Say goodbye to the frustration of losing your place while reading online by using a free text-to-speech tool that includes highlighting. This dynamic combination not only reads text aloud but also visually highlights the words as they are spoken, helping you stay focused and engaged with the material. By synchronizing audio with visual cues, you can enhance your comprehension and retention while enjoying a smoother reading experience.
The benefits of text-to-speech with highlighting:
- Guides your attention and keeps you place in the reading material
- Uses multiple modalities for learning, both audio and visual
- Enhances comprehension of the material
Let’s get started. You can try the technology first-hand, if you’d like. Use the free Word Online application to try text-to-speech with highlighting in a document application. Follow the instructions below.
Microsoft: Text-to-speech in Immersive Reader in Word Online
Microsoft developed the Immersive Reader feature to support individuals with dyslexia. 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.
- Open a document in Word Online.
- Select the View tab.
- Click Immersive Reader.
- 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
Tip: Use text-to-speech with highlighting on webpages using Immersive Reader in the Edge web browser. Immersive Reader is available in several Microsoft productivity applications. Check out the article Where is Immersive Reader?
Google: Text-to-speech extension in the web browser
Unfortunately, the Speak Selection tool built into the free Google Docs does not include highlighting, so it is not a good tool for tracking. If you want to use text-to-speech with highlighting in Google Docs, you have the option of installing a third party extension to your web browser. For a curated list of web browser extensions, check out the resources.
One exception: If you use a Chromebook, the Select-to-Speak feature will highlight each word as spoken. Reference the Google Help instructions Hear text read aloud or the Google for Education YouTube video Select-to-Speak.
Other ways to keep your place while reading
- Digital reading window
- When reading paper materials, use a bookmark, ruler, or reading guide. Discover additional reading solutions on the offline solutions page.
Resources
These resources are provided to create awareness about additional options for text-to-speech with highlighting.
Tip: You can install Chrome extensions in the Google Chrome web browser and the Microsoft Edge web browser. Chrome and Edge can be installed on both Mac and Windows computers.
Google Help instructions: Install and manage extensions
Microsoft Support instructions: Add, turn off, or remove extensions in Microsoft Edge
Helperbird – A toolbar with digital support tools for reading. The text-to-speech feature does not include highlighting; however, in the Helperbird toolbar you can access Immersive Reader which has text-to-speech with highlighting. Free trial period.
Kurzweil 3000 – Software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. Kurzweil 3000 has text-to-speech software with highlighting to read online text. Free trail period.
Read&Write – A software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. Read&Write includes text-to-speech with highlighting. 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. Free trial period.
Note: Some educational institutions and workplaces have a subscription to these extensions as part of inclusion practices. Check to see if you already have access to these tools through your school or employer, if applicable.
Start your journey to greater efficiency
Are you ready to transform the way you learn, work, or manage tasks at home? My mission is to help you implement mainstream assistive technology to enhance your daily life. I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Let’s work together to identify your unique needs and preferences, and create a plan that helps you reach your goals with confidence.
Contact me today to explore how digital support tools can make a real difference in your life. Your journey to greater efficiency and empowerment can begin now.
< To Reading Toolkit page