Google has a lot of different apps and services, but one that is often overlooked is Google Translate. However, that’s about to change, as the company just unveiled a slew of new language learning tools coming to Google Translate, including conversational experiences to help you learn.
While Google Translate has always been an app you could use to learn a new language, it’s about to get a lot better. Google is rolling out new AI-powered features designed around language learning, and apps like Duolingo better watch out. Google says advancements to its Gemini AI model have improved translation quality, multimodal translation, text-to-speech, and now conversational teaching tools.
If you’re interested in learning a new language, Google has you covered. Right inside the Google Translate app, you’ll find a bunch of new live capabilities that not only make it easier to communicate with people speaking a different language but also allow you to interact with the app yourself and learn at home.
You can create customized language lessons based on your skills, which makes it great for beginners, advanced learners, and anyone who wants to brush up on their vocabulary. For now, Google Translate will help you learn Spanish or French and help Spanish, French, and Portuguese speakers practice English, with more potentially coming soon. However, remember that these are experimental features, so we’ll have to wait and see how things improve or evolve over time.
Here’s what Google said: “Google Translate is already a powerful tool for learning a new language. But we’ve heard from our users that the toughest skill to master is conversation — specifically, learning to listen and speak with confidence on the topics you care about. So today we’re piloting a new language practice feature designed to help you meet your unique learning goals.”
To get started, download the Google Translate app and tap on “Practice,” and you’re all set. From here, the app will ask about your skill levels, what you’re trying to learn, or your overall goals. You can even tap on preset scenarios, like a conversation at dinner, daily interactions, or common words. Then, its Gemini AI models will do all the heavy lifting and create a language learning model for you to take advantage of.
It’s like an interactive game, where you can listen to the words and tap each corresponding word, or you can choose to practice speaking the words yourself, with helpful hints and feedback. According to Google, this entire tool was developed with the help of several language learning experts, and it’ll even track your daily progress to help you talk and communicate confidently.
Additionally, Google Translate will now do a better job with live translation while you’re actively conversing with someone who doesn’t speak the same language. Instead of taking turns talking and holding the phone, it’ll all happen automatically. Google will translate your speech into the preferred language and say it out loud with AI-generated sound and transcripts, making it faster and easier to communicate.
Source: Google Blog
