Duolingo's challenge: Google Translate will get an AI feature to help you learn foreign languages

TechCrunch reports that the new language learning feature is designed for both beginners and advanced users who want to improve their vocabulary. Google Translate is introducing personalized listening and speaking sessions that adapt to the user’s skill level and unique learning goals.

With these features, Google’s service begins to compete with the popular Duolingo app, which uses gamification to help users learn over 40 languages.

«Google Translate is already a powerful tool for learning a new language. But we heard from our users that the hardest skill to master is conversation—the ability to listen and speak confidently about topics that interest you. So today, we’re launching a new language learning pilot that will help you achieve your individual learning goals,» the feature announcement says .

Language learning is now available in beta in the Google Translate app for Android and iOS. Initially, the feature will be available to English speakers learning Spanish and French, and to Spanish, French, and Portuguese speakers learning English.

To access this feature, you need to select the «practice» option in the Google Translate app. In this section, you can set your skill level and goals. Google Translate will generate customized scenarios in which you can either listen to conversations and click on the words you hear to improve your understanding, or practice speaking. There is also the option to have dialogues with audio and on-screen translation.

Previously, a team of Ukrainian startups created a service for learning foreign languages ​​through systematic reading between tasks. The developers claim that they squeezed all the possibilities out of the platform to create the Telegram bot ReadEd.

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