Why Auris Tech Commissioned its White Paper on ASR
Why Auris Tech commissioned its white paper on ‘Reading Aloud using ASR to improve children’s reading’
At Auris Tech, we have always been driven by the belief that every child deserves the chance to become a confident and skilled reader. However, the reality in the UK is deeply concerning. According to the latest research, over 1 in 4 children leave primary school without reaching the expected reading standard, and for the past 25 years, reading scores have stagnated in international studies of reading. Add to this the fact that 3 in 5 children do not enjoy reading, and over half lack confidence in their reading abilities, the gravity of the situation is undeniable.
In response to these troubling trends, we set out to explore how technology could be part of the solution. This led us to commission the whitepaper: 'Reading Aloud Using Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) to Improve Children’s Reading.' This paper consolidates the latest research on literacy in the UK and presents evidence from our National Read Aloud Challenge, in which over 15,000 children participated.
The Crisis in Children's Reading
Children with poor literacy skills are at risk of missing out on vital opportunities—both academically and socially. Literacy is not just about reading books; it is the foundation upon which other academic subjects are built and is crucial to everyday life skills. When children struggle with reading, they often fall behind in other subjects, lose confidence in themselves, and may never develop a love for learning. In fact, the whitepaper highlights that since 2005, daily reading has dropped by 26%, which is a stark reminder of the growing disengagement from this critical skill.
Why Technology, and Why ASR?
We believe that technology—when applied thoughtfully—has the power to transform how children engage with reading. Our patented Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology was designed to take the stress out of reading aloud by offering immediate feedback in a gamified environment. This allows children to enjoy the process of reading while building both their skills and their confidence.
The National Read Aloud Challenge proved the effectiveness of this approach. Over two years, more than 250,000 reading sessions were completed by children using our ASR-powered app, Fonetti. The data from these sessions shows a strong link between interactive, gamified reading and improvements in both reading engagement and literacy skills. The whitepaper includes detailed evidence of how children, when given the right tools, can overcome their struggles with reading and grow to enjoy it.
Who Should Read This Whitepaper?
This whitepaper is a must-read for:
Educators and school leaders seeking innovative ways to engage students in reading
Government policymakers and education authorities looking to address literacy gaps
Literacy advocates working to improve reading outcomes for all children
EdTech innovators interested in the potential of new technologies like ASR
Parents who are passionate about fostering a love of reading in their children
Shaping the Future of Education with EdTech
The findings in our whitepaper demonstrate the exciting potential for assistive technologies like ASR to reverse the alarming trends in literacy. By gamifying reading aloud, tracking progress, and providing personalised feedback, children can experience reading in a way that is enjoyable, interactive, and confidence-boosting. This is the future of education, and Auris Tech is at the forefront of this transformation.
We invite educators, parents, policymakers, and all those invested in the future of children's literacy to read the whitepaper and join the conversation on how we can continue to innovate in education. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader and to thrive academically and personally.
Thank you for your continued commitment to improving children's literacy.
Access the full whitepaper here: https://www.auris.tech/white-paper
