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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

Read the full article here for step-by-step instructions and reflections: www.linkedin.com/posts/joedal...

Enhancing Accessibility and Autonomy: Chrome’s New Read Aloud Feature for Language Learning | Joe Dale

Discover how Google Chrome’s new Read Aloud feature in Reading Mode enhances accessibility, promotes learner autonomy, supports pronunciation practice, and boosts language learning effectiveness.

www.linkedin.com

Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

Thanks to @ictevangelist.bsky.social for highlighting this update and making it more visible to the education community.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

For educators, language learners, or anyone wanting more accessible web reading, this tool is worth experimenting with.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

I recorded my full exploration and reactions using Audiopen and fact-checked my experience with Perplexity, sharing a detailed guide to enable and use the feature.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

The voices still sound a bit robotic compared to premium tools, but this free integrated feature is a promising step forwards in combining technology, autonomy, and accessibility.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

You can also pin the reading pane for continuous access as you browse, and simply highlighting any text automatically loads it to the reading pane, ready to be read aloud.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

Its accessibility options include customisable fonts, adjustable line and letter spacing, and colour themes including yellow and blue backgrounds, which some dyslexic readers find easier to read.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

The feature offers multiple voices, allows voice speed adjustments, and supports many languages, providing a useful resource for learners practising pronunciation and improving comprehension.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

By enabling just a couple of experimental flags in chrome://flags, you can activate Read Aloud and phrase-level highlighting, making it easier to follow along with the spoken text.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 25m

Yesterday I discovered an exciting new feature in Google Chrome’s Reading Mode, a built-in Read Aloud tool designed to enhance accessibility and language learning.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

Here is the recording of this week's NCLE webinar launching LEO, the free CPD platform aimed at language teachers: vimeo.com/1125807182/5...

NCLE Webinar: Language Educator's Online - 8th Oct '25

We are delighted to introduce our new professional learning platform: LEO. Tour our interactive, flexible and engaging professional learning platform in this webinar.…

vimeo.com

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

It was a pleasure working with such a motivated group. Full presentation available here: docs.google.com/presentation...

Harris Federation-wide CPD day - Chinese Strand

Enhancing Listening and Reading Chinese with AI Harris Federation-wide CPD day 10th October 2025 Joe Dale [email protected] @joedale

docs.google.com

Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

As a former French teacher without Mandarin expertise, many examples were co-created live with the audience. This collaborative approach proved invaluable for creating authentic, contextualised resources. Teachers left with practical strategies to apply immediately.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

Throughout the day, I emphasised anonymising data when using AI tools. Teachers should use letters or numbers to replace student names to comply with the Harris Federation's HPR rating and AI policy. Data protection is non-negotiable.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

QuestionWell automates question creation. We generated 10 multiple-choice questions in Simplified Chinese. Free usage now limits users to five exports per month. I exported as a CSV file for use in Blooket formative assessment.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

CLOZEit, a Google Docs extension, allows instant gap-fill creation. Highlight pinyin or Mandarin Chinese characters, and it generates worksheets with word banks, downloadable as editable Word documents.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

I demonstrated a dictation workaround using ChatGPT's advanced voice mode on iPad. By pointing the device speaker at the microphone, ChatGPT responded in Mandarin Chinese, which TurboScribe transcribed. Students could use this for self-analysis with parental permission.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

TurboScribe converts audio and video into text transcripts. The free account allows three files per day, up to 30 minutes each. I extracted a 52-minute Chinese YouTube video and showed how transcripts download as editable Word documents.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

I also used Magic Padlet to generate 10 distinct images for GCSE photo card revision, helping students apply the PALMW mnemonic (People, Action, Location, Mood, Weather).

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

Magic Padlet enables advanced moderated speaking tasks. I created a board with a Teacher Questions column and 30 student columns, isolating only the audio recorder. Teachers listen to submissions before approving them for peer viewing, ideal for mock exam prep.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

Here's a practical workaround: Mizou doesn't allow selecting entire transcripts at once. I used GoFullPage to screenshot conversations, uploaded to ChatGPT's Vision to extract text, then generated detailed feedback. Parental permission is essential before uploading student work.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

Session 2 concentrated on productive skills. I introduced Mizou, a free, GDPR-compliant tool for scenario-based speaking practice. I set up a chatbot as a Chinese waiter speaking only in A1-level Chinese.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

I imported Padlet AI images into Wheel of Names with 10 AI-generated questions about food and drink opinions in both pinyin and Mandarin. This creates an interactive starter or plenary activity in seconds.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

I used Padlet AI Image (GDPR compliant with automatic moderation) to create bespoke visuals. We co-created an image by asking attendees to describe their "happy place". All generated images download together.

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Joe Dale @joedale.bsky.social · 1d

Vidnoz (18+ only) creates talking avatars for listening practice. You select an avatar, choose Mandarin Chinese as the TTS language, paste your script in Chinese characters, and download the video. Free usage is now limited to 2 minutes daily.

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