Proofreading with Text to Speech (TTS)

Text-to-speech (TTS) technology turns written text into spoken words, and it’s a game-changer for students who need a little extra support with reading and writing. Beyond just being cool tech, TTS helps students hear their work, catch mistakes, and even boost their confidence as writers.

Who Can Benefit from TTS?

Everyone can benefit from TTS. TTS isn’t just for students with specific learning needs (though it’s incredibly helpful for them). Kids with dyslexia, ADHD, or other challenges can listen to words spoken aloud, which helps them grasp tricky sentence structures and pronunciation. But the benefits don’t stop there. Younger students, busy high schoolers who are always on the go, or anyone needing a break from staring at text can find value in this tool. Students with autism or emotional disabilities who struggle to concentrate for long periods also often thrive with the consistent support TTS provides.

How TTS Fits into Everyday Learning

The beauty of TTS is that it’s everywhere – on your phone, laptop, or even the apps you already use. Tools like Read&Write or Microsoft’s Learning Accelerators bundle TTS with other handy features, like phonetic spell checking or word prediction. They make it super easy for students to access digital documents, web pages, and more. Essentially, TTS tools act like a computerized learning support assistant for students, helping them tackle everything from proofreading essays to reading aloud online research.

Why TTS Works So Well

Research backs up what teachers and students already know: TTS works. By taking the heavy lifting of word decoding out of the equation, students can focus on listening to the actual content. That means better comprehension and memory retention. Plus, the way TTS highlights words as it reads makes it easier to spot typos and tricky phrasing. And let’s not overlook the confidence boost – it feels great to catch your own mistakes without someone else pointing them out.

TTS as a Proofreading Powerhouse

One of the most practical uses for TTS is proofreading. Why? It reads exactly what’s on the page – not what you meant to write. Misspelled words sound wrong. Missing punctuation is immediately noticeable. That makes it much easier to catch those sneaky errors your brain might skip over when you read silently or even out loud. It’s like having a second set of eyes, except they’re digital and never get tired. Children will often hear spelling mistakes that they would otherwise miss when reading.

With TTS, students notice when a piece of writing doesn’t flow. They will hear the parts that are clunky and need reworking, the parts where the tone isn’t quite right, or where the writing needs a little more detail. Punctuation mistakes blurt out of the speakers when the computer reads them aloud – regardless of age students will instantly hear where periods are missing, where commas are needed and where a new paragraph needs to start. Using TTS also familiarizes students with reading through their work critically during exam or test conditions.

Types of TTS Tools You’ll Find

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to TTS, but here’s a quick rundown of what’s out there:

• Built-in Tools: Most smartphones, tablets, and computers already have TTS features baked in. Check your settings – you might already have access without downloading anything.
• Web-Based Options: Websites with TTS capabilities let you use the tool straight from your browser. No fuss.
• Apps: Dedicated TTS apps give students the freedom to use the technology wherever they need it, across devices. Our favorite dedicated app is Natural Reader.
• Specialized Software: Literacy programs like Microsoft Reading Progress combine TTS with other educational goodies to take learning to the next level.

What the Research Says

TTS is excellent for catching typos and small errors and when students listen to their writing it can also inspire big-picture edits like reorganizing paragraphs or tightening up arguments. Research suggests that students using TTS spot far more errors than those who don’t. It’s a fantastic tool for what it does best: listening to and hearing the writing; as well as the hidden benefits when proofreading and refining.

What’s Next for TTS?

As TTS voices become more human-like and the tech gets smarter with context-aware reading, its role in education will only expand. Schools are already catching on, incorporating TTS into classrooms to support kids with diverse learning needs. And as awareness grows, so will its potential to bridge gaps in literacy and make learning more inclusive. By taking advantage of text-to-speech tools, students can step up their proofreading game and sharpen their writing skills. Whether they’re tackling an essay, reading for class, or just trying to catch a typo, TTS gives them the edge they need. It’s not just about fixing mistakes; it’s about building confidence and independence with creative and procedural writing  – skills that go beyond the classroom.

Useful TTS resources for teachers and parents

• Our favorite TTS app is Natural Reader. It works on phones, tablets, desktops and everything in between. It will read text, Word documents, Office files, PDFs and much more. There’s even a browser extension to read web pages. Most importantly there’s a free option.
• Here’s a useful guide to using TTS on Chromebooks.
• Explore how to use TTS on your Android phone.
• Google Docs users have access to free TTS facilities. This article explains how adding a free add-on can enable students to have the computer read out all their Google Documents.
• This article from Microsoft details how to activate and use TTS in Word, including selecting custom voices. There’s also a guide for using TTS in OneNote, Excel and PowerPoint, using the quick access toolbar in Office apps across desktop and mobile apps. Word Online also offers TTS through the immersive reader option and there’s a guide on how to use it here.
• Find out how to activate TTS on your iOS device, such as an iPhone or iPad.
• https://www.naturalreaders.com/
• Aventido has written a useful guide for parents exploring exactly what text-to-speech software is and does and how dyslexic children can use it in a school setting.