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AI · January 30, 2026

IB

I built an AI conversation partner to practice speaking languages

Hi, I built TalkBits because most language apps focus on vocabulary or exercises, but not actual conversation. The hard part of learning a language is speaking naturally under pressure. TalkBits lets you have real-time spoken conversations with an AI that acts like a native speaker. You can choose different scenarios (travel, daily life, work, etc.), speak naturally, and the AI responds with natural speech back. The goal is to make it feel like talking to a real person rather than doing lessons. Techwise, it uses realtime speech input, transcription, LLM responses, and tts streaming to keep…

In plain words

TalkBits is an AI conversation partner app for language learners that simulates real-time spoken conversations with native speakers. Users select scenarios like travel or work, then speak naturally while the AI responds with fluid speech, using real-time transcription and text-to-speech technology to minimize lag. It targets learners who want to practice natural speaking under pressure rather than complete vocabulary exercises, aiming to replicate the experience of talking to an actual person.

written from the facts on this page · September 2026

From the sources

In the maker’s words, at launch

Hi, I built TalkBits because most language apps focus on vocabulary or exercises, but not actual conversation. The hard part of learning a language is speaking naturally under pressure. TalkBits lets you have real-time spoken conversations with an AI that acts like a native speaker. You can choose different scenarios (travel, daily life, work, etc.), speak naturally, and the AI responds with natural speech back. The goal is to make it feel like talking to a real person rather than doing lessons. Techwise, it uses realtime speech input, transcription, LLM responses, and tts streaming to keep latency low so the conversation feels fluid. I’m specially interested in feedback about: – Does it feel natural? – Where does the conversation break immersion? – What would make you use this regularly? Happy to answer technical questions too. Thanks

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