What Is a Tricky Second Sound When Learning to Read?

When children begin learning to read, they are often introduced to one sound for each letter of the alphabet. 

For example, they learn that C says /k/ as in cat, or G says /g/ as in goat. 

But soon enough, they come across words where the letters don’t make the sounds they expect—this is where tricky second sounds come in.

Understanding and teaching these tricky second sounds is an important step in helping early readers become more confident and fluent. 

In this article, we’ll explore what tricky second sounds are, why they matter, and how to support children as they learn them.

What Is a Tricky Second Sound When Learning to Read?

What Are Tricky Second Sounds?

A tricky second sound is a less common or alternate sound that a letter can make. 

These sounds often surprise new readers because they don’t match what the child was originally taught.

For example, the letter “C” is usually introduced with the /k/ sound (as in cat), but it can also say /s/ (as in circle). 

This can be confusing until the child learns the pattern or rule that explains the change.

Common Tricky Second Sounds

Here are some letters that frequently have tricky second sounds:

1. C – /k/ or /s/

• Common Sound: /k/ as in cat
• Tricky Sound: /s/ as in city, circle

This usually happens when “c” is followed by e, i, or y.

2. G – /g/ or /j/

• Common Sound: /g/ as in goat
• Tricky Sound: /j/ as in giant, giraffe

Like “c,” the soft /j/ sound often appears when “g” is followed by e, i, or y.

3. Y – /y/, /i/, or /ee/

• Common Sound: /y/ as in yes
• Tricky Sounds:
  • /i/ as in my, cry
  • /ee/ as in happy, silly

“Y” can act like a vowel, especially at the end of words, making it a common source of confusion.

4. S – /s/ or /z/

• Common Sound: /s/ as in sun
• Tricky Sound: /z/ as in is, has, was

Children might try to pronounce these words with a /s/ sound and need help learning when “s” sounds like /z/.

5. A – /a/, /ā/, or /ə/

• Common Sound: /a/ as in apple
• Tricky Sounds:
  • /ā/ as in acorn
  • /ə/ (the schwa) as in about

The schwa sound is particularly tricky because it’s a neutral sound that can appear in many different vowels in unstressed syllables.

Why Tricky Second Sounds Matter

Tricky second sounds can cause frustration or confusion for beginning readers. 

If a child is confidently sounding out the word circle as /k/ircle/, they might get discouraged when the word doesn’t make sense. 

Recognising that some letters have more than one sound—and that these sounds appear in patterns—helps readers build flexibility and accuracy in their reading.

Tips for Teaching Tricky Second Sounds

1. Point Them Out in Context
   When reading a book together, stop and gently explain when a letter is making a different sound.
2. Use Visual Aids and Charts
   A chart showing common tricky letters and their sounds can help children remember them.
3. Play Word Sorting Games
   Let children sort words with hard “c” and soft “c” or “g” into different piles. This makes the learning interactive and fun.
4. Practice with High-Frequency Words
   Many tricky second sounds appear in common words like was, my, has, and city. Frequent exposure helps.
5. Be Patient and Encourage Curiosity
   Let kids ask questions and guess why a letter might be making a different sound. Exploring these ideas helps deepen their understanding of how English works.

What are Tricky Second Sounds When Learning to Read

Tricky second sounds are a natural part of learning to read English. 

Although they may seem frustrating at first, they offer an opportunity to build deeper phonics knowledge and flexible reading skills. 

By introducing these sounds in a thoughtful and supportive way, we help children become more confident, curious readers.