Key points:
- There are many tools–some free–to help bridge literacy gaps
- Fostering metacognition and AI integration for ELLs
- Student-created book reviews inspire a global reading culture
- For more news on AI and reading, visit eSN’s Digital Learning hub
The hallway was unusually quiet, the kind of stillness that settles once the school day ends. As I waited with a fellow high school educator, someone I knew through our shared involvement in education, I asked a question I’d been curious about:
“Do you use AI with your students?”
He gave a slight nod. “I use it sometimes for planning lessons, but not with my students. I don’t feel comfortable using it yet.”
I appreciated his honesty. Like me, he teaches in a different school than the one we support locally. And like many educators I’ve spoken to recently, he represents the growing number who are curious about AI, but still hesitant to implement it directly with students.
What struck me most was the context: We’re both in schools where literacy challenges are rising and resources are limited. Conversations among educators often center around purchasing more books–an important investment, of course. But the urgency of student needs has left me wondering: Are books alone enough? Or could AI become the bridge some students need to access reading in ways they haven’t before?
“I get it,” I said. “But I think AI could help, especially with struggling readers. Tools like Immersive Reader or AI-generated speech features might be exactly what they need to stay engaged.”
That conversation stayed with me. It captured a larger truth I see in education today: Many teachers are aware of both the problem and the potential solution, yet feel uncertain about taking the next step. AI, when used thoughtfully, can support reading growth–especially for students who haven’t responded to traditional methods alone.
From conversation to action: How AI can support reading growth
When students struggle with reading, especially those who are behind grade level or learning English, traditional strategies can sometimes fall short. AI doesn’t replace those approaches, but it can amplify them, offering personalized, responsive tools that help learners engage with text in new ways.
Here are three practical ways educators can apply AI to support reading development:
1. Use Immersive Reader to build comprehension and confidence
Microsoft’s Immersive Reader (available in tools like Word, OneNote, and Flip) is a free AI-powered tool that helps students decode and process text. It can:
- Read text aloud while highlighting each word
- Break words into syllables
- Translate into multiple languages
- Offer picture dictionaries for vocabulary support
Why it matters: For struggling readers or English learners, this turns independent reading into an achievable goal, not a frustrating task.
2. Use speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools to remove barriers
For students who struggle to decode text or write fluently, such as special education students or low-performing readers, AI-powered speech tools can be transformative.
Speech-to-text (e.g., Google Docs Voice Typing, Microsoft Dictate) allows students to speak their responses or ideas aloud, and the tool transcribes their words into written form.
Text-to-speech (e.g., NaturalReader, Read&Write, or built-in tools in Microsoft and Chrome) lets students listen to passages read aloud, helping them follow along and improve fluency.
Why it matters: These tools remove the cognitive overload of decoding or writing mechanics, allowing students to focus on comprehension, ideas, and engagement. For some, it’s the first time they feel capable of participating meaningfully in reading and writing tasks.
3. Support independent reading with AI recommendations
Platforms like ReadTheory or Sora (by OverDrive) use AI to suggest texts aligned with a student’s reading level and interest. When students are matched with books that are just right, engagement and motivation go up.
Why it matters: AI can help personalize the reading experience and encourage more consistent practice–both crucial for growth.
A personal insight: Students still struggle to embrace AI
Recently, I asked my students to write a mystery story and encouraged them to use AI, but with a specific focus: They could ask it for help generating spooky or suspenseful sentences to enrich their writing. I framed AI as a creative partner, not a shortcut.
When the time came for students to share their stories, I was surprised by what I heard. The majority said they hadn’t used AI at all. One student proudly declared, “I wanted it to be all my own work.” Others nodded in agreement.
That moment reminded me that while we may be ready to introduce these tools, students themselves are still navigating a psychological barrier, a fear of “cheating,” or perhaps a deeper need to prove their own capability. It’s a valuable insight: Introducing AI isn’t just about access; it’s about mindset.
It’s time to take the next step
AI isn’t a magic fix, and it certainly can’t replace skilled teachers or rich classroom discussions. But for students struggling with reading, especially those who feel left behind, AI can offer a powerful layer of support. From decoding tools to personalized content and speech support, these technologies can reduce frustration and help students access the curriculum more fully.
We don’t need to wait for perfect conditions or full-school rollouts. With the tools already available (many of them free), we can start using AI to bridge gaps in literacy, one student at a time.