If you speak Spanish, you might say "eschool" for school. This guide shows you how to start with a clean S in English, no extra vowel.
The quick idea
Do not add a vowel before S + consonant at the start of a word. Start directly with /s/ or /sk, st, sp/: school /skuːl/, stop /stɑp/, Spain /speɪn/.
How it works
In Spanish, words do not start with S + consonant. Your brain inserts a helper vowel /e/: escuela, especial, España. English allows S + consonant at the start. Remove the extra vowel and begin directly with S.
What to do instead:
- Prepare the S first: smile gently, tongue close to your upper teeth, steady air.
- Slide straight into the next consonant, no vowel in between.
- Keep the first vowel short and relaxed if it is unstressed.
Tips for Spanish speakers
- Hold the S a little longer than you think, then touch the next consonant: ssss + t → st.
- Think “delete the e.” Say school as s-kool, speak as s-peak.
- Start with a whisper: whisper s + consonant first, then add voice.
Articulation details
- Tongue is close to the upper teeth for S; steady air, no voice.
- Move straight into the next consonant without opening to a vowel.
- Keep the first vowel short if it is unstressed (rhythm matters).
Core examples (with IPA)
- school, not "eschool" → /skuːl/
- strawberry, not "estroberry" → /ˈstrɔːˌbɛɹi/ (AmE)
- stop, not "estop" → /stɑp/
- Spain, not "Espain" → /speɪn/
- speak, not "espeak" → /spiːk/
- street, not "estreet" → /stɹiːt/
Common mistakes
- Adding /e/ before S + consonant: eschool, estring, estation.
- Making a vowel between S and the next consonant: s-uh-top. Keep it tight: /st/.
- Dropping the S completely: "'top" for stop. Keep the S long, then touch the T.
Exceptions and when not to apply it
- If a word truly starts with "es-" + consonant in English (rare), pronounce the written vowel: estate /ɪˈsteɪt/ (note the first vowel is not /e/).
- Across words, some linking vowels appear in fast speech, but do not add one before S at word start.
- Spanish names kept in English (España) keep their original pronunciation.
Mini practice
Say each line three times, no vowel before S:
- stop, still, student, store, study
- Spain, special, sports, speak, spring
- school, scooter, screen, scone, scribe
- strawberry, street, stream, strong, struggle
- "Stop adding a vowel before S!"
Quick drills
- Whisper S first, then add the next consonant: s-t → st; s-k → sk; s-p → sp
- Hand on throat: no voice on S. Voice starts only on the vowel or voiced consonant.
More high-frequency examples
- sk: skill, skin, skip, school, screen, scooter, score, scarf, escape (note: vowel belongs to the word)
- st: stop, student, study, store, start, strong, street, stream, stripe, station
- sp: speak, Spain, special, sport, spoon, spray, spring, sprint, spare, space
Minimal pairs (spot the added vowel)
- stop vs “estop”
- school vs “eschool”
- speak vs “espeak”
- Spain vs “Espain”
- street vs “estreet”
Articulation details (summary)
- Tongue is close to the upper teeth for S; steady air, no voice.
- Move straight into the next consonant without opening to a vowel.
- Keep the first vowel short if it is unstressed (rhythm matters).
Perception drill (do you hear an extra vowel?)
Say these out loud. Decide if there is an added vowel before S.
- stop, 2) espeak, 3) Spain, 4) estreet, 5) school, 6) estring, 7) special, 8) estop
Slow-to-fast chaining
- s → st → stop → stop it → stop it now
- s → sp → speak → speak up → speak up please
- s → sk → school → school day → school day starts
Common phrases (practice in context)
- Stop it.
- Speak slowly, please.
- Spain is special.
- Start strong.
- Spring is starting.
Self-check checklist
- No vowel before S.
- S is unvoiced (no vibration in the throat).
- Immediate contact to k/t/p (no gap or “uh”).
- Natural rhythm; the first vowel is not exaggerated.
FAQ
Q: Why do I add an “e” before S? A: In Spanish, words don’t begin with S + consonant. Your brain inserts a helper vowel. English allows S + consonant, so delete the extra vowel.
Q: Is “estop” ever correct? A: No, not for English words like stop, speak, school. Start directly with S.
Q: British vs. American English? A: Both keep S + consonant at word start. Pronounce a clean unvoiced S, then the next consonant.
Wrap up
English allows S + consonant at the start. Start with a clean S and connect straight to the next consonant. With a week of short drills, your "eschool" becomes school.
Related: Understand reduced vowels to keep rhythm: /en/blog/the-secret-english-sound-that-changes-everything-schwa