January 13, 2017

Most Gale databases offer the ability to have an article read aloud using text-to-speech technology. The Listen tool is powered by ReadSpeaker, and while it is machine-driven, it provides very good narration. You can find the Listen option towards the top left side of nearly any Gale article. Look for this icon:

Here are three tips for using the Listen feature.

1. When you click on the orange-red arrow, the narration starts at the beginning of the article. However, you can also highlight a section of text and then click on the Listen arrow to have only the highlighted text read aloud.
2. After you activate ReadSpeaker by clicking on the arrow, click on the gear to change settings like the text color, reading speed, highlighting options, and more.
   

   
   
   
   
   
   

3. If you translate an article and then click on Listen, the article will be read aloud in the translated language.
   
    
   
   

Who might want to know about this? Struggling readers, teachers of ELL students, educators preparing students for the listening portion of the Smarter Balanced tests, those studying a foreign language, and more.

Questions? Please ask.

Thanks,
Jen

Jennifer Maurer
School Library Consultant
Oregon State Library