Google is testing a new “Practice Speaking” feature in search to help users improve their English speaking skills. The company told TechCrunch that the feature is available to English learners in Argentina, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Venezuela who are participating in Search Labs, a program that allows users to try out the early Google search experience. He said there is.
According to the company, the purpose of the experiment is to improve users' English skills by engaging them in AI-powered interactive language learning exercises and helping them use new words in everyday situations. .
Speaking practice builds on a feature Google launched last October to help English learners improve their skills. Launched last year, the feature allows English learners to practice speaking sentences in context and receive feedback on grammar and clarity, but speaking practice adds an aspect of back-and-forth conversation practice. Masu.
This feature was first discovered by X usershared a screenshot of the feature in action.
Speaking exercises require users to ask conversational questions and answer using specific words. According to the screenshot, one possible scenario could involve the AI telling the user that it wants to get in shape and asking, “What should I do?” The user must say a response that includes the words “exercise,” “cardio,” and “tired.”
The idea behind this feature is to help English learners understand how to properly use different words while having conversations in English.
The launch of this new feature signals that Google may be laying the groundwork for a real competitor to language learning apps like Duolingo and Babbel. This isn't the first time Google has dabbled in language learning and education tools. In 2019, Google launched a feature that allows search users to practice how to pronounce words properly.