The university (the noun begins with a vowel)
The house (it doesn't)

My English teacher, an old man, claims that we need to make the distinction in the way we say "the", depending on the following noun, i.e. if the nouns begins with a vowel, we must say "thee". Everybody does this, he says.


Okay, he may well be right, but I'd still like a confirmation. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I'd like to speak English as well as possible.

Are there two different pronunciations of the word "the", then? Is it necessary to make the distinction?

(Damn. I thought I had posted this earlier today but apparently forgot to submit the message. I'm demented)