A new Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology is helping children improve reading skills through real-time feedback.
As the UK government unveiled its "Every Child Achieving and Thriving" white paper last week, education technology company Auris Tech Limited is demonstrating how its Fonetti read-aloud platform can help teachers and parents meet new literacy goals.
Fonetti uses patented ASR technology developed in collaboration with Professor Peter Bell of Edinburgh University, providing immediate feedback.
According to the National Literacy Trust, only one in three children and young people aged eight to 18 reported enjoying reading in 2025.
This is the lowest level since records began in 2005 and with the National Year of Reading 2026 now underway, new approaches are needed to support children’s reading development.
Kim Antoniou, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Auris Tech Limited, said: "With 25% of children leaving primary school with inadequate reading skills to meet the standards required for their secondary school education.
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She added: "The persistence of this literacy gap demands scalable, evidence-led solutions. Through the National Read Aloud Challenge, we have been able to gather large-scale, real-world data showing that when children receive structured, real-time feedback while reading aloud, measurable progress follows.
"We are leading the way in bringing smart technology to meet the government's objectives of the UK becoming a powerhouse of children's reading skills."
Fonetti supports all UK accents, including children with English as an additional language, ensuring the tool is inclusive and widely accessible.
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