Phonetics & Phonology
Phonetics and phonology refers to the distinctive sounds of a language and how those sounds combine to form syllables and words. The English language has approximately 44 distinct sounds (with some variation due to accent and how the sounds are articulated), which are represented by the 26 letters of the alphabet and the specific sounds that are made by each letter and by combining certain letter sounds together. A useful chart of the phonemes is provided here.
How the sounds are made involve the point of articulation in the vocal tract. Consonants are generally made by stopping or impeding the flow of air. Vowel sounds are made by unobstructed air flow and form the center of syllables.
The teaching of phonetics and phonology is critically important for English language learners. The sounds of the English language are the building blocks on which our language depends. Explicitly teaching how to make the unique sounds of the language, through teaching the points of articulation, will help ELLs with pronunciation and give them the tools they need to successfully learn the language. It is also important to know about students first language and recognize what sounds might be particularly challenging, especially if they are sounds that don't correspond to sounds in their native language.
Some resources for teaching phonemic awareness include the University of Virginia's PALS website, which offers targeted activities to build phonetic competence, and the Reading Rockets website, which includes research and strategies for teaching phonemic awareness.