It is very easy to improve your speech as you read on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac (desktop or laptop), or PC. Use earphones to practice anywhere and often.

Make sure you have the voice speed set to that of normal speech, not too fast and not too slow.

With an Apple device, there are two ways to practice reading before hearing the text read out loud. We will show you how to use both approaches.

1. 1.The first way is to hear selected text.
   

2. 2.The second way is to use VoiceOver.
   

Using “Speak Selected Text” Function

Make sure the text is as large as possible up to 36.

To  set up the Mac for reading selected text, go to the System Preferences panel and select Speech. When this panel opens, check the “Text to Speech” tab. Select “Alex” for the voice. Set the voice slider to normal speech rate, and check the box that says “Speak selected text when the key is pressed”. Then select your key stroke. Control and space works well, as one choice. Note: When pressing this keystroke, be sure to press Control down first before hitting the space bar.

To Set up an iOS device, go to Settings, select General and then select “Accessibility” and then “Speak Selection”. When this window shows, turn the on/off button to on. Also, set the speaking rate slider to normal speaking rate.

Note: When practicing on an iOS device, it is often best to select a whole paragraph or group of sentences and then use the speak and pause button to stop as often as you wish, and wherever you wish. Press “Speak” again to hear the whole selection read again from the beginning. Make sure your hand does not cover up the text as you hold a finger above the Speak/Pause button.

On a PC you want to use Ultra Hal and use the “speak text in clipboard function”. Make sure you have selected this in the Options section. With Ultra Hal you copy and paste the text you want to practice on into the Ultra Hal window. Note: To play selected text, press control and “c”.

Then raise the font size up to 36, for easy selection and reading.

Either way begin by starting to select some text, either with your mouse or your finger. As you start to select the text, begin to read the text out loud. Continue to select as much text as you want to read. This can be to the next comma or period, for example.

Then press the signal to have the text read out loud. Listen to the text and then echo any words you did not get right. Next read the whole sentence fluently in one clip, pausing at the commas. Sometimes, you will have selected a whole sentence to begin with.

Using VoiceOver

On an iOS Device

To Read Text Out Loud Before Hearing it Read

Read out loud the next amount of text, before pressing the forward arrow key to hear it read out loud. At the bottom of the page, press option and down arrow to go to the next page. Then touch the top line of text when you are ready to hear it read out loud. If the bottom line of text is split (not complete), do not try to read it. Instead, press option and down arrow to go to the next page; then press the top line of text and then quickly press the left arrow key. The last line you read will be read again, and you will see the next section of text in full, and be ready to start the new page of text. Moving up a page is just the opposite. If the top line of text is split (not complete), press the top line of text and then quickly press the left arrow key. The last line you read will be read again, and you will see the next section of text in full, and be ready to start the new page of text.

On a Mac Computer

To Read Text Out Loud Before Hearing it Read

Read out loud the next amount of text, before pressing the forward arrow key to hear it read out loud. At the bottom of the page, press option and down arrow (or the page down key) to go to the next page. Then click on the top line of text when you are ready to hear it read out loud. If the bottom line of text is split (not complete), do not try to read it. Instead, press option and down arrow (or the page down key) to go to the next page; then press the top line of text and then quickly press the left arrow key. The last line you read will be read again, and you will see the next section of text in full, and be ready to start the new page of text. Moving up a page is just the opposite. If the top line of text is split (not complete), press the top line of text and then quickly press the left arrow key. The last line you read will be read again, and you will see the next section of text in full, and be ready to start the new page of text.

General Tips for Improving Speech

Most people can improve their speech and communication greatly by focusing on three things:

1. 1.Make sure you read the end of each word correctly, saying the last letters correctly.
   

2. 2.Do not add any extra sounds as you read. Some people, for example, have gotten into the bad habit of adding an “s” sound over and over, when there is no such sound present in the text.
   

3. 3.Pause at the commas and periods. Not doing this is the biggest mistake most speakers make, and the easiest one to correct. Other people can not understand you if you do not pause between thoughts.