Katarzyna Petru
Google Translate has just received the biggest update in years – and it seems to be aiming straight at the language learning app market, which has long been dominated by Duolingo. The AI-powered features implemented this week not only allow for text translation but also actively practise the language, in the form of short, level-appropriate lessons.
Learning a language like in educational apps
The new feature works very simply: the app asks what level you are at – from "Beginner", through "Intermediate", to "Advanced". A "Just Starting" mode will also be introduced soon. You can then enter your motivation for learning the language or choose one of the suggestions.
Based on this, the artificial intelligence generates short scenarios to practice – e.g. a conversation about meal times. You can decide whether you want to practice listening (listening to a recording and selecting known words) or speaking (repeating phrases that appear on the screen). Google claims that the mechanism was created in collaboration with language learning experts and is based on the latest research in the field.
Learning a language like in educational apps
The new feature works very simply: the app asks what level you are at – from "Beginner" through "Intermediate" to "Advanced". Soon there will also be a "Just starting" mode. You can then enter your motivation for learning the language or choose one of the suggestions.
Based on this, artificial intelligence generates short scenarios to practice – for example, a conversation about meal times. You can decide whether you want to practice listening (you listen to a recording and choose known words) or speaking (you repeat phrases appearing on the screen). Google claims that the mechanism was created in collaboration with language learning experts and is based on the latest research in this field.
Enhanced Live Conversation
The second novelty is the update to the Live Conversation mode. Until now, the application translated statements only after they had finished. Now Google Translate shows the translation in real time, during your speech. The conversation partner can therefore read the text alongside what you are saying. If they prefer to hear the whole thing, the application will read the translation after the sentence has finished.
This option is already available in over 70 languages – from Arabic and French, through Spanish and Korean, to Tamil – and is accessible in the USA, India and Mexico.
Competition for Duolingo?
At first glance, the new feature seems simpler than what Duolingo offers, but the fact that it is part of free Google Translate could change the game. The app is available on virtually every smartphone, so millions of users could benefit from a free AI-based language learning system.
Will this be enough to threaten Duolingo's position? That will be revealed in the coming months.
