Google Translate as a language tutor: The free alternative to Duolingo?

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Now may help you, you might already have it installed on your phone: Google Translate. The world's most used translation app has reinvented itself and now includes an AI-powered language tutor feature.

In my case, I've been practicing with it for a while and I can say it's a breath of fresh air compared to other options on the market, especially if you're tired of battling with ad-heavy apps like Duolingo.

If you're learning a language like I am, you're in luck. You now have a completely free tool—truly free, unlike Duolingo—with which you can practice your language. I'm practically certain you already have it installed on your phone: Google Translate, which now incorporates an option for language practice.

It's simple, ad-free (at least at the time I'm recording this), and accessible to everyone.

How the Google Translate tutor option works

The application is in beta and now includes a new icon that allows you to practice in two ways:

1. Listen: The app plays a sentence, and you must select the correct option based on what you understood. It's like a short guided dictation, but generated with AI in real-time.
2. Conversation: Here you can maintain a simple dialogue. The application suggests phrases, and you decide how to respond.
   I tried to "troll" it with weird answers, but the AI turned the tables on me. Literally, it trolled me. That naturalness is what makes it different: it doesn't feel like a rigid quiz, but a dynamic conversation.

I tried to troll it, but it seems it trolled me instead:

Advantages of practicing languages with Google Translate

Accessibility and genuine gratuity

The first thing that stands out is that it's completely free. And I say "truly free" because there are no lives that run out, virtual coins, or energy that you recharge by watching ads. Unlike other apps, here you are not hindered by a hidden business model.

No ads or gamification systems

In my experience, I appreciate that Google Translate doesn't try to trap you with "streaks," chests, or artificial rewards. You just go in, practice, and progress at your own pace.

Current limitations of the Google Translate tutor

Prior knowledge required

The biggest limitation is clear: it's not a system for learning from scratch. If you've never seen a word in the language you want to study, it won't help. However, if you already have a foundation, it works perfectly as reinforcement.

Features still in beta phase

The app is still under construction. I miss having more variety of exercises and difficulty levels. But being in beta, it is logical to think that they will add options over time.

In that sense, it is similar to Duolingo, since I also don't consider it possible to learn a language from scratch with its free plan:

• Duolingo has a system that, in my opinion, makes serious learning virtually impossible:
• If you make two or three mistakes, you lose energy.
• To recover it, you must watch three to five ads.
• Each ad lasts more than 30 seconds, so you waste more than 2 minutes on advertising for every mistake.
• For example, I have two devices: I watch the ads on the tablet and do the lessons on the phone. But it's a real nightmare.
• Furthermore, let's add the rest: streaks, Duolingo Max, Duolingo Family, rewards... too much jargon and distractions that are tiring at this point.

Google Translate vs Duolingo: compared experience

Advertising and business model

This is where the difference seems huge to me. With Duolingo, if you make two or three mistakes, you lose energy and end up watching ads longer than 30 seconds. I myself ended up using two devices: I watched the ads on the tablet and did the lessons on the phone. A nightmare.
In contrast, with Google Translate you practice without interruptions.

Motivation and usability

Duolingo bets heavily on gamification. It can be motivating at first, but there comes a point where the notifications, streaks, and chests become tiresome. Google Translate gets straight to the point: practice and improve. That simplicity makes it refreshing.

Is it worth using Google Translate to learn a language?

• For beginners
  • If you're starting from scratch, it's not the ideal tool. There are no grammar explanations or a structured learning path.
• For intermediate students
  • This is where it shines. If you already have a foundation, you can quickly and freely reinforce listening and conversation.
• Future prospects
  • The most interesting thing is to think about what's coming. If Google decides to expand this tutor with more functions, levels, and support for beginners, it could become a serious threat to Duolingo and company.

Frequently Asked Questions about Google Translate as a Language Tutor

• Does Google Translate really teach languages?
  • More than teaching from scratch, it reinforces what you've learned with practical exercises.
• Can you learn English from scratch with Google Translate?
  • No. You need prior knowledge to get the most out of it.
• How is Google Translate different from Duolingo?
  • The big difference is that Translate has no ads or lives/energy systems. It is free and direct.
• What languages does the Google Translate tutor feature support?
  • The most popular ones: English, French, German, Portuguese, among others. It is expected that the list will be expanded.
• Will Google Translate remain free with this feature?
  • For now, yes, and that is one of its great advantages over the competition.

Conclusion

Google Translate has gone from being a translator to becoming a real companion for language practice. Its simplicity and freeness make it stand out against alternatives like Duolingo, although it still has a long way to go to be a complete learning platform.

In my experience, it is a perfect tool for those who already have a foundation and want to practice without distractions. If Google continues to improve it, it could be the beginning of a new way to learn languages with AI.