ESL Blogs

Hello, friends!

Recently one of our EC  members,. Prostomolotova Galina, .posted a blog "Some practical steps to acquire good pronunciation".  In her  blog she  tells  how one  could  use the TTS (Text-To-Speech,)  option on 'AudioPal' to perfect his English speech. I'm glad to see that some of our EC members have heeded  her advice,  especially those in the EC Phonemes and Pronunciation  class,  and  reaping  their rewards.  Do  you  want  to be one of them? Well!  Let me explain briefly what this TTS tool does and how you could benefit from it! 

The TTS  tool could  instantly  process any text that  you type in  into speech. This. gives you the invaluable opportunity to practise speaking with correct pronunciation, sentence stress  and  intonation.  All  the  people who have lent  their voices to this tool .are  native speakers of English. Thus, the tool plays the role of a fine teacher!  They  are  on  standby twenty-four seven  wherever .you  are!  The most .interesting thing about their 'service' is that you don't have to pay a penny. Isn't that GREAT?

(You could also click on the above image to reach AudioPal)

Ok! Are you ready to give it a try right away? What? .Did I hear you saying that not now but you'll definitely do it one of these days? There's a saying, "One of these days is none of these days!" Oh! You changed your mind. That's good! Let's do it!!

I have prepared Text 1 and Text 2 to make sure that you have an easy time of it in trying the tool. Please do as you are requested! Thank you!

A sad story about Nobody.

This is a story about four people named Everybody,  Somebody,  Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and  Everybody was sure that  Somebody would do it.  Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.  Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job.  Everybody thought  Anybody could do it,  but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn't do it.  It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody, when Nobody did, what Anybody could have done.

Your job: Copy and paste the above story onto the TTS text box. Choose your choice of gender and nationality. Click the "Say it" button. Tell me! How do you like it?

Here's a sample of the above Text 1 converted to Speech

*Text 2:

Four basic kinds of people.

He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise  - follow him.

Here's another one.

Four, those that everything happens to. They claim they have such terrible luck.

Voice: Paul (US)

Your job: Again,  copy and paste  Text 2  onto the TTS  text box.  This time choose a sex that is opposite to the earlier choice of yours. .Also, pick a different nationality! Click the "Say it" button!  Now, what do you think about this tool? .You can leave your opinion in the comment box below. I would appreciate it!

*Both the texts were picked from the Net. They aren't my creation!

Fun activity:  Here's  something that you'll  find very interesting!  The AudioPal will  be  displayed on a  separate window  when  you  click  the  link  I've  given above. This will enable you to  toggle between the windows  of this blog  and  Audiopal.  Now,  copy a comment from below posted by anyone.  Paste it onto AudioPal  TTS .tool and listen to the speech. I have already tried with all the comments posted here. It's really awesome! It gave me the feel as if I'm listening to them in person.  Why don't you try it and share your feelings with us? :-)  

YOUR TASK

Now,  if you are one of them who heed Prostomolotova Galina’s  advice and would like to  improve  all  the  aspects  of  your  pronunciation,   just  make  yourself  known  by doing this task.  I'm sure  your action  will encourage a few of your friends .follow suit. Don't you think that it is a noble thing to do to a fellow learner of English?

         stress and intonation. (You can write your own text if you want to.)

         embed your AudioPal in the comment box below. Good luck and have fun!

           blog "Make your voice heard!"   

TALKING AVATARS

This is another TTS tool called 'SitePal'. It's a widget that can be embedded on any web page. AudioPal and SitePal are from the same maker.  You can use the widget that you see below right away; you don't have to leave this blog. I'm sure it will enthral you! 

Look at SitePal;  it’s  self-explanatory!  You  use this  widget exactly  the same way you would do with AudioPal. However, there are pros and cons.

                    AudioPal which allows you up to 600 characters!

                    which comes with a sleek black audio player! 

                   avatars by clicking the left or right arrows.

              b) It has more speakers and countries for you to choose from.

 

"EC AUDIOPAL USERS"

Gabriel Sowrian, Prostomolotova Galina, Rajesh, Grace, Sakshi, Scarlett, Tawfeeq, Ha Nguyen, Hala J.M, Robbie, Asma, Marik, Bright Rubies, Jinkee, Stephen A...

* If you are already a user or has started using Audiopal, leave your recorded voice message done with Audiopal in the comment box below. Your name will be added to the above list! Thank you!! 

My last word on one's inability to Speak in English...

or just  be a 'mute' for the rest of your life!"

          Don't forget to click the 'Like' button if you find the posting useful!