Literacy Lumiere

YouTube

YouTube is a Google tool because Google acquired it in 2006 and integrated it into its platform.

How to Use YouTube Features to Learn Reading & Writing

Set Learning Goals
Choose a skill to focus on, such as reading fluency, vocabulary, or writing.
Plan how YouTube will help, for example, tutorials, explanations, or practice activities.

Find the Right Videos
Search topics like reading comprehension, phonics, or writing. Choose trusted channels like Khan Academy or BBC Learning English. Create a playlist for easy access.

Use Captions
Turn on captions with the CC button. Follow along to practice pronunciation and note new vocabulary or grammar.

Engage with Videos
Focus on key ideas, pause to reflect, and explore related videos.

Adjust the Speed
Change the video speed to match your learning pace for easier understanding.

AV (Audio-Visual) Practice
Watch videos with captions to improve both listening and reading. Practice speaking along for better fluency.

How to Transcribe or Convert YouTube Videos to Text

YouTube Transcript Feature

Open the video you want to transcribe.
Click the three dots under the video title on the desktop and select Show Transcript.

On mobile, tap the down arrow and select Show Transcript.  Copy or follow along with the transcript.

Use Third-Party Tools like:  YouTube Transcript Extractor or DownSub.

  1. Paste the video URL into the tool.
  2. Click to generate the transcript.
  3. Copy or download the transcript.

Learn More
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How to Use Google Docs for Reading and Writing

How to use the Google Docs tool for both reading and writing

Writing with Google Docs 

  • Create a new document by opening Google Docs and selecting Blank.
  • Write essays, stories, or journals. For example, you can write a story titled - A Day in the Forest using vivid descriptions.
  • Practice writing skills by focusing on grammar and vocabulary.
  • Use Google Docs to jot down ideas, outline essays, or compose short stories.

Convert Speech to Text 

Use voice typing 

  • Go to Tools
  • Select Voice typing
  • Click the microphone to dictate your text.

Reading with Google Docs: Step-by-Step Guide

Open Documents to Read or create a document.

  • Go to Google Docs and open the document you want to read.

Highlight Text, Add Comments and Suggest Edits

  • To highlight text - click and drag your mouse over the desired section.
  • To add a comment - highlight the text, then click the Comment button or press Ctrl + Alt + M (Windows) or Cmd + Option + M (Mac).
  • To suggest edits -  change the document to Suggesting mode by clicking the pencil icon in the top-right corner and selecting Suggesting.

Enable Screen Reader Support

  • To have the document read aloud, go to Tools, then Accessibility settings, and turn on Screen Reader Support.
  • This will allow screen readers like ChromeVox to read the document aloud.

Use the Explore Tool

  • Go to Tools, then click on Explore. 
  • Use this tool to search for related articles, research, or information that is relevant to your document.

Useful Features for Reading and Writing

Spelling and Grammar Checks

  • Google Docs automatically check for spelling and grammar errors while typing.
  • To find more options, go to Tools, then Spelling and Grammar, and select Spelling and Grammar Check.

Use the Thesaurus

  • Right-click on any word in the document.
  • Select Define to see the word's meaning or choose Synonyms to find alternative words for variety.

Translate Documents

  • If you need to translate the document into another language, go to Tools, then select Translate document.
  • Choose the desired language, and Google Docs will create a translated version of the document.

Share Your Document

  • Click on the Share button in the top-right corner to share your document with others.
  • You can invite people to view, comment, or edit, allowing for feedback and suggestions.


Using these tools and features in Google Docs will help you read, write, and collaborate more effectively while improving your skills.

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Use Google Translate to Learn Reading and Writing

Google Translate can be a helpful tool for improving both reading and writing skills in a new language. Here’s how to use it step by step:

1. Translate Text for Reading Practice

  • Open Google Translate on the website or app.
  • Type or paste a piece of text you want to read into the left box (your language).
  • Choose the language you want to translate to in the right box (target language).
  • Example: Translate a simple sentence like "I like to read books" to French. The result will be: J'aime lire des livres.
  • Read the translated text to practice recognizing and understanding new words.


2. Improve Reading Comprehension

  • After translating, read the translated sentence or passage carefully.
  • Check for context: Look at how words are used in the translated text, and use the "Examples in Sentences" feature to see how similar words are used in other contexts.


3. Build Vocabulary for Writing

  • Use Google Translate to translate individual words or short phrases.
  • Explore synonyms: Right-click on a word to get synonyms or related terms.
  • Practice writing by trying to use the new words you learned from the translations in sentences of your own.


4. Practice Writing with Translations:

Write a short paragraph or a few sentences in your language.

  • Translate the text into the target language to see how it looks in another language.
  • Translate it back into your own language to check for accuracy and improve your writing style.
  • Use this process to refine sentence structure, word choice, and grammar.


5. Use Pronunciation for Reading Aloud:

  • After translating, click the speaker icon to listen to how the translated text is pronounced.
  • Repeat aloud to practice speaking and understanding how words sound in the target language.


By following these steps, you can use Google Translate to improve your reading and writing skills in any language.

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