Practice English by listening and reading at the same time
Reading and listening together is one of the simplest ways to learn how English words look and sound. Read-Along lets you do it with any text you choose: a news article, a textbook chapter, a work document or a story.
Hear a sample
Under a minute, read to you.
Press play and follow the highlighted words — this is exactly what your documents become.
The Tortoise and the Hare, by Aesop.
A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal.
On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep.
At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.
Slow but steady wins the race.
From Aesop's Fables (public domain). Read by Heart, one of our AI voices.
Upload a file or paste a web link. We turn it into a page that reads itself aloud while each word lights up. Hear a word, see it spelled, hear the next one. If the speed is too fast, slow it down; if you miss a sentence, jump back 10 seconds.
Use the texts you actually need
Practice with the article you have to read for class, the contract you have to understand at work, or a story you love, rather than only made-up lessons.
Tips
Listen once while following the highlight. Listen again without looking. Then read the same passage yourself, out loud. Choose text a little above your level, and repeat the same passage a few days later.
How it works
Choose a PDF, Word, ePub, RTF, ODT, Markdown, text or HTML file, or paste a link (a Google Docs, Google Slides or Google Drive file link works if it is shared as "Anyone with the link"). Then sign in with your email or phone, no password. A short one is ready in a few minutes. We email you the link, or text it once if you signed in by phone and ticked the box.
Price
Everyone gets one free document a day, no card needed. Premium has no daily limit and puts your documents first.
Honest limits
Read-Along reads documents aloud; it doesn't translate or grade your pronunciation. The voice is English, so it is meant for English texts.
Press play on the sample on our home page to hear it, no sign-in needed.
Questions
Does it translate or check my pronunciation?
No. It reads your text aloud in English and highlights each word.
Can I change the speed?
Yes. There is a speed button, and a button to jump back 10 seconds.
Can I use my own texts?
Yes: upload a file or paste a web link.
Is it free?
One document a day is free with no card. Premium has no daily limit.