Free oi and oy words list and 32 cards

Here we have some useful free resources for teaching the /oi/ vowel sound. They can be used to help learners with pronunciation, spelling, and acquiring new vocabulary.

Despite the difference in spelling both oi and oy are pronounced the same way when they appear in English words. They are diphthongs which are two vowel sounds joined together. In the case of oy, y becomes a vowel.

The general spelling rule is that if the /oi/ sound appears at in the middle or start of the word it is spelled oi. If it is at the end of the word oy is used. Like most English language rules there are some exceptions. Loyal for example has the sound in the middle of the word but is spelled with oy.

First of all, we have some free printable flashcards with /oi/ words and pictures that you can use for both rote learning and playing games. There are 32 cards with the words of –

Sheet 1 – asteroid, avoid, boil, buoyant, choice, coil, coin, and convoy.

Sheet 2 – cowboy, coyote, destroy, joy, foil, join, koi, and loyal.

Sheet 3 – moist, noise, oil, ointment, oyster, point, poison, and royal.

Sheet 4 – soil, soy, toilet, toy, turquoise, voice, voyage, and waypoint.