Google adds AI conversation practice for English language learners

Google is testing its AI listening skills pinch a characteristic that lets group speak into their phones and believe English pinch a conversational AI bot. Google first rolled retired nan speaking believe acquisition successful October 2023. Originally, nan characteristic only provided feedback connected spoken sentences. Now, users tin believe having ongoing conversations successful nan connection they’re learning.

TechCrunch reports that nan characteristic is presently disposable for Search Labs users successful Argentina, Colombia, India, Mexico, Venezuela, and Indonesia. Search Labs is Google’s sandbox for imaginable caller Search features; however, nan characteristic whitethorn besides popular up based connected translating to or from English pinch Google connected an Android device. 

For now, nan feedback and speech believe features are only disposable successful English. Google said successful its 2023 blog that Search is simply a “valuable instrumentality for connection learners” because they tin get translations and definitions and hunt for vocabulary.

Google doesn’t person a program aliases a strategy that levels up students for illustration Duolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, aliases different connection learning apps. When it launched speaking practice, nan institution said it helps learners not conscionable believe but besides fig retired nan champion words aliases conjugations to usage wrong nan discourse of a conversation. While Google has had a translator characteristic for years, nan institution has besides been increasing nan number of languages its AI models understand.   

AI-assisted connection learning is not new. Duolingo, arguably nan astir celebrated connection learning app, added an AI chatbot successful 2016 and integrated GPT-4 successful 2023. Another online connection learning platform, Memrise, launched a GPT-3-based chatbot connected Discord that lets group study languages while chatting. Other connection learning platforms also connection speech practice. For example, Pimsleur asks users to roleplay a speech pinch nan app, prompting group to respond to questions successful their target language. 

As an avid Duolingo personification (947-day Spanish streak), it is important for maine to get feedback and believe speaking nan languages I’m learning successful existent conversations. Google hasn’t said what its plans for connection learning are aliases if nan speaking believe characteristic will beryllium expanded to much countries, but Duo, nan owl mascot of Duolingo, could beryllium shaking successful his boots.