Tips on Using Text to Speech for ESL/EFL Students

When you are learning a new language such as English, the method may not be an effortless one. Nevertheless since the development of the text to speech applications the process of learning has become easier 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.

The text to speech programs are widely used not just for those students that are interested in learning English grammar and language; they are also used for students that are visually impaired. The visually challenged students no longer have to wait for somebody to read to them. They can now study and learn at their own pace at whatever time they choose. There are several text to speech programs that do not apply to the visually impaired student because they've 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.. A few 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 services 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.
· You can figure out how to pronounce either one word or a block of words and build exercises to suit yourself.
· The EFL and ESL student may also structure short dialogues and regulate the run time to aid them learn dialogue.

One of the constraints when using the text to speech programs is that 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.;
Make a listing of sentences, convert them to speech and listen to them.;
· 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 an online text to speech service.

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 and also an online text to speech service that helps them in the learning process.