes (may include individual sounds or sound-based words). Call out sounds or words, and students cover the correct ones.

This activity encourages discrimination of specific sounds in a fun, low-pressure way (Cunningham, 2025).

Scaffolding for ELLs may include pictures and proper practice of pronunciation for newcomers. More advanced differentiation may include common sound spelling patterns or tricky vowel combinations.

4. Tongue Twisters and Poetry: Students will repeat, practice, and recite short tongue twisters or simple poems in pairs or groups. This activity reinforces pronunciation, rhythm, and stresses patterns. ELLs at the beginning level can recite short and slow repetitive chants or rhymes that include visuals or motions. ELLs can practice with English speaking pairs and mimic tone and rhythm. English Language Learners can also be supported with technology in which they can record themselves and play it back to themselves in order to hear variations in their speech.

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Morphology + Phonology = Successful Language 

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Morphology + Phonology = Successful Language 

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Phonology and morphology interact because the pronunciation of morphemes, like suffixes, can change based on the sounds of the word they are attached to (Atlantis School of Communication, 2023). This is significant when developing a new (L2) language and must be taught with clarity to ELLs (Atlantis School of Communication, 2023).

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Fun Activities that engage all while meeting the needs of our ELLs. 

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1. Word Trains-Lego Language! Students can use different color legos to represent the base, the prefix, and the suffix. This helps students connect meaning from the root word to the morphed word (Reynolds, 2023). This activity reinforces morpheme recognition and word formation. ELLs can access this activity with visual pictures to exemplify the word. Language Learners can also be paired with an English speaking peer for support. ELLs can be supported further by completing this activity in a small group with a teacher or translator.

2. "Morphing Blooms" Students will have the opportunity to create their own new-word garden of flowers (Reynolds, 2023). This encourages creativity and deeper understanding of how word parts carry meaning. Students will be given a list of prefixes, suffixes, and roots. They will be challenged to create new words by combining the parts of the flower (Reynolds, 2023). This activity can be differentiated by complexity level. ELLs may work in pairs or small groups and provided with a limited list of prefixes or suffixes. Once mastered, educators can scaffold by requiring ELLs to use the word in a written or oral sentence.

3. WORD HOSPITAL! Be the doctor! Students can "dissect" words by cutting them apart and categorizing the different parts. ELLs can receive additional support by providing them with color-coded words to help visualize the suffixes and prefixes.

4. Morphology Sort: Students will sort and discuss the change in meaning and/or tense of words with variations in suffixes (i.e. walks, walking, walked). Students should also take notice to the various pronunciations of such suffixes such as -ed and -s, as in talked (/t/), wondered (/d/) and bugs (/z/), tips (/s/). ELLs can receive differentiated support by sorting words with the suffix -s and -ed simply by reading and/or listening to hear differences in the final sound. This activity helps learners distinguish between grammatical endings and meaning-changing morphemes.

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TRY IT OUT!

Sound Hunt Around the House

Part A: Have your child find objects that begin or end with a certain sound. Time them for extra excitement! Each day or week, focus on a new target sound. Have your child say the name of each item out loud, emphasizing the beginning or ending sound. Children can then the sort items by sound.

Part B: Have your child find items around the house that rhyme with 3 given words of your choice. (example: bug, care, two... bug= rug, mug, plug; care= hair, chair, stair; boo= shoe, two (of something), chew) Add in a "mystery bonus rhyme" for extra fun: "There is only one, but I am not the sun.... High in the sky, I am the moon... for breakfast I eat with a silver _____." (moon..... children must find spoon).

Morphology Charades!

Make a list of emotions and/or actions. Fill a bag with prefixes and suffixes. Pick a suffix or prefix and pair it with a root word on the list. Act it out! The first to guess wins! [For example: un + happy = unhappy; un + tied = untied]

Extension- have child explain how the word meaning changed.

Online resource! Check it out!

https://www.readingrockets.org/literacy-home/literacy-tips-activities

Click on the link above for more ideas for at-home support in phonology and morphology.

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Literacy Tips and Activities for Parents

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Explore reading basics as well as the key role of background knowledge and motivation in becoming a lifelong reader and learner. Watch our PBS Launching Young Readers series and try our self-paced Reading 101 course to deepen your understanding.