Google Translate takes on Duolingo with new language learning tools

Summary

Google is rolling out a new AI-powered experimental feature in Google Translate designed to help people practice and learn a new language, the company announced on Tuesday. Translate is also gaining new live capabilities to make it easier to communicate in real time with a person speaking a different language. The new language practice feature is designed for both beginners starting to learn conversational skills and advanced speakers looking to brush up on their vocabulary, the company says. To do so, it creates tailored listening and speaking practice sessions that adapt to a user’s skill level and unique learning goals. With this new language practice feature, Google is taking on Duolingo, the popular language learning app that uses a gamified approach to help users practice over 40 languages. Image Credits:Google To access the feature, you’ll select the “practice” option in the Google Translate app. From there, you can set their skill level and goals. Google Translate then generates customized scenarios where you can either listen to conversations and tap the words you hear to build comprehension, or you can practice speaking. The exercises track users’ daily progress, Google says. The beta experience is rolling out in the Google Translate app for Android and iOS starting Tuesday. The feature is available first for English speakers practicing Spanish and French, as well as for Spanish, French, and Portuguese speakers practicing English. Google is also introducing the ability for users to have back-and-forth conversations with audio and on-screen translations through the Translate app. “Building on our existing live conversation experience, our advanced AI models are now making it even easier to have a live conversation in more than 70 languages — including Arabic, French, Hindi, Korean, Spanish, and Tamil,” Google wrote in a blog post. Techcrunch event San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025 Image Credits:Google You can tap the “Live translate” option in the Transla...