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Google Search has officially launched a new feature designed to help users practice and improve their English speaking skills.

According to Christian Plagemann, Director, and Katya Cox, Product Manager at Google Research, the feature is now available for Android users in Argentina, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Venezuela, as shared in Google’s official blog.

Google confirmed that this English speaking practice tool will be expanded to more countries and additional languages in the future.

“Google Search has long been a valuable tool for language learners, offering translations, definitions, and other resources to help build vocabulary,” they said.

“Now, learners translating to or from English on an Android device will find a new English speaking practice experience with personalized feedback,” Google added, quoted on Tuesday (October 24, 2023).

According to Google, users will receive commonly used everyday words and will be asked to create their own spoken responses using the provided vocabulary.

Each English practice session lasts about three to five minutes. At the end of the session, users receive personalized feedback and can even set daily practice reminders.

During the exercises, users can also tap on any unfamiliar word to view its translation, complete with contextual meaning.

As reported by TechCrunch, Google leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to power this feature.

The Technology Behind the Feature

One of the technologies used is Deep Aligner, which connects words to build meaning and suggest accurate translations.

Another team adapted a grammar correction model to work with speech transcription—particularly helpful for users with accented speech. Google Research also created a separate model to support the semantic feedback component of the experience.

The same team developed another model to estimate the complexity level of sentences, phrases, or individual words, ensuring that learners receive challenges appropriate for their skill level.

Google also collaborated with “linguists, teachers, and ESL/EFL pedagogy experts” to create a guided language-learning experience within Search, ensuring that human expertise is embedded in the content.

Google emphasized that this feature is not designed to replace existing language-learning methods. Instead, it aims to serve as a complementary tool alongside tutoring services, mobile apps, or formal language classes.

Source: Liputan6.com