Google is testing a new “Speaking Practice” feature in Search that helps users improve their conversational English skills. The company told TechCrunch that the feature is available to English learners in Argentina, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Venezuela who have joined Search Labs, its program for user experimentation with Google Search experiences in early stage.
The company says the aim of the experiment is to help improve a user’s English skills by having them take part in interactive AI-powered language learning exercises to help them use new words in everyday scenarios.
Speaking practice is based on a feature Google launched last October, which is designed to help English learners improve their skills. While the feature launched last year allows English learners to practice speaking sentences in context and receive feedback on grammar and clarity, Speaking Practice adds the dimension of back-and-forth practice conversation.
The feature was first spotted by a X userwho shared screenshots of the functionality in action.
Speaking practice works by asking the user a conversational question that they must answer using specific words. According to the screenshots, one possible scenario could involve the AI telling the user it wants to take their form and then asking, “What should I do?” The user will then have to say a response that includes the words “exercise,” “heart,” and “tired.”
The idea behind the feature is to help English language learners hold a conversation in English while also understanding how to use different words correctly.
The launch of the new feature shows 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. Back in 2019, Google released a feature which allowed Search users to practice how to pronounce words correctly.
