Language Learning With Text‑to‑Speech

Last updated: December 2025

Text‑to‑speech can support language learning when you use it for repetition and focused listening. The goal is not to “replace real audio,” but to create a quick practice loop you can run every day.

Read‑Aloud specifics

Best Use‑Cases

• Pronunciation practice for short phrases
• Shadowing (repeat immediately after the audio)
• Reading practice with a consistent pace
• Listening drills for material you wrote yourself

Step 1: Choose a Language and Voice

1. Open Read‑Aloud.
2. Select a Language that matches your target language.
3. Select a voice. If you’re unsure, preview options in the voice picker.
4. Start at 0.9× speed for accuracy, then increase later.

Shadowing Routine (10 Minutes)

Shadowing means you speak right after the voice, trying to match rhythm and pronunciation.

1. Paste 5–10 sentences (short is better).
2. Listen once without speaking (just understand).
3. Listen again and repeat after each sentence.
4. Third pass: increase speed by 0.1× and repeat.

5-sentence shadowing sample (copy/paste)

Pick a target-language voice first, then paste one set below into Read‑Aloud.

ENGLISH (warm-up)
1) Good morning—how are you today?
2) I will start slowly, and then I will speed up.
3) Please repeat that sentence clearly, please.
4) At 7:30 p.m., I will review my notes for ten minutes.
5) If I make a mistake, I will pause, breathe, and try again.

ESPAÑOL (Spanish)
1) Hola, ¿cómo estás hoy?
2) Voy a empezar despacio y después más rápido.
3) ¿Puedes repetir esa frase con claridad, por favor?
4) A las 7:30 p. m., repasaré mis notas durante diez minutos.
5) Si me equivoco, haré una pausa, respiraré y lo intentaré de nuevo.

FRANÇAIS (French)
1) Bonjour, comment ça va aujourd’hui ?
2) Je vais commencer lentement, puis accélérer un peu.
3) Pouvez-vous répéter cette phrase clairement, s’il vous plaît ?
4) À 19 h 30, je réviserai mes notes pendant dix minutes.
5) Si je me trompe, je fais une pause, je respire et j’essaie encore.

Make Your Own “Practice Script”

The easiest way to practice daily is to maintain a personal script: sentences you actually use. Example categories:

• Greetings and small talk
• Ordering food
• Directions
• Work/school phrases you need

Pronunciation Drill: One Sentence, Many Repetitions

Pick a sentence you struggle with and repeat it 10–20 times, slowly at first. Keep your goal tiny: improve one sound (for example, “r” vs “l”, vowel length, stress).

Don’t Let TTS Teach Bad Habits

Some voices are better than others. If you notice robotic timing or odd emphasis, use TTS as a supplement, and also listen to native audio (podcasts, videos, teachers, etc.) for natural rhythm.

Next: Study with TTS · How to Use Read‑Aloud · All Guides