subject: Are you a EFL/ESL Student? Learn how Text to Speech can help you [print this page] Are you a EFL/ESL Student? Learn how Text to Speech can help you
Learning the English language can be really hard for students from non English speaking countries.. Nevertheless since the development of the text to speech services the process of learning has become simpler for the teacher as well as the student.
Text to speech programs are programs that synthetically send the text of a story, book, magazine, newspaper, etc. orally to the computer. This enables the student to hear the text as it should sound.
Another key use of text to speech software is for the visually impaired.. The visually challenged students no longer have to wait for someone to read to them. They can now study and learn at their own pace at whatever time they choose. There are some text to speech programs that don't apply to the visually impaired student because they have got some text that must be read on the computer.
Text to Speech technologies has it's own merits and demerits, but the merits clearly outweighs the merits.. Some of the advantages are:
A TTS user can choose to convert almost any text. Ex: Text from RSS feed or Text from various kinds of documents.;
Some programs allow you to adjust the speed and pace of the audio generated.;
A student can download the mp3 to their favorite mp3 player and listen to it on the go.
A student can adjust the pace based on their learning speed..
The EFL and ESL student also can compose small dialogues and regulate the run time to help them learn dialogue.
One of the restrictions while using the text to speech programs is they require a fast computer. Although today's computers are equipped with new and faster technology not all EFL and ESL student may have the means with which to have access to a newer and faster computer. Also, the files generated by the desktop programs are locally stored and not available from other computers. An online text to speech service can help the students overcome these limitations.
In order to help the EFL and ESL students learn to speak and read in English there are some tips to assist them in the use of these programs efficiently;
Make a listing of words that are usually difficult to pronounce and work on these words.;
Write your own short sentences and then listen to them and make the proper corrections in your speech;
Together with another EFL or ESL student prepare short dialogues and listen to them. Again make all proper corrections until you both pronounce the words correctly; and
Make it a daily habit to read newspapers and magazines with the help of the text to speech program.
This is only a short list of tips to help the EFL and ESL student to learn to use the English language. Students can create their own tips as they learn.
