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Translate text in real-time from over 100 languages. Or copy paragraphs, serial numbers, and more from an image, then paste it on your phone or your computer with Chrome.

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18 Tips and Tricks to Use Google Lens like a Pro

When Google Lens started, it could identify flowers, animals, plants, things, and some other things with reasonable accuracy when you pointed your camera at it. It is used to search for anything in the world around you to quickly find more info on it. But since then, Google has added a long list of features to the Google Lens. Instead of just searching for information about the objects around you, here’s everything you can do with the help of Google Lens on smartphones and also on desktops.

How to Use Google Lens Like a Pro

Let’s start with something small but meaningful. But before moving on, download Google Lens for Android and iOS .

1. Scan Barcodes and QR Codes

These days, native camera apps from iPhone and Samsung have barcode scanners built-in. But that’s not the case with all Android phones. Instead of downloading some QR scanner app, you can use Google Lens app to quickly scan any barcode or QR Code.

You don’t have to switch to any special mode on the Lens app either. Just open Google Lens and point your camera at the barcode to scan it automatically.

2. Copy Text from the Real World

You can use Google Lens to quickly copy text from anywhere. You just have to open the Google Lens app and change the mode of the lens to text. Now when you point your camera at any text, you will be able to select the text like you do on a webpage. Once selected, tap on the copy Text option to copy the selected text.

In fact, not just in the world around but you can even select any image on your phone to copy text directly from it.

3. Translate any Text in Real-Time

Another major feature of Google Lens is translation. When you find any book, signboard, or text anywhere in a language that you are not familiar with, use Google Lens to quickly translate the text. The best part is that you don’t even have to know the language you are looking for. The lens can auto-identify the language and translate it into a language that you would understand.

Open the Google Lens app and select the Translate mode at the bottom. Now point the camera at the text that you need to translate. Google Lens will auto-detect the text’s language and convert it into the language that you know. Anyhow, you can manually change both from and to languages on the lens itself. Similarly, you can also translate text in an image. If you select and tap on the copy option now, you will be able to copy the translated text.

4. Listen to Papers and Books

Apart from copying and translating text, you can instead try listening to it. You can use this feature in many situations. For example, instead of reading a book, you can just scan the book’s page and choose to listen to it. In fact, you can choose the translate option and then listen to the translated text if you want to.

Open the Google Lens app, select the text mode, and scan any text with it. Once scanned, you can select the Listen option to listen to text in the frame. Similarly, you can also select the translate option and select the Listen option to listen to the translated text.

5. Send Text to Desktop

Instead of copying the text, you can actually send the text that you have scanned to the desktop. If you are typing on the desktop and quickly want to add a quote that you read in a book, the easiest and fastest way is to simply scan the text and select the option Copy to computer . It will list all computers that you are logged in with your Google Chrome browser. You can just paste it by pressing Ctrl+V or by selecting the Paste option in the right-click menu.

You can only do that if you have Google Chrome installed on your computer and logged in with your Google account.

6. Save Calendar Events

You can scan anything with a date and time involved like an invitation card. When you select a text with date and time, Google Lens will directly give you an option to add a calendar event. When you tap on it, you will be redirected to Google calendar where you just enter the event name and save it.

Lens can easily understand the date and time written in different formats from April 12th, 2022 to 12.4.22.

7. Save Contacts from Business Cards

Saving contacts is even more seamless than saving a calendar event as Google Lens can pick up all the contact details like name, number, email id, location, etc., and fill it up instantly. Also, you don’t have to select any text here. As soon as the Lens identifies it as a business card, it suggests adding the contact with a small white dot on the name of the contact. Taping on it will provide a one-click option to save the contact.

All the details will be added to your default Contacts app.

8. Call/Email Any Contact

Whenever you see a billboard or banner and want to call the number, look no further. Google Lens has got you covered. Instead of entering the phone number manually in the phone app, open Google Lens and scan the billboard or anywhere you see a phone number. Then tap on the phone number on the scanned image to get an option to call the number.

Tapping on it will open the Phone app with the number already entered. You can do the same with the email. Just scan and select their email id to start sending them an email.

9. Complete Homework

Google Lens has a dedicated homework mode for solving math problems. You just have to point your camera lens towards a math equation. Google Lens will scan the question and display the results. You can take a look at the overview or even ask for steps to solve the problem. This feature is a bit of a hit or miss for some questions and only works with math as of now even though it says homework.

10. Shop Anything You See

Google Lens also has a shopping option which you can select and point the camera on anything. The lens will scan it and provide you with links to buy that item. If you do not know the name of the item, you can buy the same product with the same or a similar design. It works with almost everything from clothes, home decor, electronics, spare parts, kitchen utensils, and even tools.

11. Multi-Search

Multi-search expands the features of Google Lens to a whole new level. It allows you to search with both images and text at the same time. For example, you can scan any electronic product and add the text How to use it to refine the text, scan an orange dress and add the text green to find the same dress in green color, and so on.

With multi-search, instead of just scanning and viewing results, you can add text queries to refine search results better.

12. Use Lens on Google Photos

Lens is integrated into the Google Photos app, so you don’t have to download the image, and open it with Google Lens to scan it. When viewing photos in Google photos, you will get a lens icon at the bottom. Tap on it to instantly start scanning with Google Lens. Once scanning begins, you can change the Lens mode from search to text, translate, do homework, or shopping.

13. Use Lens on Google Search

While all the previous methods only work on mobile apps, you can actually use the Google Lens on the desktop too.

To access, search anything on Google, hop on to the images section and open any image. Here you should find the Lens icon on the image at the top right. Clicking on it will perform a Google Lens search instead of a normal Google Image search. Anyhow, many features like shopping, text, etc. do not work on the desktop yet.

14. Use Lens on Google Chrome

The above method only works on the Google Images page. But if you are using Google Chrome browser on your desktop, you can use Google Lens on any image. Just right-click on the image and select the Search with Google Lens option. It will launch Google Lens in the right sidebar.

The browser-integrated Lens is a bit more feature-packed than Google Search integrated one as you can copy and translate text as well.

On the smartphone, long-press and select the Search with Google Lens option. This will directly open the image in the Google Lens app, so you get every feature that Google Lens supports.

15. Find Best Dishes on Restaurant’s Menu

When you are in a restaurant, open Google Lens and change it to Dining mode. Now when you scan their menu, Lens will highlight the best dishes they serve. Google aggregates this info from the reviews people have left on that restaurant.

16. Find NearBy Restaurants

Also, when you are in dining mode, you can scan any dish directly or from a photo. Then add Nearby in the multi-search. This will help you find a restaurant nearby that is selling a similar dish.

17. Ctrl+F the World Around You

Scene exploration is a new feature introduced recently. Instead of showing one item and asking questions about it, with this feature, you can ask any query by showing scans of multiple objects and Google Lens will highlight results according to your needs.

For example, when you are in a shopping mall and ask Google Lens to show nut-free chocolates by scanning all the chocolates in a row, Lens will scan and display results for which chocolate to choose.

18. Use Google Lens Mode From Camera App

Finally, Lens is now integrated into many other third-party camera apps from OEMs like OnePlus and MIUI. All you have to do is change the mode to Google Lens mode. Anyhow, it can search, text, translate, scan QR codes, etc, but you cannot change the mode manually and some features like shopping, homework, etc. also do not work.

Looking Through The Google Lens

Google Lens enables a new visual style of searching online. With that, it provides many features like copy-paste text, translation, saving contacts, etc. along with the ability to search anything online without even knowing its name. Using Google Lens with Google Search and Google Assistant will give you the option to search in new and interesting ways. Along with Google Lens tricks, you should also check some Google Assistant tricks .

Ravi Teja KNTS

From coding websites to crafting how-to guides, my journey from a computer science engineer to a tech writer has been fueled by a passion for making technology work for you. I've been writing about technology for over 3 years at TechWiser, with a portfolio of 700 articles related to AI, Google apps, Chrome OS, Discord, and Android. When I'm not demystifying tech, you can find me engrossed in a classic film – a true cinephile at heart.

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12 Amazing Ways to Use Google Translate to Practice Spanish

To be more efficient and impressive with your Spanish translations, use this complete guide on how to use Google Translate like a pro!  

What is Google Translate?

Google translate is a powerful online tool that translates words and sentences from one language to another. 

Besides English and Spanish, Google translates French, Italian, German, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Arabic, Russian, Hebrew, and Yiddish—just to name a few. It actually translates over 100 languages! 

How to Get It

Google Translate is completely free! To download it as an app or pull it up online, just do a search in your browser! Google Translate has apps for both iOS and Android mobile devices that let you translate via text, speech, and pictures.

Check out Google Translate for web browsers or download the app via Play Store or App Store . 

Limitations of Google Translate

Before learning to use Google Translate, it’s important to go over this tool’s limitations. Although it is useful, Google Translate isn’t perfect. 

Google Translate uses a database of word pairs between languages for its translations. While this gives you speedy translations, it also means that translations might not always be correct. 

Online translation just isn’t capable of picking up context, hidden meanings, or metaphors. As a result, some translations come out as awkward literal translations that miss the real significance of the phrase or as outright errors. 

For example, your Spanish teacher will be able to tell if you turn in a Google-translated document and likely won’t be happy about it!

However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use Google Translate! Google Translate is an incredible resource that gives you fast translations of a vast array of words and phrases—just don’t use it for your Spanish essays!

How to Use Google Translate on a Web Browser

First, let’s go over how you can use Google Translate on a web browser. This tool gives you a variety of options to translate text of any kind!

1. Translate Text

Text translation is the most common usage for Google Translate! 

Simply pick your source language on the top left and your target language on the top right. For example, if you want to translate an English phrase into Spanish, English would be your source language and Spanish would be your target language. 

If you forget this step, don’t worry! Google can automatically detect which language you’re using! Pretty cool right?

Next, start typing! Or paste text from documents or websites. 

2. Save Your Favorite Phrases

Afraid of forgetting a fun new phrase you just translated? Google Translate has you covered! This tool enables you to easily save your translations so you can come back to them later.

Just click on the tiny star image by your translation. It will turn yellow after you click it, showing that the translator put the phrase into your saved list. 

To go back to this translation, click on the large star icon at the bottom of the page called “Saved.” The webside wil instantly pull up a list of all your saved phrases. Build up your own personal Spanish dictionary with all your favorite words! 

3. Translate Entire Documents

You’ll be able to read articles and documents in Spanish with this feature!

Just click the “documents” button at the top left and browse your computer for the file you need to translate. 

That’s it! Google Translate will do the rest! A completed translation of your document will appear on your screen that you can copy or save. 

4. Translate Websites

Simply copy the URL of the website you wish to translate and paste it into the left side of Google Translate. A new URL with the translated version of the site will pop up on the right-hand side. Click the link and start reading your new source! Click here if you need extra help with this. 

5. Translate Speech

Want to translate a phrase but don’t feel like typing it all out? The speech translation mode is perfect to easily translate your words with minimal effort.

Simply plug in English and Spanish as the languages you want to use and click the microphone in the left corner. Then start talking! Click the new blue stop icon when you’re finished and Google Translate will automatically put your words into Spanish on the right side. 

Want to listen to the translation in Spanish? Click the microphone icon on the right side this time and it will say your translation out loud. Check out this resource for more tips on using Google speech translation! 

How to Use the Mobile App

Download Google Translate on your device so you can take your translations with you anywhere! Here are some tips on how to the mobile app and let your translations flow.

6. Pocket Dictionary

Google Translate makes a great pocket dictionary and thesaurus for on-the-go language practice. To use it as a dictionary, you’ll want to set the source language to “detect language” and the target language to English or Spanish, depending on what language you want the definition in. 

Next, type the word you want to define. Scroll down to view a list of definitions!

You don’t always have to type out your text! You can actually use your fingers to write out your phrases. This can come in handy when you prefer to handwrite your words rather than text-type.

Just click on the pen icon and start drawing! Google Translate will automatically put in the words and give you their translations.

8. Block Offensive Words

Want to make sure your child or student is safe using Google Translate? This app lets you easily block offensive words from being translated.

Just go to settings in the app and click on “Speech Input.” From there, you will have the option to block or permit offensive words from being used. 

This is a great option so that students of all ages can have safe access to this amazing app!

9. Full Screen

Small text on a phone can be difficult to read! Luckily, Google Translate allows you to expand your translation to full screen. You’ll easily be able to read the words now—even from a distance!

First, put in your text as you normally do for a translation. Next, click the three dots by the translated text and hit “Full Screen.” The new translation will automatically expand and fill the whole screen.

10. Offline

You might not always have access to the internet when you need to translate something. Here is how you can use Google Translate offline so you’re never caught off guard!

Go to the app and download a language pack so you always have access to Google Translate, even with spotty wi-fi! Just go to the list of languages, find Spanish, and hit download. That’s it! 

For more information on how to use Google Translate offline, click here . 

11. Translate Images

Image translation is one of the coolest features of the app! It allows you to use your phone’s camera to translate any image instantly. 

Simply choose your source and target languages and tap the camera icon. You’ll then want to aim your camera at the sign, menu, or document you want translated. Try to hold it steady so that Google Translate can get a good view of the words. 

Once Google Translate recognizes the text, it will automatically translate it on the screen! Impress your parents or friends with this neat trick!

12. Conversations

Want to talk to someone who only speaks Spanish? Don’t worry! The Google Translate app allows you to carry out real-time conversations with anyone!

As always, put in the two languages you need for the translations. Then you’ll want to hit the “conversation” button. You have the option to translate the conversation manually or automatically. 

In manual mode, you have to click on the microphone of the speaker before their turn. However, if you click “automatic” the website will detect who is speaking!

From there, you can carry on your conversation and read the screen as the translator automatically types out your words! 

Want More Spanish Practice?

Now that you know how to use Google Translate like a pro, it’s time to go to town with your translations! But did you know that learning Spanish is actually more effective when you learn 1-on-1 with a certified, native Spanish-speaking teacher? That’s why Homeschool Spanish Academy has over 24,000 actively enrolled students! Sign up for your own free class today!

Want more free Spanish resources? Check these out!

• What Does it Actually Take to Become Fluent in Spanish?
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How to Use Google Translate: Complete Beginner's Guide

Last Updated: April 3, 2024 Fact Checked

Using the Google Translate App

Using the google chrome app, using a desktop browser.

This article was reviewed by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Dillon . Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 454,570 times.

Did you come across a language you don't understand? Whether you're learning something new or want quick information, you can use Google Translate on your computer or phone to translate text into a language you know. In this article, we'll teach you how to use Google Translate on your computer, phone, or tablet.

Getting Started with Google Translate

Start by downloading the Google Translate app or visiting www.google.com/translate. To translate text, paste the text into the first box. Google Translate will automatically detect the language of the text and translate it. You can also translate images, documents, websites, audio, and more with Translate's other functions.

• If you're using the app for the first time, you'll be asked to log in to save your translation history. If you don't want to sign in, tap Use Translate without an account .

• Google Translate will detect the language automatically and translate it to English.
• If you think there is an error in the detected language, you can change it by tapping the language and selecting from the list.
• To change the translated language, click the language at the top-right corner and select another language.

• If this is your first time using Google Lens, tap Continue to agree to the terms, then tap OK .
• Point your device camera at the text. This could be a flyer, document, or note.
• Google Translate will translate the visible words as you hover the camera over them.
• Tap the camera button at the bottom to take a photo.
• If you think there is an error in the detected language or output language, you can change it by tapping the language and selecting from the list.
• You can also tap the photo icon in the bottom-left corner to select an existing photo from your camera roll or gallery.

Conversation

• Set your language and the other person's language. For example, you can set English on the bottom-left and Spanish on the bottom-right.
• Tap the microphone next to your language, then speak after the Speak now prompt. Your words will be entered on the screen with the translation below or on top. The position depends on which language you assigned to each side.
• Tap the microphone next to your partner's language, then let them speak after the Speak now prompt. Their words will be entered on the screen with the translation.
• You can play the translation's recording by tapping the speaker icon to the left of the translation.

• Speak into the microphone. Your phrase will be typed as you speak.
• Tap the microphone icon when you're finished, or wait until Translate redirects you.
• Your translated phrase will be below the field.

• Tap Got it . You can begin speaking immediately.
• Google Translate will translate your words continuously as you speak them.
• If you need to change the input language, tap the language at the top and select from the list.
• Tap the cog icon in the bottom-left corner to adjust the text size or show the original text (untranslated).

Handwriting

• Tap the input language and set it as Detect language .
• Tap the pen icon in the top-right corner of the box. A pop-up will open at the bottom of your screen.
• Use your finger to draw the character or phrase. As you draw, a list of options will appear at the top of the window.
• Tap the detected character or phrase to add them to the box. You can repeat this step until you add your entire phrase.
• The translation will appear below the box.

Tap to Translate (Android only)

• In the Google Translate app, tap Menu → Settings → Tap to Translate → Enable .
• Open an app with text you can copy. Highlight the text to translate, then tap Copy .
• Tap Google Translate , then select the translated language.

• You'll be able to translate websites when browsing with the Google Chrome app.

• For Android, this will be at the top-right corner.
• A menu will open.

• Google Chrome will translate the website into the specified language.

• You don't need a Google account to use Google Translate, but you'll be able to view your translation history and keep "Saved" translations if you sign in .
• Because languages are complex, Google Translate should be used as a guide to get the basic concepts of a piece, not as an accurate translation.

• Press CTRL + C (Windows) or CMD + C (Mac) to copy, then press CTRL + V (Windows) or CMD + V (Mac) to paste.
• If you think there is an error in the detected language, you can change it by manually clicking the down-arrow and selecting a language. To change the translated language, click the down-arrow and select another language.

• Click the Documents tab in the top header, then click Browse your computer . You'll need to select the document you want to translate, then click Open .
• Click Translate to begin translating your document. Depending on the number of pages you're uploading, this may take a few minutes.
• Click Download translation when it's finished.
• Open your file. It will be translated to the best of Google Translate's ability.

• Click the Websites tab in the top header.
• Copy the URL of the website with CTRL + C (Windows) or CMD + C (Mac).
• Paste it into the Website field with CTRL + V (Windows) or CMD + V (Mac).
• Click the blue arrow to submit.
• You'll be redirected to the translated website in a new tab.

• Click the pencil icon in the bottom-right corner of the left box. A pop-up window will open.
• Use your mouse to draw the character or phrase. As you draw, a list of options will appear before the pop-up window.
• Click the detected character or phrase to add them into the left box. You can repeat this step until you add your entire phrase.
• The translation will appear in the right box.

• Click the down-arrow on the left box and select your spoken language.
• Click the microphone icon in the bottom-left corner of the left box. You may need to allow permissions to use your computer's microphone.
• To change the translated language, click the down-arrow and select another language.
• Press the "stop" icon to end the feature.

Community Q&A

• Google Translate is not a perfect translator. Often, the sentence structure will not translate properly, making it odd or incorrect in the other language. This is due to the complexity of language. However, this is a great starting point for learning a new language. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://support.google.com/translate/answer/2534559?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=1
• ↑ https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6350658?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
• ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/173424?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=1
• ↑ https://support.google.com/translate/answer/2534559?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&oco=1

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Using Google Translate To Support From Home

Before Google Translate, helping with homework was one of the most challenging tasks experienced by parents of language learners. I still remember attending middle school, having to do homework on my own. Figuring out what I had to do using a paper-based bilingual dictionary. My first days in middle school were very intense.

Homework completion took me hours because I had to use my bilingual dictionary to look up too many words. Nevertheless, today, parents have access to cell phones and computers that help us expedite the homework experience.

Parents are now using Google Translate to support their children from home. One of the most used tools parents of bilinguals use is the Google Translate website and application. Over the years, Google Translate has substantially improved and seems much more reliable. As a translator, I have tried many sites online to do translations, and Google continuously returns good results in English and Spanish translations.

When to Use Google Translate

Google Translate is great to translate school assignments and patent-teacher communication. Parents may use Google Translate to write notes to teachers and communicate information about their child. This may include school absence notes, homework related questions, field trip inquiries, and health-related communication with the school nurse.

To translate incoming text, parents can use the Google Translate app to translate text from English to another language. Google Translate app has a camera feature that allows users to scan a document, which is shown in the other language.

Translation tools are helpful to teachers and schools in various ways. Schools can use Google Translate to translate outgoing communication to parents. This may include homework directions, field trip information, upcoming event and activities, and school nurse health-related information.

Teachers may use the camera feature to translate home to school notes about their students. When schools encourage parents to send notes in their native language it facilitates communication among parents and teachers. If a parent sends a note written in their native language – teachers can use the camera feature to translate the note to English. Once translated, a teacher may use an over the phone interpreting service to reply to the note or type up a reply using Google Translate.

Homework extends the school learning experience allowing students to practice at home what they learn in class. As a result, families must do assignments at home in a language that they sometimes not spoken by the parents. This happens for native English-speaking households who may have a child participating in a dual language immersion program and also happens for non-English speaking family households with students learning English. Subsequently, parents may use Google Translate to translate homework assignments.

Using Google Translate to support your child at home allows you to translate using various features to assist in your child’s school experience.

Text translation option on the website:

Most homework is given to students as a document. In most cases, the first few sentences include the directions of what the student is expected to do to complete the homework.

1. Go to the Google Translate box and type the text you want to translate on the left text box.

2. Select the language you are typing in and on the next box, select the language to translate to.

The above step may be done by accessing the homework electronically. The text to be translated can be typed in or pasted in either English or Spanish once the text is in you’ll have to select the target language you understand.

If you’re a parent that speaks a language other than English or Spanish, Google Translate is also able to translate to many more languages such as Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Tagalog, and many other languages.

Using the Google Translate App:

One of the best features of the free Google Translate application is its mind-blowing ability to translate text using your cell phone camera. The Google Translate app is available for iPhone and Samsung cellphones.

• Download the Google Translate app and open the camera feature in the app.

2. While scanning the text in camera mode, Google Translate switches the text into the language you choose.

For this step, make sure to hold your camera steady to get the most accurate translation. The above can also be done for completing field trip forms and understand notes sent from school.

Translating Websites:

• On your computer, go to Google Translate.
• In the text box, enter a URL.
• To choose the language you want to translate to, at the top right, click the Down arrow.
• On the right, click the URL that appears. The URL will open a new tab and the website will be translated.

Google Translate is a great tool to support your child at home with homework. Schools are finding ways to use translation tools such as Google Translate and Class Dojo to engage families in a child’s education.

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Dr. Sugely (soo-heh-lee) Solano

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Speaking Latino

Teach and Learn Real World Spanish

6 Strategies to Deal with Google Translate in the Spanish Classroom

It’s a familiar story…

An average student turns in Spanish homework.

You review the homework thoroughly, hoping that the assignment is complete.

Miraculously, the student’s tendency to write in Spanish without any regard for the dictionary has transformed, overnight, into total grammar perfection.

Perhaps you feel pride swelling for a moment, or perhaps the anxiety hits right away; either way, you quickly become frustrated. Really? Do you really have to confront yet another student about yet another difficult-to-prove cheating incident?

If this situation is familiar to you, know that we feel your pain.

World language teachers across America are struggling with the blessing and the curse that is Google Translate.

This translation tool is uncanny, and its omnipresence is undeniable. Its ability to “learn” and improve with every opportunity to translate a phrase from Spanish to English and vice versa is bizarrely impressive. Better yet (or worse yet, depending on how you feel about the issue), it’s free and widely available to any student who has internet access.

So, we validate your frustration. Even YouTube validates your frustration (check out Malinda Kathleen Reese and her YouTube channel Google Translate Sings ; her premise: “What do you think would happen if song lyrics were translated back and forth between multiple languages using only an online translation software?” As one writer on the TVTropes website says, hilarity ensues ).

And for better or for worse, Google Translate is improving with every translation; the more the tool translates, the ‘smarter’ it gets; that’s why the Spanish tool is more accurate than the Russian one.

So, what can Spanish teachers do about Google Translate’s pending world domination? Is there anything at all that we can do to interfere with its progress and growth?

Sadly, probably very little, so here’s the real question for you, one that we can actually answer: how do we get ahead of those students who rely on this tool for a passing grade?

Here are a few practical strategies to get you thinking about Google Translate and its role in your classroom.

How do you feel about Google Translate? Is it the bane of your teaching existence or is it a potentially exciting teaching tool, or something in between?

If a student uses Google Translate on a homework assignment or a writing project, do you view it as a cheating or plagiarism offense, or is it a minor transgression, similar to a student asking a native speaker friend for a little help?

Knowing the answer to these kinds of questions enables you to feel prepared when you face the inevitable. Once you know where you stand, or if you need guidance figuring out where to stand, talk with your department head about your position on this issue.

If you are sure you have the support of your higher-ups, those difficult conversations with a student and/or parent will go a lot more smoothly.

Let your students know that you’re aware. Once they know that you know that Google Translate exists and that they know how to use it, the tool loses some of its power.

By initiating the conversation, yourself, you are showing your students that Google Translate is comfortably within your teacherly jurisdiction. This is the Google Translate equivalent of settling into your classroom at least five minutes before your students arrive so you can establish that the classroom is your territory.

Google Translate can be your territory too, so talk about it with confidence, and your students will realize that you’re not simply reacting to a situation that is beyond your control.

Though Spanish/English dictionaries are on most book lists for most Spanish classes, a lot of students don’t actually know how to use one. And if students find their paper dictionaries a challenging hassle to use, where will they turn for easy and speedy answers? Google Translate.

Make a point of rewarding dictionary use once your students can work with their dictionaries with confidence. Encouraging Luddite behaviors in your students can become a classroom bonding experience, so don’t hold back.

Bring in an old-school phone to place on your desk as a symbol of your celebration of all things analog and turn your students’ groans into a humorous opportunity to showcase how why the dictionary is a valuable tool for Spanish scholars of all levels.

Discuss with students the pros as well as the cons of Google Translate. Google Translate is remarkably reliable when used as a dictionary, but it relies on the correct spelling of the original word.

Imagine what might happen if you misspell “petal” as “pedal” and “flower” as “flour” when searching for the Spanish equivalents; if you don’t notice you’ve made a mistake, you might confuse your reader who is wondering what you mean by pedales de harina (“flour pedals”).

As well, Google Translate struggles with idioms; unless a Spanish idiom has been entered into the tool many times, the algorithms assume that a literal translation is the correct translation.

Check out the lesson plan Google Translate: Friend or Foe? included inside our freebies section. To access all our freebies, create your free account here.

This suggestion might be a painful one for some teachers who already feel their time in the classroom is limited. It can feel frustratingly wasteful to devote valuable face time with students to mere supervision and cheating prevention.

Try experimenting with short but frequent writing tasks to develop writing habits in your students ; start class with a five-minute free writing about a vocabulary word you put on the board. If this approach works, consider adding an in-class journal to your list of assessments; daily writing in Spanish will do wonders for your students’ confidence and you only have to glance at their journals weekly to make sure they’re on track or to learn what grammar concepts might need a little more airtime.

Some teachers are passionate about their rejection of Google Translate, and we respect their position. However, there is some merit to embracing Google Translate and incorporating the tool into your lesson plans.

Ask beginning students to write a five-sentence paragraph in English, enter them into Google Translate for the Spanish version, and then instruct them to improve the translation in three different ways or to identify three new points of Spanish grammar or vocabulary they learned from the translation. Discuss the points in class to make sure everyone is on the same page, and if Google Translate gets something wrong and you catch the mistake, you validate its unreliability right in front of your students.

The lesson plan Google Translate: Friend or Foe? (Available inside our freebies section.) offers you more teaching ideas that attempt to make the most of what Google Translate can offer the classroom.

So, there you have it. Like many other miracles of the tech world, Google Translate certainly can make life easier for some and harder for others.

Diana Caballero

I'm Jared's wife and a dedicated contributor to Speaking Latino, the Spanish Teachers Community, and the World Language Teacher Summit.

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Homework Translator

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Ever thought about how to turn your everyday conversations into stellar schoolwork? With the Homework Translator, transforming Normal Language into Homework language has never been easier! This innovative tool will effortlessly reinterpret your thoughts, notes, and ideas into the precise academic terminology that impresses teachers and enhances your assignments. Perfect for students of all ages, it bridges the gap between casual chats and scholarly expressions, making homework a breeze!

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8 ways Google Lens can help make your life easier

Jun 14, 2023

[[read-time]] min read

Lens makes it easy to search what you see and explore the world around you — including the new ability to search for skin conditions.

If you can see it, you can search it. That’s the simple idea behind Lens , our visual search tool available in the Google app ( Android and iOS ). With Lens, you can search what you see with your camera, take a picture or a screenshot, or long press an image you see while browsing, and get a range of visual results to explore.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and it seems that many people agree: Every month we see more than 12 billion visual searches on Lens.

Haven’t tried Lens yet? If you need some motivation, here are our favorite ways that Lens can make your life a bit easier.

1. Learn about the things you see as you go about your day

If you see a cool building or landmark that you don’t recognize, Lens can tell you what you’re looking at and provide links to learn more. Similarly, whether on the road or in your own backyard, it’s not uncommon to discover plants and animals that you can’t quite clock or describe perfectly with words. Lens helps you search what you see and learn all about it — like whether that beautiful plant can grow indoors.

2. Search for skin conditions

Describing an odd mole or rash on your skin can be hard to do with words alone. Fortunately, there’s a new way Lens can help, with the ability to search skin conditions that are visually similar to what you see on your skin. Just take a picture or upload a photo through Lens, and you’ll find visual matches to inform your search. This feature also works if you're not sure how to describe something else on your body, like a bump on your lip, a line on your nails or hair loss on your head. This feature is currently available in select markets.

This is an image comparison feature that matches to images available publicly on the world wide web. This feature does not constitute a medical analysis of the image. Search results are informational only and not a diagnosis. Consult your medical authority for advice.

3. Translate street signs, menus and more into over 100 languages

If your summer plans involve travel, Lens can help you bridge the language barrier. Using the Translate filter in Lens, you can upload or take a picture, or even just point your camera at the text you want to translate, like a menu or a street sign. Lens will automatically detect the written language and overlay the translation on top of it, directly on your phone screen.

4. Get step-by-step help with homework problems

If you’re stuck on a homework problem in math, history or science, tap the “homework help” filter, then snap a picture, and Lens will share instructions to help you learn how to solve the problem. The homework help feature also enables you to tackle questions in multiple languages, and you can set your preferred language for search results.

5. Shop for the products that catch your eye

If you’re browsing on your phone and notice a product that you’d love to get your hands on — maybe a snazzy pair of walking shoes or a sleek and functional backpack — you can use Lens to find and buy one of your own. Just take a screenshot and select it in Lens, and you’ll get a list of shoppable matches with links to where you can make a purchase. It works the same way if you see something you want to buy while you’re out and about: Point your camera with Lens, snap a pic and you’ll see options from online merchants.

6. Or find different versions of those eye-catching products

About those snazzy walking shoes — maybe they’d be even better in blue. Multisearch in Lens lets you combine both words and images to find exactly what you’re looking for. In this case, snap a picture of the shoes in Lens and then swipe up to add words to your search (like “blue”). Lens will then show you similar shoes in the color of your choice. This also works with patterns — say you see a fun shirt and would love that pattern for your curtains. Take a pic of the shirt in Lens, swipe up and type “curtains” — and there you have it.

7. Discover delicious food near you

Multisearch also works for finding things nearby, like food from local restaurants. Let’s say you stumbled across an image of a dish you’re dying to try, but you’re not sure what it’s called. Just pull up that image in Lens and add the words “ near me ” to your search; Lens will show you nearby restaurants that serve what you’re looking for.

8. Unleash your creativity with Lens + Bard

As we shared at I/O, the power of Lens is also coming soon to Bard , our experiment that lets you collaborate with generative AI. Whether you want to learn more about something you saw, or explore completely new ideas in a more visual way, you can partner with Bard to start that journey. In the coming weeks, you’ll be able to include images in your Bard prompts and Lens will work behind the scenes to help Bard make sense of what’s being shown.

For example, you can show Bard a photo of a new pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing for your vacation, and ask what they’re called. You can even ask Bard for ideas on how to style those gladiator sandals for a complete summer look, and then continue browsing on Search — using the “Google it” button — to explore a wide range of products from retailers across the web.

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