🎤 Duolingo English Test 2025 Update: What Is Interactive Speaking and How Do You Prepare?

Big changes are here for the Duolingo English Test (DET) starting July 1st, 2025 — and if you’re planning to take the test soon, understanding these updates is crucial. The most significant change? The introduction of Interactive Speaking, which replaces some older question types and redefines how your spoken English is assessed.

Let’s break it down step-by-step:
What changed, why it matters, and how you can prepare — with real examples you can practice right away.

🆕 What Is Interactive Speaking?

The new Interactive Speaking task introduces a more dynamic and realistic way to measure your speaking skills. You’ll be asked six to eight questions in a row, and each question builds on the one before it — just like in a real conversation.

Instead of speaking to a blank screen, you’ll hear a voice from one of Duolingo’s virtual characters like “B” or “Oscar.” You then have up to 35 seconds to respond.

The goal?
To test how well you can:

• ✅ Think in real time
• ✅ Pronounce words clearly
• ✅ Use appropriate and varied vocabulary
• ✅ Stay on topic

Unlike the previous format, this update mimics natural interaction more closely — but it also means you can't rely on memorized responses.

🔁 Old vs. New: What Changed?

Here’s a quick comparison of what the speaking section used to look like — and how it works now.

Duolingo removed Read Aloud and Listen Then Speak, likely because they tested memorization more than real-life communication. These older tasks felt mechanical, while Interactive Speaking simulates the back-and-forth of real-world conversations — exactly what universities and workplaces care about.

🎯 Why Did Duolingo Make These Changes?

According to the update transcript, the goal is to make the DET feel more like a natural interaction. It’s designed to reflect what you might experience in a college classroom, study group, or everyday conversation — not just how well you memorized practice scripts.

This change matters because:

• It’s a more accurate assessment of your real-world speaking ability
• It allows for personalized, adaptive questioning
• It tests spontaneity, fluency, and confidence

And good news: Even with these updates, the total test time is still under one hour.

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🧪 Sample Interactive Speaking Format

Here’s an example given in the update:

Computer: Describe some activities people do at the beach.
Test taker: Swimming, sunbathing, playing volleyball, building sandcastles, surfing, or jogging along the shore.
Computer: Interesting. Let me ask you another question. Describe some animals that live in the ocean.
Test taker: Fish, dolphins, whales, sharks, jellyfish, and crabs. Some live near the shore and others live deep in the ocean.

💡 3 More Practice Examples for Interactive Speaking

Below are three complete examples of what Interactive Speaking might look like. Each includes two question-and-answer turns — exactly the format you'll experience on the test.

🌊 Example 1: Fishing 🎣

Computer: Have you ever gone fishing? Describe what the experience was like.
Test taker: Yes, I’ve gone fishing a few times with my uncle. We usually go early in the morning, set up near a quiet lake, and wait patiently with our fishing rods. It's very peaceful.

Computer: That sounds relaxing. What kind of fish do people usually catch in your area?
Test taker: In my area, people often catch bass, trout, or catfish. Some rivers also have small perch. It depends on the season, but those are the most common.

✈️ Example 2: Traveling 🧳

Computer: Describe a memorable trip you’ve taken. Where did you go and what did you do?
Test taker: One of my most memorable trips was to Japan. I visited Tokyo and Kyoto, explored temples, enjoyed sushi, and experienced the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Computer: Sounds amazing! If you could travel anywhere next, where would you go and why?
Test taker: I'd love to go to Italy. I’ve always wanted to see Rome and Venice, and try authentic Italian pasta and gelato. The history and food really interest me.

📚 Example 3: Reading 📖

Computer: Tell me about a book you recently read. What was it about?
Test taker: I recently read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a story about a young shepherd named Santiago who travels to find treasure but ends up discovering his true purpose instead.

Computer: Interesting. Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction, and why?
Test taker: I prefer fiction because it allows me to explore new worlds and perspectives. It’s a great way to relax and imagine different lives and experiences.

What To Know About The Duolingo English Test (DET) Scoring System

🧠 Tips for Preparing

✅ Practice speaking aloud daily — even just in front of a mirror
✅ Record yourself to listen for grammar or pronunciation errors
✅ Don’t memorize full answers — focus on flexible language you can adapt
✅ Answer the question directly and then expand briefly
✅ Use transition words like “first,” “also,” “for example,” and “because” to organize your answer

📌 Final Thoughts

The new Interactive Speaking section reflects a larger shift in the Duolingo English Test: away from scripted, artificial tasks and toward real, functional English. If you're preparing for the DET in 2025 or beyond, understanding and practicing this new format is critical to your success.

These changes aren’t just cosmetic — they help universities and employers better understand your ability to communicate clearly, think on your feet, and express yourself with confidence.

So, don’t wait until the night before. Start practicing now — and if you need structured support, check out detstudy for 15,000+ practice questions, AI feedback, and full access to updated test formats.