S is for Syllables
A syllable is a unit of pronunciation having a vowel sound and usually one or more consonant sounds. Syllables give words their rhythm and make poetry possible.
Saying an unfamiliar word syllable by syllable may help, although an understanding of prefixes and suffixes is essential for proper pronunciation.
A word may have only one syllable or many:
air (1 syllable)
afar (2 syllables)
ambush (2 syllables)
ambushed (3 syllables)
absolute (3 syllables)
absolutely (4 syllables)
avocation (4 syllables)
A prefix may have more than one syllable.
anti— an + ti (2 syllables)
A suffix may have more than one syllable.
─ally al + ly (2 syllables)
A root word may have more than one syllable, as well as a prefix and a suffix, making up a long word.
septic sep + tic (2 syllables)
antiseptically an + ti + sep + tic + al + ly (6 syllables)
English Manual: Letter by Letter 
This leap from A and B to the letter S should give you help in understanding how English words are put together and how they are pronounced.