🗣️ Language learning
Google Translate Practice
By Google. Visit Google Translate Practice
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
A beta language-practice mode inside the Google Translate phone app. The learner sets a level and a goal, and the app makes short listening and speaking scenarios on the fly. In listening drills you tap the words you hear; in speaking drills you answer out loud with hints when stuck, and the app tracks daily progress. It launched in August 2025 for English speakers learning Spanish and French, and for Spanish, French and Portuguese speakers learning English.
Our take: Worth a try for teens learning Spanish or French who want speaking practice; younger kids and families wanting a full course should pick a dedicated app.
| Ages it suits | teens and adults; younger kids with a parent |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | Google's terms say anyone under the age to manage their own Google Account (13 in the US) needs a parent's permission, and parents are responsible for a child's use; under-13s can only have a Google Account through Family Link. (terms) |
| Price | Free. Free beta in the Translate app (Oct 2026); Google has not posted a price. |
| Works on | iPhone and iPad, Android |
| Account | No account needed |
| Ads | None |
| In-app purchases | None |
| The AI in it | Gemini models generate each practice scenario and adapt it to the learner's level, and speech recognition checks spoken answers. |
What's good
- Free and inside an app many families already have
- Speaking practice with hints
- Adapts to the learner's level
- Short daily sessions
Watch for
- Labeled a beta that could change or start charging
- Few language pairs
- Uses the microphone and sends speech to Google
- Pages don't say whether Practice needs a Google sign-in
Data and privacy
Google's privacy policy says it analyzes what people ask Translate to improve it and uses information to develop new features. The Play listing says the app may collect location, personal info and other data but shares none with third parties. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
The maker's own claims only: Google says the drills were built with learning experts; no independent study was found.
In the Big Index
- On the list 13 AI language-learning apps for kids and teens
- On the list 17 free AI tools a family can try this weekend
- On the list The 7 best new learning apps and sites of 2026
- On the list The 8 biggest AI-in-education launches by big companies in 2026
- How Google's LearnLM generative AI models support teachers and learners
- Guided Learning in Gemini: From answers to understanding
- AI and learning: A new chapter for students and educators
- 3 tips to study smarter with Gemini Notebook
- The maker in the who's who: Google
Alternatives to Google Translate Practice
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Babbel
Babbel · ages about 13+ (built for adults)
A solid choice for a motivated older teen; younger kids are not allowed and are better served by kids' apps.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Buddy.ai
Buddy.ai · ages about 3-8
Engaging speaking practice for preschoolers learning English; privacy-minded parents should skip the recording consent or delete data regularly.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Busuu
Busuu Limited (owned by Chegg, Inc.) · ages 13+
A fair choice for a teen studying a language who wants speaking practice; younger kids need a different app.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Cambly Kids
Cambly Inc. · ages about 4-15
Helpful for children learning English as a new language who need speaking practice; parents should sit in on early calls and read the recording terms.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Duolingo
Duolingo, Inc. · ages about 10+ (children under 13 get a restricted mode)
A fine free habit-builder for tweens and teens learning a language; younger kids are better served by Duolingo ABC or a kids' app.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Gus on the Go
toojuice, LLC · ages about 2-8
A cheap, gentle first taste of a new or heritage language for little kids; not enough on its own to build real fluency.
Where these facts come from
- https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/translate/language-learning-live-translate/
- https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en-US
- https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1350409?hl=en
- https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en-US
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate&hl=en_US
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.