Improved reading speed with TorTalk speech synthesis
On 28 November 2017, research from Uppsala University was published in the Journal of Special Education Technology. The study recognizes that reading with TorTalk TTS increases both reading speed and often reading comprehension compared to reading with your eyes.
“As can be seen in Table 4, reading with TTS led to a large increase in reading rate in the group as a whole.”
The study was carried out by speech therapist Sofia Grunér (picture) with support from supervisors Per Östberg and Martina Hedenius.
Reading speed and reading comprehension
We can see that both groups had positive results if you multiply speed and comprehension (thus group 2 did not increase in comprehension alone).
“As seen in Table 3, TTS led to a significant increase in reading comprehension in the group as a whole. However, within grade groups analyses revealed that this effect was driven largely by the effect in the younger group, whereas the effect within the older group was very small and nonsignificant.
“As can be seen in Table 4, reading with TTS led to a large increase in reading rate in the group as a whole.”
The study as a whole (will be opened in a new window).
More effective studies with TorTalk TTS
Undertaking a higher education, a great amount of text has to be read. If you are able to increase your reading speed, and also often the reading comprehension, efficiency will be improved. Add that you no longer have to listen to the text within parenthesis, a TorTalk function, and effectiveness will be even better.
Step up stamina with TTS
“In another study of 50 adult participants with RD, Elkind, Black, and Murray (1996) found a significant effect of TSS on reading rate. Using TTS also enabled the participants to sustain reading during longer periods of time.”
More about TorTalk TTS at the University
We can see that our users read faster with TTS and that their stamina is increased. Over time most of them also step up their reading speed even more. As reading speed is easily adjusted during reading it is easy to challenge your speed.
This enables skim reading, which has been impossible for someone with dyslexia earlier. This is one of the reasons we offer education including study techniques when meeting our partner Universities.
“Studying has been so neat with TorTalk and I no longer feel like having dyslexia when studying”
Fatima Sjögren Alpha, student at Lunds University (LTU)
