Here's a breakdown:
1. "S" at the beginning of a word:
* Teeth together: Your teeth are close together, creating a small gap for the air to escape.
* Tongue position: The tip of your tongue is slightly behind your lower front teeth, forming a slight groove in the middle of your tongue. The air is forced through this groove, creating the hissing sound of "s".
* Examples: sun, sleep, school
2. "S" at the end of a word:
* Teeth together: Similar to the beginning of a word, your teeth are close together.
* Tongue position: The tip of your tongue may slightly touch your lower front teeth, but it doesn't create a full block. The air escapes through the gap between your teeth, creating a slightly softer "s" sound.
* Examples: cars, bus, trees
3. "S" in the middle of a word:
* Teeth together: The teeth position is similar to the beginning and end, though it might be slightly more relaxed.
* Tongue position: The tongue position depends on the surrounding sounds. It may be closer to the beginning position if the sound before it is a vowel, and closer to the ending position if the sound before it is a consonant.
* Examples: ask, wash, castle
4. "S" with other sounds:
* "sh" (as in "ship"): Your tongue moves back towards your hard palate, creating a more constricted airflow.
* "th" (as in "thin"): Your tongue is positioned between your teeth, and the air is pushed out between them.
Important Note: The exact tongue position can vary slightly based on your dialect and individual pronunciation.
Feel free to experiment with different tongue positions and listen carefully to the sounds you produce. Practice makes perfect!