How to change the voice (and get an Aussie accent)

1. Choose a voice on our site

On any page that reads aloud (lessons, conversations, listening tests, slang words), look for the 🔊 Voice box above the audio. Pick a voice from the list and press Test. We remember your choice on this device.

We automatically choose the best voice we can find: an Australian voice first, then other natural-sounding English voices.

In the Listening Room and stories, press 🎙 Voices on the player. You can choose a different voice for each host (Mel and Josh) or for the story narrator. We pick a female voice for Mel and a male voice for Josh when your device has them. If your device has only one English voice, Josh is played a little deeper so you can still tell them apart. Adding a voice (see below) gives you more choice.

2. The easiest way to get a natural Aussie voice: Microsoft Edge

Open englishcoaching.au in Microsoft Edge (free on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android). On computers, Edge includes natural "online" voices. Choose Natasha or William (Australia) in the 🔊 Voice box.

3. Add an Australian voice to your device

Menu names can differ slightly between versions, but the steps are similar.

Windows 10 and 11 1. Open Settings → Time & language → Speech. 2. Under Manage voices, choose Add voices. 3. Add English (Australia), then restart your browser.

iPhone and iPad 1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content → Voices → English. 2. Choose an Australian voice (for example, Karen or Lee) and download the enhanced version if offered. 3. Reopen Safari.

Mac 1. Open System Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content. 2. Next to System voice, choose Manage voices, then tick an English (Australia) voice. 3. Reopen your browser.

Android 1. Open Settings, search for Text-to-speech. 2. Choose the Speech Services by Google engine, then Install voice data. 3. Download English (Australia), then reopen Chrome.

4. Make listening more comfortable

• Use headphones, especially for listening tests.
• Slow it down: our voices speak a little slower than normal. Replay any line with its 🔊 button.
• Practise both: once you're comfortable, try a different accent too. In real life (and in IELTS and PTE), you'll hear Australian, British, American and many other accents.