I have heard two different versions of the semi-vowels “w” and “y.” The first version sounds like vowels “u” and “I,” the second version sounds like “were” and “year.” Which is correct, and how do you explain what semi-vowels are?

About your question on semi-vowels: I think your definition of both uses of semi-vowels in the examples you gave are correct as both letters can take on those different sounds based upon they are used in any given word. When I was little (in the 60′s) I was taught the vowels—a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y. That’s not the prevailing way of teaching vowels anymore. They’re pretty much presented as simply a, e, i, o, u. There are of course exceptions in our language—but they’re usually taught as you go and are word specific, because as you can see, “y” can be so many different sounds based on the word usage, word origin, and word letter placement.

There are two great websites that you might want to visit that discuss many of our language spelling rules: www.dyslexia.org/spelling_rules.shtml and www.kingsharvest.com/spellingrules.html. Hope this helps. Have fun.