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Speak Screen is a setting on the iPad that allows students to have everything on the screen read out loud starting from the top of the page.
This setting is helpful for students who cannot highlight text on the screen. Speak Screen can be used with Safari Reader to read online articles.
Speak Screen can support students to:
build independence
strengthen comprehension and fluency
boost confidence with reading
improve pronunciation
increase focus and attention
learn new words
To turn on Speak Screen 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".
Tap "Spoken Content".
Tap the circle to toggle on "Speak Screen".
Once Speak Screen is turned on, the "Speech Controller" (See Speech Controller for more information) and "Highlight Content" options will be shown in the menu. To have words highlighted as they are read aloud, tap "Highlight Content".
Then tap the circle to toggle on "Highlight Content".
Use the menu items to customize the Highlight Content. Choose to have individual "Words", full "Sentences", or both "Words and Sentences" highlighted. Next, choose if the content will have an "Underline" or have a "Background Color". Lastly, choose the "Word Color" and "Sentence Color".
Tap "Spoken Content" to go back to the Spoken Content settings menu.
To use Speak Screen on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Go to a webpage, image or photo with text.
With two fingers, swipe down from the top of the screen. The Speech Controller will be shown and the iPad will start reading all of the words on the screen, starting at the top of the screen.
Tap the "Pause" icon to pause the reading.
After a short period of time, the Speech Controller will be hidden at the side of the screen behind the Speech Controller icon. To continue to read, skip ahead, go backwards, or change the speed of the reading, tap the Speech Controller icon.
Use the icons on the Speech Controller to play, skip ahead, go backwards, or change the speed of the reading. (To find out more about the Speech Controller buttons, see Speech Controller).
Tap the "x" to stop Speak Screen and remove the Speech Controller from the screen.
To turn off Speak Screen on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Tap "Spoken Content".
Tap the circle to toggle off "Speak Screen".
Step-by-step instructions according to the iPad's Operating System:
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With Speak Screen, students in the TDSB can:
listen to stories. Use Speak Screen to hear a story read aloud while following along with the words.
complete learning tasks. Listen to digital work tasks or lessons to understand the instructions, learning materials and questions.
research learning topics. While researching information for a Science, History or Health project, students can listen and learn the content at the same time.
learn new vocabulary. Highlight tricky words, then use Speak Screen to hear how they are pronounced and look up the definition to learn what they mean.
increase independent reading skills. Read digital books and online learning materials using Speak Screen to read the content out loud.
Last Updated June 16, 2025
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