Here are some built in tools that allow the Mac to read aloud and turn our speech into text.
Text to speech (reading) on a Mac
This cool feature is built into the Mac operating system. You may need to activate it. Here’s how:
Quick step-by-step
Open System Preferences > Dictation and Speech
Choose : Text to Speech
Check: Speak selected text when the key is pressed
Current Key: option + esc

How does it work?
Select (highlight) the text that you want read to you. Press the option and esc keys together. The text will be read out loud to you.

If you would like more details, including how to change the voice you can look at this video. The uploader also talks about how this helps with his dyslexia.
Dictation on a Mac
Quick step-by-step
Open Preferences > Dictation and Speech
Choose: Dictation – On Button
Press fn (function key) twice

How does it work?
Open your word processor (e.g. word), click the cursor for where you want to start. Press the fn key twice. Speak normally and the text should begin to appear. You will most likely need to do some editing on the text but it is a good way of getting your ideas written down.

Read & Write for Google Chrome and Drive
These settings will not work with Google Chrome or Drive. Herer are some videos to add an extension that will work with Google.
Here’s a video about how to add the Read & Write for Google – Chrome Extension
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaxxeWnlBdk
Here’s some more info about how to use the Read & Write toolbar