When reading becomes difficult or fatiguing, free text-to-speech technology can be a game changer. This innovative tool converts written text into synthesized speech, allowing you to hear the content read aloud. It’s a fantastic way to improve comprehension and reduce strain, especially for lengthy documents or challenging material. In this article, we’ll explore how to use Microsoft and Google applications to access text-to-speech features, making your reading experience more accessible and enjoyable.
The benefits of using text-to-speech:
- Supports the preference of listening to learn
- Increases understanding of the reading material
- Uses multiple modalities for learning, both audio and visual
- Accessible to individuals with visual impairments and to all levels of readers
Think of text-to-speech as listening-to-learn. If you have a preference for auditory learning, are fatigued by reading, experience characteristics of dyslexia, or are an English language learner, text-to-speech technology can increase your productivity.
Ready to explore free text-to-speech technology? We will be using Word Online and Google Docs. So first, log into your free Microsoft account and free Google account.
Microsoft: Text-to-speech in Immersive Reader in Word Online
Microsoft developed the Immersive Reader feature to support individuals with dyslexia. Thus, Immersive Reader includes text-to-speech with word-by-word highlighting; plus, many more functions.
To understand how text-to-speech works in the Immersive Reader feature have it read a document in Word Online.
Word Online
- Open a document in Word Online.
- Select the View tab.
- Click Immersive Reader.
- Then, press the Play button at the bottom of the screen to start text-to-speech. You may toggle between Play and Pause.
- Select the Speaker icon next to the Play button at the bottom of the screen to adjust the Voice Speed and choose either a Female or Male voice.
- As each word is spoken, the word will be highlighted for visual tracking. Furthermore, one line of text will be visible and the remainder of the screen will be gray to help you keep your place in the document.
Microsoft Support articles: Learning Tools in Word
Outlook Online
- Open a message in Outlook Online.
- Select the View tab.
- Click Immersive Reader.
- Press the Play button (triangle icon) at the bottom of the screen.
- Click the back arrow to return to the original formatting of the message.
Edge web browser
- Open a web page with mostly text.
- In the address bar at the top, click Immersive Reader (book icon).
- Click the words Read Aloud in the top right of the window.
- Press the Pause or Play button the top.
- Click the back arrow to return to the original webpage.
Tip: Immersive Reader is available in the following free Microsoft applications: Word Online, OneNote Online, Outlook Online, Microsoft Teams, Edge web browser, and the Microsoft Lens app. Read the article Where is Immersive Reader.
Google: Text-to-speech functionality in Google Docs
Google has created text-to-speech functionality utilizing the Chrome Screen Reader extension. First, you must enable the screen reader. Then, you may place the cursor in the text and have the “Verbalize from cursor location” feature read the text to you.
Tip: 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 the text.
Verbalize from Cursor Location in Google Docs
Listen to documents spoken out loud using the Verbalize from Cursor Location tool in Google Docs. First, the Chrome Screen Reader must be installed and turned on in the Accessibility settings.
- Add the Chrome Screen Reader extension to the Chrome browser for Mac or Windows.
- 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 document in Google Docs.
- Click Tools in the menu. Select Accessibility Settings and click the checkbox for screen reader support.
Google Help article: Accessibility for Doc Editors
From now on:
- In Google Docs, place the cursor at the beginning of the text.
- Click Accessibility from the menu.
- Choose “Verbalize to screen reader” (previous version said “Speak”) from the drop down, then click “Verbalize from cursor location.”
- Turn the screen reader off by using the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Z.
- To begin reading again, follow the instructions in this section from step 1.
View these instructions with screenshots from TechStartUps.com: How to make Google Docs read your documents out loud to you, using a Google Chrome Vox extension
Recommendation: If you find using a screen reader for text-to-speech functionality cumbersome, use a different text-to-speech Chrome extension created by a third party. The article How to Get Google Docs to Read to You explains how to use the free version of the Read&Write extension. And the article 2 Ways to Use Text-to-Speech in Google Docs to Read Aloud shows how to use the Read Aloud extension.
Select-to-Speak Tool in Chromebooks
Chromebook users can use the Select-to-Speak tool to have text, an image, or icon 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 spoken.
Google for Education YouTube video: Select to Speak
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
Other strategies when reading is difficult or fatiguing
- Optical character recognition (OCR) paired with text-to-speech
- Audiobooks. Check out the resources on the offline solutions page.
Resources
Helpful articles on text-to-speech
Text-to-Speech Technology: What It Is and How It Works – article from Understood.org that answers the question, What is text-to-speech?
Research Shows Text To Speech For eLearning Beneficial To Students – article from eLearning Industry that includes links to research on text-to-speech software
Free read-aloud book libraries for qualified individuals
Bookshare – Free subscription service for students with a disability that impacts reading (learning disability, visual disability, or physical disability). Adults with a print disability are eligible for a low-cost subscription. Bookshare provides access to thousands of electronic copies of books and textbooks. Paired with text-to-speech applications, the books are read aloud with synthesized speech.
Learning Ally – Learning Ally has a comprehensive library of books and textbooks that are read aloud by a human narrator. The company has partnered with some states to provide this solution to school districts for free.
Text-to-speech web browser extensions – free with limitations
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. Certain features like premium voices and OCR capability 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.
SpeakIt – Very basic text-to-speech Chrome extension that reads any online text that you can select. Select text, right click, and press Speak. Does not highlight individual words as spoken.
Note: 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.
Paid text-to-speech technology plus OCR capability
Claro Read – Claro Read is a reading and writing toolbar that include text-to-speech and pairs OCR technology with text-to-speech. Different applications are available for Windows, Mac, Chrome Extension, iOS device and Android devices. Free trial.
Kami – An annotation application with OCR and text-to-speech technology. Install as a Chrome extension. The free version includes basic note taking tools plus OCR technology, but not text-to-speech. Text-to-speech technology is included in the paid version.
Kurzweil 3000 – Reading and writing software that includes many digital support tools. Kurzweil 3000 has text-to-speech software with highlighting to read online text. It also includes an image reader to convert an image of text into electronic text that can be read aloud. Can be installed as a browser extension. Free trial period.
Read&Write – A software toolbar with many digital support tools for reading and writing. Read&Write has text-to-speech software with highlighting. Furthermore, it includes a screenshot reader that converts an image of text into electronic text that can be read aloud. Available as a Google Chrome extension. Free 30 day trial.
Snap&Read – Another software option for reading and writing support. Like the others, Snap&Read includes text-to-speech with highlighting and a screenshot reader. An image of text converted in electronic text to be read aloud using the screenshot reader. Offered as a browser extension. Free trial period.
Voice Dream Reader – Reading and writing application that includes both text-to-speech and OCR technology plus other digital support tools. iOS only. Free version only reads the first 300 characters of a document. Paid version is low cost.
Note: Some educational institutions and workplaces have a subscription to these software packages as part of inclusion practices. Check to see if you have already have access to these tools through your school or employer, if applicable.
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