Do you prefer to learn by listening? If so, you’re not alone—many people discover that auditory learning enhances their understanding and retention of information. Fortunately, text-to-speech tools convert electronic content into spoken words, allowing you to engage more deeply with the material. These tools significantly boost your interaction with the content. Whether you’re tackling lengthy articles, textbooks, or even emails, listening to the material helps you absorb it more effectively and makes the experience more enjoyable.
The benefits of using text-to-speech:
- For some, it is easier to focus on material in an audio format
- Enhances comprehension of the material
- Uses multiple modalities for learning, both audio and visual
- Accessible to individuals with visual impairments and to all levels of readers
Explore the benefits of using text-to-speech tools yourself. You can find text-to-speech tools in the free Microsoft and Google productivity applications.
Microsoft: Text-to-speech to maintain engagement
The text-to-speech tool in the Edge browser helps you focus when reading by using audio and visual tracking. Each word will be highlighted is it spoken out loud. And everything surrounding the selected text will be grayed out.
Read Aloud with Immersive Reader in the Edge web browser
- Select a web page to read.
- In the web address bar, click the Immersive Reader icon (open book icon).
- Then, click the Read Aloud tab in a bar at the top of the page. Trick: If you don’t see the Immersive Reader icon in the address bar. Click the More button (three dots by your profile picture) and select Read Aloud from the list.
- When using Read Aloud, each word is highlighted as spoken. One line of text is visible and the remainder of the screen is gray to help you find your place in the text.
- You can toggle between Play and Pause using the buttons in a bar at the top of the page.
- Next, click on Voice Options (top right of the page) to adjust the voice speed to match your reading speed or change the sound of the voice.
- Click the back arrow to return to the original view of the web page.
Microsoft Support article: Use Learning Tools in the Edge browser
Tip: Use the Immersive Reader feature in other free Microsoft productivity applications to stay focused and maintain engagement in reading documents or email. Check out the article Where is Immersive Reader?
Google: Text-to-speech to maintain engagement
Google created the Chrome Screen Reader extension to allow screen reader capability and text-to-speech functionality in the Chrome web browser. Take note, there is a difference between text-to-speech software and screen reader software. Text-to-speech software reads the content of a document or web page. Screen readers, designed for individuals with visual impairments, read the menus and other components on the screen as well as the content. So, keep in mind Google is using screen reader software to read a selection of text.
Speak Selection with the Chrome Screen Reader extension in the Chrome web browser
To have text read aloud in the Chrome browser, first install and enable the Google’s Chrome Screen Reader extension. Then, you may select text and have it read to you.
- Add the Chrome Screen Reader extension to the Chrome browser for Mac or Windows. Google Help instructions: Install and manage extensions
- Then, turn the screen reader on and off by clicking the puzzle piece next to your account profile picture, then select Manage Extensions and use the toggle button for the Screen Reader extension.
- After the Screen Reader extension is installed and turned on, open a web page.
- Now, the screen reader will start reading items on the screen. Use the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Z to turn the screen reader on and off.
- Keeping the screen reader on, use your mouse to select text to be read aloud.
Note: If you find using a screen reader for text-to-speech functionality a bit cumbersome, consider using a different text-to-speech Chrome extension created by a third party. Check out the resources a the end of the article.
Select-to-speak tool in Chromebooks
If you have a Chromebook, use the Select-to-Speak feature to have text read aloud. Once screen reader support is turned on in the Accessibility Settings, hold the Search key, then click and drag a window around the content. Release and hear the content spoken.
Apple: Read selected text
If you have a Mac computer, you can use the screen reader to read selected text using the operating system. View the step-by-step instructions in the AbilityNet website article: How to make your computer speak any text you have selected in macOS 13 Ventura
More tools for maintaining engagement in reading
- Page simplification to remove distractions
- Quiet notifications setting
- See the offline solutions for creating a distraction free environment and for maintaining engagement in reading.
Resources
These resources are provided to create awareness about text-to-speech options. It is a curated list of web browser extensions in alphabetical order.
Tip: You can install Chrome extensions in the Google Chrome web browser and the Microsoft Edge web browser.
Google Help instructions: Install and manage extensions
Microsoft Support instructions: Add, turn off, or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge
Free text-to-speech browser extensions to help focus when reading
Here are just a few free text-to-speech web browser extensions. More options are available in the web browser extension stores.
Natural Reader – Use the Natural Reader text-to-speech Chrome extension to read web pages or documents in Google Docs. Free, if you use the free voices. Premium voices and other features are included in the paid version.
Capti Voice – Text-to-speech technology that reads web pages, documents, and ebooks. You can install Capti Voice as a Chrome extension. Text is viewed in a Capti window when read aloud. One nice feature is the ability to add reading material to a playlist. The free personal account includes basic text-to-speech with highlighting.
Subscription text-to-speech browser extensions to assist with focusing while reading
Kurzweil 3000 – Software with digital support tools for reading and writing. Kurzweil 3000 has text-to-speech software with highlighting to read online text plus additional technology tools. Can be installed as a browser extension. Free trail period.
Read&Write – A software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. Read&Write has text-to-speech software with highlighting and many other technology tools. Can be installed as a Google Chrome extension. Free 30 day trial.
Snap&Read – Another software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. Snap&Read also includes text-to-speech with highlighting and a range of other technology tools. Can be installed as a browser extension. Free trial period.
Note: Some educational institutions and workplaces have a subscription to these software packages as part of inclusion practices. Check to see if you already have access to these tools through your school or employer, if applicable.
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