Initial R words – Free PDF word list and 32 flashcards

Here are some useful free resources for initial R words in the English language. There are word lists, including one you can print (above), picture and word flashcards, as well as some interesting practice sentences that you can use.

Initial R words are simply words that begin with the R sound, initial being the first position or start of a word. There is also the medial position (middle of the word), and the final position (end of the word). In this article, the materials sole be focus on words  the the R sound in the initial position. Note that the word doesn’t always have to start in R, the WR combination in words like wrap and write make the same sound.

The free printables and information here are intended to help students and learners who struggle to pronounce the R sound at the beginning of words. This is a very common issue amongst students that I have taught in Asia but you may have a child or class elsewhere that needs a bit of help in this area of pronunciation.

Another great page to help with this is the R and W minimal pairs page.