"W" and "Y" as vowels or consonants?

When determining if the Y is a vowel or a consonant, the basic rule is this:

When the letter serves as a vowel, and in fact sounds like one, it is a vowel. The same is true when the Y serves as the only vowel in the syllable. Examples of both of these cases are such names as Lynn, Yvonne, Mary, Betty, Elly, and Bryan.

However, if the Y does not provide a separate vowel sound, as when it is coupled with another vowel, it is considered a consonant.

In names such as Maloney or Murray, the Y is a consonant, because the vowel sound depends upon the long E in Maloney and the long A in Murray.

In general, the Y is a consonant when the syllable already has a vowel. Also, the Y is considered a consonant when it is used in place of the soft J sound, such as in the name Yolanda or Yoda.

In the names Bryan and Wyatt, the Y is a vowel, because it provides the only vowel sound for the first syllable of both names. For both of these names, the letter A is part of the second syllable, and therefore does not influence the nature of the Y.

More examples:

In Sydney, the first Y is a vowel, the second Y is a consonant.

In Billy, Sylvia, Missy, Kyle, Blythe, Sylvester, and Katy, the Y is a vowel

In Kay, Yeltsin, May, and Kuykendahl, the Y is a consonant.

The letter W: Vowel or Consonant.

Some numerologists consider the W a vowel in certain circumstances, such as when found between two vowels. I don't. However, if you do believe the W in some names should be considered a vowel, you have the option to designate it as such.

Our vowels are

A E I O U and sometimes Y.

That is always taught as basic. Just went to a library program today with "Leonardo the Musician" and the kids formed the vowels with their arms and body. Was a cute program and it is going all over. It helps teach basics in a fun way.

W is consonant all the time, never a vowel.

Y when it sounds like a vowel, usually like an i or e sound. Other times it Is a consonant.

I remember being taught that "w" could be a vowel, but I have no idea how. I haven't heard that in years, and apparently (according to the answers here) it may not be taught any more. I'm starring this. I hope a grammatical genius does weigh in on this.

W is not a vowel. I've never heard of such a thing in my life...

'Y' is only considered a vowel when it's surrounded by consonants, such as in the word "thyme". There are also cases where there are no other vowels in the word at all, such as the word "fly" or "try".