Text-to-Speech (TTS) / Read Aloud
If your students are not using dedicated accessibility software and still want to hear the content of Learn Engines activities read aloud, they can use the built-in features from their web browser or operating system.
Web Browsers
These features are often the most convenient for students as they are integrated directly into the browsing window.
| Browser | Feature Name | Activation Command / Path | Official Support Link |
| Apple Safari (iOS/iPadOS) | Listen to Page | Use: Open a web page. Tap the “aA” icon in the address bar, then tap Listen to Page. (Only available on pages that support Reader mode.) | Listen to a webpage in Safari on iPhone – Apple Support |
| Apple Safari (macOS) | Start Speaking | Use: Open a web page. Select the text you want to hear, then go to the Edit menu in the menu bar, navigate to Speech, and select Start Speaking. | Have your Mac speak text that’s on the screen – Apple Support |
| Microsoft Edge | Read aloud | Use: Click Settings and more (…) menu, select Read aloud. OR Right-click selected text and choose Read aloud selection. | Read aloud – Microsoft |
| Google Chrome | Reading Mode/Read Aloud | Use (Desktop): Click the Reading Mode icon (usually on the right side of the address bar) to simplify the page, then use the Read Aloud button within that panel. | Use Reading mode in Chrome – Google Help (Desktop) |
| Mozilla Firefox | Extension-Based | Note: Requires a browser add-on. Recommend searching for “Read Aloud” in the Firefox Add-ons store. |
Desktop & Laptop Built-in Features
Most desktop and laptop operating systems include a full screen reader that can be quickly activated to read web pages, documents, and other screen content.
| Operating System | Feature Name | How to Activate |
| Windows 10/11 | Narrator | Quick Start: Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter to launch/stop the full screen reader. Complete guide to Narrator – Microsoft Support |
| macOS | VoiceOver / Spoken Content | Quick Start (Speak Selection): Enable in Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content. Select the text you want to read, then use the keyboard shortcut (often Option + Esc). Have your Mac speak text that’s on the screen (Mac Feature) |
| ChromeOS | Select to Speak | Quick Start: Enable in Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech > Select to Speak. Click the accessibility icon (bottom right) and drag your cursor over the text or click a specific area to hear it read. Hear text read aloud (Select to Speak or ChromeVox) – Google Accessibility Help |
Mobile Device Built-in Features
Mobile operating systems use simple gestures or settings to initiate the read-aloud function.
| Operating System | Feature Name | How to Activate |
| iOS / iPadOS | Spoken Content | Quick Start (Speak Screen): Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and turn on Speak Screen. Once enabled, use a two-finger swipe down from the top of the screen to read the entire page. |
| Android | Select to Speak | Quick Start: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Select to Speak. Turn on the shortcut. Tap the Accessibility button (usually in the lower corner) then tap the screen text you want to hear. Use Select to Speak – Android Accessibility Help |
| Google Assistant | Quick Start: Open a web page in Chrome or Google app. Say “Hey Google,” then say, “Read this page” or “Read aloud.” Read web pages or use a screen reader – Google Assistant Help |