Monthly Archives: January 2025

New Text to Speech Voices in Read&Write for Google Chrome

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Read&Write for Google Chrome, a literacy support extension available to anyone in LCPS, has been updated to include an array of new voices from which learners can choose. Invite learners to explore the new voices to choose the one that works best for them in any given situation. Educators can literally support student Voice and Choice! The new voices can be found by opening the toolbar and selecting Settings then Speech. 

The image shows the Settings menu for the Read&Write software. The menu is divided into two columns. The left column lists the following sections: Profiles, General, Speech, Prediction, Check It, Screen Masking, Talk&Type, Rewordify, Language, Features, Accounts, and About. The right column displays the settings for the "Speech" section, which include options for Voice, Speed, Reading, Speak As I Type, and Translation. The "texthelp" logo is located at the bottom left corner of the menu.

Read&Write for Google Chrome Speech Options

Users can then choose Change voice to explore the various voices. 

This image shows the "Speech" settings menu within the Read&Write software. The menu is divided into two columns. The left column lists various setting categories including "Profiles," "General," "Speech," "Prediction," "Check It," "Screen Masking," "Talk&Type," "Rewordify," "Language," "Features," "Accounts," and "About."The right column displays the "Speech" settings with the following options: Select voice: A search bar to find voices. Filter options: Radio buttons to filter voices by "All," "Offline," and "AI enhanced." Voice list: A list of available voices with checkmarks to indicate selection and play buttons to preview the voice. Voices listed include various English options with some marked as "Offline." The "texthelp" logo is located in the bottom left corner of the menu.

Read&Write for Google Chrome Change Voice Menu

Use the black arrow to listen to a sample and then select the voice itself to make a selection. Whether listening to text written by someone else or editing their own work, each learner can choose what works best for them.