Embedded Files
Live Speech is a setting that allows students to type into the iPad and have it read what they have typed. This feature allows students to use their iPad as their voice.
Live Speech can be used on iPads with iPadOS 17 or later. To determine the iPadOS version, see Operating System.
Live Speech can support students to:
develop communication skills
participate in conversations and lessons
increase confidence to express themselves
learn a new language
build independence
To turn on Live Speech on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Tap each image below to learn more, and zoom in to get a closer look.
Go to "Settings". Tap "Accessibility."
Swipe up to find and tap "Live Speech".
Tap the circle to toggle on "Live Speech".
Tap "English (Canada)" to change the Live Speech voice.
Tap "Voice" to select a new voice from the menu options.
To change the voice speed, touch and drag the circle closer to the turtle to slow down the voice or closer to the rabbit to speed up the voice.
To change the pitch of the voice, drag the circle to the left to lower the pitch and to the right to higher the pitch.
Tap "Live Speech" to return to the Live Speech settings menu.
To use Live Speech on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Go to a screen on the iPad. Live Speech works on all screens, including the Lock Screen, Home Screen and in apps.
Tap the "Home Button" 3 times (triple-click). The Live Speech window will be shown at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the Live Speech window to bring up the Keyboard.
Type a sentence for the iPad to read out loud.
Tap "Speak" to hear the text read aloud.
Tap the "Pause" icon to pause the text from being read aloud.
Tap the "Play" icon to to start listening to the text be read aloud again, or tap "Clear", to remove the message from the Live Speech window.
Tap "Keyboard" to choose from sentences (phrases) that were recently written in the Live Speech window.
Tap "Saved" then tap "+Phrase" to add a new phrase.
Type a phrase. Then tap "Done".
To choose a Saved Phrase, tap "Keyboard", then tap "Recent" or "Saved" to select a phrase for the iPad to speak out loud.
Tap the "X" to close the Live Speech window.
To turn off Live Speech on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Swipe up to find and tap "Live Speech".
Tap the circle to toggle off "Live Speech".
Step-by-step instructions according to the iPad's Operating System:
LINKS TO EXTERNAL RESOURCES
LINKS TO EXTERNAL RESOURCES
The website links provided below are operated by organizations outside of the TDSB. These organizations are solely responsible for the operation and information found on their sites. In providing these links, it does not imply any endorsement of the organization or information found on the website. Any comments or inquiries regarding the linked websites should be directed to the organization operating the website.
With Live Speech, students in the TDSB can:
share a presentation. Use Live Speech to confidently present information to classmates.
share ideas during class discussions. Participate in class discussions using Live Speech to type ideas and hear them read out loud.
practice the pronunciation of challenging words. Type into the Live Speech window, then listen to, and repeat, the words out loud.
share their ideas. Live Speech allows students with early oral communication skills to share their ideas.
learn a new language. Educators can preload sentences, phrases or words for English Language Learners to hear and repeat out loud.
Last Updated June 16, 2025
Report abuse