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Enhancing English Fluency: Google introduces AI-powered 'Speaking Practice' tool

  • 16 May 2024

Google has introduced an innovative AI-powered feature named "Speaking Practice" to its Search platform, aimed at assisting users in enhancing their English speaking skills. This new tool, currently in its experimental phase, offers interactive exercises focused on incorporating new vocabulary into everyday conversations, thereby aiding English language learners in improving their communication skills.

 

As part of Google's Search Labs program, the "Speaking Practice" feature is currently accessible in various countries, including Argentina, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Venezuela. Users interested in trying out this tool must join the Search Labs program to activate the speaking practice feature. Once enabled, it seamlessly integrates into Google Search, offering users a more interactive and conversational experience.

 

To utilize the "Speaking Practice" tool in India, users are required to sign up for Google Search Labs. Upon enrollment, they can check if the speaking practice experiment is active and then enable it. Once activated, users can find the feature listed among their active Search Lab experiments. Furthermore, the feature allows users to test a sample interaction to comprehend its functionality.

 

Although this feature does not substitute a comprehensive English language learning course, it provides users with a unique opportunity to practice their English-speaking skills. Google's AI system listens to the user's speech, interprets it, and then responds with a natural-sounding reply or carries out a requested action. This interactive exchange enables users to practice conversational English, offering a more engaging way to incorporate new words into context and enhance fluency.

 

For instance, if the AI asks a user for advice on getting in shape, the user could respond with a sentence containing words like "exercise," "heart," and "tired." This interactive element fosters a dynamic learning process by simulating real conversations. This feature represents an extension of Google's previous English learning tools, such as the pronunciation tool launched in 2019, which enabled users to practice enunciating words correctly.