Automatic Speech Recognition

49% of England lacks essential literacy skills for daily life.

The OECD Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) is an international assessment that evaluates adults’ proficiency in key information-processing skills such as literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving. This survey provides a comprehensive picture of how well adults can manage everyday tasks that require these core skills. The latest edition of the survey was released recently, and the findings for adults in England are deeply concerning.

The data reveals that a significant portion of the adult population in England struggles with basic literacy, limiting their ability to thrive in daily life and the workplace. Despite ongoing efforts to improve literacy, the report suggests that outcomes have stagnated and, in some cases, worsened, particularly for those with the lowest skill levels.

What does the data show?
Recent data on literacy levels in England paints a worrying picture. According to the latest assessments:

  • 6% of adults scored below Level 1
  • 11.5% scored at Level 1
  • 31.6% scored at Level 2
  • 36.6% scored at Level 3
  • 13.2% scored at Level 4
  • 1.1% scored at Level 5

These levels correspond to real-world literacy capabilities:

  • Below Level 1: Individuals may struggle to read simple texts, like basic instructions or forms.
  • Level 1: Basic understanding of simple texts, but difficulties arise with more complex documents.
  • Level 2: Functional literacy for straightforward tasks, but limited ability to process more detailed or technical information.
  • Level 3: Considered the minimum level required to cope with the demands of everyday life and work.
  • Levels 4 & 5: Higher-order literacy skills, including advanced analysis and interpretation of complex texts.

Alarmingly, 49% of English adults score below Level 3 – the threshold required to navigate daily life and work successfully. This figure is equivalent to over 21 million people and mirrors findings from the previous edition of the report, suggesting stagnation in literacy outcomes over time.

Even more concerning is that 17.5% of adults – around 6.6 million people – are at or below Level 1, meaning they have very poor literacy skills. This represents a substantial increase compared to previous assessments, raising urgent questions about how to address the country’s literacy challenges.

What are the consequences of poor literacy skills?

Reading is a foundational skill that underpins nearly every aspect of modern life – whether it’s understanding public notices, following medical instructions, or engaging with work-related tasks. Poor literacy skills can create significant barriers to employment, education, and even health.

1. Employment and Economic Impact
Adults with poor literacy skills are significantly more likely to be unemployed or to struggle with reading-based tasks in the workplace. A 2017 survey revealed that one-third of businesses were dissatisfied with the basic literacy skills of their young applicants. Furthermore, individuals with poor literacy skills earn, on average, £1,500 less per year than their peers with a basic literacy level, limiting their career progression and overall economic stability.

2. Accessing Vital Services
The consequences extend beyond the workplace. During a recent BBC Radio 4 interview, Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health for Newcastle and Gateshead, highlighted a troubling trend: Adults with low literacy levels struggle to read medical letters and access essential healthcare services. This literacy gap directly affects health outcomes, as individuals may miss important medical information or fail to seek help when needed.

How can reading aloud using ASR help improve reading skills?
One innovative solution to addressing the literacy crisis lies in the use of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology. Auris Tech’s research paper, “Reading Aloud Using Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) to Improve Children’s Reading,” outlines how this technology can support literacy development for both children and adults.

1. Real-Time Feedback
ASR technology enables users to read aloud and receive instant feedback on pronunciation, fluency, and accuracy. This allows learners to identify and correct mistakes in real-time, reinforcing correct reading habits and improving comprehension over time.

2. Personalised Learning Journeys
By tracking a reader’s progress, ASR systems can offer customised reading experiences tailored to individual needs. This is particularly beneficial for adults returning to education, providing non-judgemental, at-home practice opportunities.

3. Bridging the Digital Divide
With increasing digital access, ASR platforms like Fonetti offer scalable solutions that can be deployed across educational settings and community programs. By making literacy support more accessible, ASR technology has the potential to bridge gaps for those at risk of falling behind.

The data is clear: improving literacy outcomes is not just a matter of educational policy – it is a societal imperative. With the right tools, such as ASR-driven platforms, we can empower millions of adults and children to develop the reading skills they need to thrive in everyday life.

Posted in Literacy, Automatic Speech Recognition, Insights

The State of Reading in 2024: What Does the Data Say?

As we bid farewell to 2024 and embrace a new year, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the state of reading in the UK. Despite growing recognition of literacy’s critical importance, 2024 brought a mix of challenges and opportunities that highlighted the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve reading skills and habits.

The Literacy Skills of UK Adults
The 2024 OECD Survey of Adult Skills painted a concerning picture of adult literacy in England. Nearly half (49%) of working-age adults (16-65) scored at a level below the minimum literacy skills required for coping with everyday life, with 17.5% of adults being classed as having very poor literacy skills. Alarmingly, this marks a rise in the proportion of adults with the lowest literacy levels since the previous survey, raising questions about the pipeline of literacy education after childhood.

The End of KS2: A Critical Benchmark
Year 6 marks a pivotal milestone for children as they transition from primary to secondary school. Yet, data from the 2023/24 academic year reveals that 26% of Year 6 pupils – equivalent to 170,640 children – failed to meet the expected reading standard. Despite a marginal improvement from the previous year, these figures suggest that a significant proportion of children are entering secondary school without the reading skills needed to access the curriculum effectively, putting their future learning at risk.

Declining Reading Enjoyment and Frequency
Reading for pleasure is a cornerstone of literacy development, yet 2024 saw the lowest levels of reading enjoyment and frequency among children since records began in 2005. Only 34.6% of children reported enjoying reading, a dramatic 8.8 percentage point drop from 2023. Equally concerning, just 20.5% of children read daily, marking a nearly 50% decline in daily reading habits over the past two decades.

This decline matters because children who enjoy reading and read frequently are more likely to achieve higher literacy outcomes. The National Literacy Trust found that children who enjoy reading had significantly higher reading scores than those who didn’t, highlighting the intrinsic link between pleasure, practice, and proficiency.

The Role of Technology in Transforming Reading
As these challenges persist, technology offers a beacon of hope. Tools like Fonetti: The Read Aloud App are uniquely positioned to address declining literacy rates by combining cutting-edge innovation with a focus on enjoyment and accessibility.

Fonetti’s interactive reading platform not only engages children with fun, immersive experiences but also uses Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) to provide real-time feedback on their reading. This gamified approach encourages children to read more often, boosting both their confidence and competence. Importantly, Fonetti aligns with the Reading Framework’s emphasis on ‘reading miles’ – the practice of reading widely and regularly to develop proficiency.

A Call to Action
Improving the state of children’s reading in the UK requires collective action from educators, policymakers, parents, and tech innovators. Platforms like Fonetti demonstrate that it is possible to make reading enjoyable and accessible while empowering children to develop lifelong literacy skills.

As we step into 2025, the focus must remain on equipping every child with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive – because the ability to read is not just a fundamental skill; it’s the foundation of future success.

Together, we can rewrite the story of literacy in the UK.

Posted in Automatic Speech Recognition, Insights, Reading, Research

Celebrate World Book Day in the Digital World of Reading with Fonetti

World Book Day 2024: A Digital Revolution in Reading

World Book Day has always been a celebration of stories, a tribute to the authors who transport us to distant lands and imaginary realms, and an ode to the power of reading. But this 2024, the day of books takes a revolutionarily digital turn. For teachers and parents dedicated to fostering a love for reading, this isn’t just an update; it’s an opportunity.

Join the digital parade of pages turning and spark an ocean of new narratives with Fonetti – a new-age beacon in the digital reading cosmos. Step out of the conventional reading nooks and into this digital universe this World Book Day, enriching the experience for young readers, and marking the start of a new chapter in EdTech innovation.

The Interactive Ecosystem of Reading
Fonetti is not just another educational app; it’s an entire ecosystem, with the sole purpose of making reading more inclusive, more immersive, and ultimately, more enjoyable. Gone are the days when reading was a solitary pursuit; with Fonetti, it became a collective adventure, a vibrant community where each word read is an accomplishment celebrated.

Imagine a reading assessment tool that listens to your child’s reading and provides instant, encouraging feedback. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the heart of Fonetti. It empowers children with a sense of autonomy and progression while filling the space around them with an orchestra of applause for their linguistic exploits.

The Beacon for Struggling Readers
Not every child’s voyage through the world of words is a smooth sail. For the reluctant reader or the one grappling with dyslexia, traditional reading passages can often feel like unscalable cliffs, daunting and insurmountable. Fonetti changes the narrative, quite literally, by providing a supportive platform for reading, one which adapts to the reader’s pace and capabilities.

Its unique speech recognition technology helps struggling readers by offering immediate support – think of it as Alexa but for reading, nurturing their skills and, most importantly, their confidence. Fonetti turns reading into a less intimidating, more personalised experience, breaking down the barriers that might otherwise keep a child from exploring the world of literature.

Engaging and Empowering the Modern Teacher
What good are tools for the learner if they do not serve the mentor? Fonetti doesn’t just cater to the students; it equips teachers with a robust dashboard that provides insights into each child’s reading progress. It’s like having x-ray vision into the reading habits of your class, allowing for tailored guidance and a personalised approach to teaching reading.

This World Book Day, teachers can revolutionise the way they approach reading assessments, transform intervention strategies, and even gamify the reading experience – all thanks to Fonetti. It’s the modern teacher’s companion, giving the gift of time, efficiency, and a new perspective on the impact of their work.

Community of Literacy Champions
Fonetti is more than an app; it’s a catalyst for a community of educators, parents, and technology enthusiasts who are advocates for literacy in the 21st century. It encourages collaboration and interaction, fostering partnerships that share the same vision and passion for reading.

Join the conversation, become a part of the vibrant community, and kick off World Book Day with a pledge to introduce Fonetti into the lives of the young learners in your orbit. With Fonetti, you’re not just adopting a tool; you’re becoming a champion of progress, promoting literacy one digital page at a time.

Celebrate with Fonetti
This World Book Day, the digital world of reading with Fonetti stands ready to be embraced by the hands of every teacher and parent committed to nurturing the next generation of readers. It presents a prime opportunity to bridge the traditional and the digital – to tap into the vast benefits of technology without losing the warmth and magic of a printed book.

For those who wish to make a lasting difference in the way children engage with reading, step boldly into the digital sphere with Fonetti. It’s a choice that echoes the spirit of World Book Day, a commitment to the timeless power of stories, and a belief in the narrative-altering might of technology.

Could there be a more fitting way to embody the World Book Day 2024 theme of reinvention and creativity through reading than to adopt Fonetti into your educational toolkit? I think not. It’s time to open the digital doors of possibility and celebrate the day of books in style, substance, and innovation.

With Fonetti, the future of reading is now.

Posted in News, Appearances, Automatic Speech Recognition, Reading

Give Students the Gift of Literacy with the Fonetti App & School Portal

The new year brings new opportunities for growth and improvement, especially in terms of education. At Fonetti, we are excited to kick off 2024 by giving back to the teaching community. We recognise the challenges that come with reading interventions and providing 1:1 reading time for students. To help overcome these obstacles, we are giving away 3 standard licences (access for 60 pupils) to the Fonetti app and School Portal for an entire year, absolutely free.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how Fonetti is revolutionising the way children read, learn, and grow. We will also discuss why the Fonetti School Portal is an essential tool for educators looking to improve fluency, literacy rates and support individual reading needs of their pupils.

Fonetti’s Unique AI:
Fonetti uses proprietary patented automatic speech recognition and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to analyse student reading data, providing teachers with dynamic dashboards that are personalised to each student’s reading level, interests, and skill set. This eliminates the need for targeted interventions solely based on educator observations, as the Fonetti app provides accurate, data-driven student assessments.

Independence with Fonetti:
One of the biggest challenges in classrooms is providing enough individual reading time for students. With Fonetti, students open the app, choose a book and simply read aloud independently. A significant benefit of this is that it drastically reduces the student-teacher ratio, which not only makes monitoring easier but also ensures that the pupils feel more confident and comfortable while reading.

Identify Vital Next Steps:
Another great feature of the Fonetti Schools Portal is that it simplifies the process of identifying the exact next steps for students. The personalised data which includes accuracy and words read correctly per minute collected by the AI provides an extensive overview of each student’s strengths and weaknesses in reading, which makes it effortless to devise strategies to support individual reading skills.

Opportunity for Funding:
We understand that not every school has the funds to provide for literacy resources. This is why we are giving three schools the opportunity to access Fonetti Schools Portal free of charge to 60 pupils for the entire year. It is an excellent way to introduce students to the world of reading and give them the tools and resources they need to succeed. Through Fonetti, students will be able to realise the joy of reading while improving their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

How to Enter
Simply fill out the entry form with a compelling reason explaining why your school should receive this invaluable free access. Winners will be selected by our esteemed education panel..

Click Here to Complete the Entry Form.

Reading is a fundamental skill that is necessary for students to succeed, both academically and in life. Fonetti’s unique approach to reading intervention and AI-assisted assessments has proved to be very helpful for students and educators alike. If you are a teacher or educator who is looking to improve your students’ reading skills, Fonetti is the answer. 

Enter today for a chance to win free access for 60 pupils for an entire year and let us help you kickstart the year with the gift of literacy!

The winners will be announced on the 5th February…

Posted in News, Automatic Speech Recognition, EdTech

How Speech Recognition Supports EAL Learners On European Day Of Languages

The 26th of September 2022 marks the European Day of Languages. This day is all about celebrating linguistic diversity and promoting multilingualism. The day also aims to encourage people to learn new languages and to discover the richness that linguistic diversity brings to our society.

One way that Fonetti supports language development and practice for children where English is not their first language, is by providing them with a way to independently practice at their own pace, while tracking and rewarding progress. The automatic speech recognition (ASR) behind Fonetti assists the development of oral language skills by providing immediate visual feedback in real-time on correct pronunciation. This is especially beneficial for those learning English as an additional language.

Using ASR in this way also provides a means for children to practice their speaking skills in a safe and non-threatening environment. This is particularly important for those who may be shy or reluctant to speak in front of others. By using ASR in this way, children can practice their reading and language skills without having to worry about making mistakes or being judged. This helps build confidence and can lead to them being more willing to speak in front of others.

Conclusion:
ASR provides a number of benefits that can support language development and practice for children where English is not their first language. These benefits include providing a way for children to practice reading at their own pace, assisting in the development of oral language skills, and offering a safe and non-threatening environment for children to practice their speaking skills. All of these factors contribute to making ASR an excellent tool for supporting language learning.

Posted in EAL, Automatic Speech Recognition

Helping Children Learn English As An Additional Language Through Reading

Cast your mind back to when you first learnt to read

Can you remember the words you just couldn’t grasp?

The ones that you found tricky to say? Are they the ones that still catch you out or can you spell them with ease because of years of practise?

English is a difficult language to learn. How do we tell the difference between read and read? Why do we pronounce choose like lose and not like loose? It can be complicated enough for native speakers to grasp. So, when English is your second language or maybe not the first language of your household it can make reading even harder.

For families who speak English as Another Language (EAL), even the most advanced apps and technical resources can still add an additional layer of complication to literacy. If English isn’t your first language, can you still support your children with their reading?

Of course, you can.

But can you help them tell the difference between those tricky words and give them examples to help them remember as easily as you can in your mother tongue? Can you pronounce the words they’re stuck on or are some of them new to you too?

If they are, that’s normal.

The human brain only uses 800* different words on a daily basis, so we only retain the words we use the most frequently. So regardless of whether your children speak English as a first language or additional language, there will always be vocabulary that they learn and never use.

But what if there was a way you could help your children build their vocabulary, practise their pronunciation and grow in confidence reading aloud, without needing any help from you?

Meet Fonetti
It’s an iPad and Android tablet app that’s started a reading revolution and is taking the world by storm. It’s the reading assistant available to every home and is the technology behind interactive reading.

Approved by the Department for Education’s Hungry Little Minds campaign as a platform for children to practise their reading, Fonetti is the world’s first listening bookshop. You could say it’s a bit like karaoke, except it’s more about speech than song.

Children choose a story and start reading aloud. When they get the words right, they turn green. If they get stuck, they double tap for help and can hear how the word should sound.

So, they can practise again and again, with confidence, as there’s no one else listening to them but themselves. When they finish a book, they win rewards, stars and fanfares…as well as a growing love of reading.

We know right now your children are your focus more than ever.

Their world has changed overnight and they’re looking to you for answers.

And you don’t have them all.

You’re probably playing several roles in a 24-hour period, parent, teacher, playmate, chef, cleaner and co-pilot of a purple space rocket ready to launch on mission to discover a hidden planet.

Finding the time to be a reading-assistant too can be a challenge, especially on a 1-2-1 basis with multiple readers.

Give yourself the break you deserve and let Fonetti take care of fiction. Our app can have up to four users – ideal for larger families or grandchildren using Fonetti when they visit their grandparents. Not only will it help build your child’s confidence reading aloud, it will improve their independence as well as their literacy.

Smart technology
Designed by linguistic professors at the University of Edinburgh, Fonetti can recognise readers speaking English as a second language, those with dyslexia and SEN. So, it can support every reader individually and allow them to read at their own pace. And as a parent it keeps in touch too.

You’ll receive regular weekly updates that tell you:

  • how long your child has read for
  • which stories they’ve read
  • the number of times a book has been chosen
  • and what words they’ve struggled with.

It will also keep you up to date with their progress and tell you if they’ve reached a new reading level so you can give them praise for their hard work.

What age is Fonetti suitable for?
Our technology is so easy-to-use, children aged 4 upwards can use it independently. From ABC books to early readers and beyond, there’s stories in our library for every age and ability.

Mum of two, Neha Sharma explains:

‘My daughter started using Fonetti as soon as she started reception class. With two busy parents who work full-time, her grandparents regularly help with Maths homework…but English isn’t as easy. It’s not their first language. But with Fonetti, she doesn’t miss out. The app tells her when she’s doing well and helps her to choose the books that are right for her based on her reading level. It provides self-guided reading practise that helps her with her pronunciation, as she’s just reading to herself. Although her Grandma can’t help her read, my daughter reads the Fonetti stories in English then translates them into Hindi for her Grandma to enjoy too. So, she’s not just practicing reading, it’s helping her learn Hindi and improves her comprehension. It’s also helping us as parents learn phonics – as she blends and segments her words so that she pronounces them correctly – differently to how we were taught. Fonetti has definitely nurtured her love of reading – it’s something she can do independently and at home. It’s become a listening ear that’s part of her learning routine’

Every child should find reading fun, regardless of age or ability. And we believe with Fonetti, EAL readers get twice the enjoyment.

Firstly, for the language they think in and secondly for the one they read aloud. Fonetti is an adventure that never ends – give your children the gift of reading that will inspire their imaginations for a lifetime.

*Source: https://www.quora.com/How-many-different-words-does-the-average-person-speak-in-a-day

Posted in EAL, Automatic Speech Recognition, Reading

Fonetti debuts in London

Clare Balding introduces Fonetti at a reception held at the IOD in Pall Mall.

What a week we’ve had here at Fonetti HQ!

Not only does today mark a whole 7 days of our app being approved by the Department for Education – but Wednesday night saw our Fonetti Showcase at the Institute of Directors on Pall Mall, marking our full public launch.

And what an evening it was! Our Brand Ambassador, Clare Balding OBE, kicked off the evening by welcoming all of our fabulous guests and introducing our co-founder and CEO, Kim Antoniou. Kim gave us a brilliant speech (with a little bit of help from our CCO, Colin Tankard keeping the slide-show going smoothly). Great job there, Colin.

Kim spoke about the back story and how a chance conversation between her and co-founder Bil Bungay 7 years ago  which started with “my 2 year old grandson knows how to use a smartphone even though he still cannot string a full sentence together” ended up with “Lets build a listening Bookshop for children to practice their reading on”  (Little did they know at the time that they would actually have to develop the technology to support the idea!)

They went on to talk about the past, present, and future of EdTech and how what we have developed had the potential to transform they way that the tech enthusiastic kids amongst us practice reading.

Then we heard from the world class Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) expert Dr. Peter Bell of Edinburgh Universities renowned School of Informatics who is the brains behind our unique voice recognition engine, and it’s fair to say a few minds were blown… Our technical lead Lee Sherwood and Colin took some questions about the possibilities of Fonetti and the ASR engine.

Finally, we heard again from Clare, Kim, and Colin. “I’m glad to be a part of something that is going to change the world,” said Clare.

After all the talking, we were all absolutely spoilt with drinks and canapes!

We’d also love to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has downloaded Fonetti over the last week. We hope you’re enjoying our Listening Books!

And don’t forget, our ears are wide open for feedback. Just send an email to us on info@fonetti.com

Get in touch!
Thanks for stopping by! If you would like to find out any more information about Fonetti, or even who we are as a team, please do get in touch.

We are always happy to speak with our users, and look forward to hearing from you sometime.

Posted in Team Fonetti, Automatic Speech Recognition, EdTech