Use Free Text-to-Speech Tools to Check Spelling and Grammar

Microsoft: Text-to-speech in Immersive Reader in Word Online

1. Open a document in Word Online.
2. Select the View tab.
3. Click Immersive Reader.
4. Press the Play button at the bottom of the screen to start text-to-speech. You may toggle between Play and Pause.
5. 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.
6. 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

Several free Microsoft applications have Immersive Reader built-in; such as, Word Online, OneNote Online, Outlook Online, Edge web browser, Microsoft Teams, and the Microsoft Lens mobile app. Read the article, Where is Immersive Reader?, to learn how to find it in each application.

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.

1. Add the Chrome Screen Reader extension to the Chrome browser for Mac or Windows.
2. 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.
3. After the Screen Reader extension is installed and turned on, open a document in Google Docs.
4. 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:

1. In Google Docs, place the cursor at the beginning of the text.
2. Click Accessibility from the menu.
3. Choose “Verbalize to screen reader” (previous version said “Speak”) from the drop down, then click “Verbalize from cursor location.”

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: Speak Selection and Speak Typing Feedback

Speak Selection

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

Speak Typing Feedback

You can have your Mac computer speak letters as you type and speak each completed word. This can be helpful feedback. On your Mac computer, go to the Apple icon > System Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Speak Typing Feedback.