Katarzyna Petru
Google Translate just received the biggest update in years – and it seems to be targeting the language learning app market, which has long been dominated by Duolingo. The AI-based features launched this week allow users not only to translate text but also to actively practice the language through 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 "Basic" to "Intermediate," all the way to "Advanced." A "Just starting" mode will also be available soon. Then you can enter your motivation for learning the language or choose one of the suggestions.
Based on this, artificial intelligence generates short scenarios to practice – e.g., a conversation about mealtimes. 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 developed in collaboration with language learning experts and is based on the latest research in this 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." A "Just Starting" mode will also be available soon. Then you can enter your motivation for learning the language or choose one of the suggestions.
Based on this, the 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 select known words) or speaking (you repeat 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.
Improved Live Conversation
The second novelty is the update to the Live Conversation mode. Until now, the app translated statements only after they were 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 app will read the translation after the sentence ends.
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 gain a free AI-based language learning system.
Is that enough to threaten Duolingo's position? We will find out in the coming months.
