DET Interactive Speaking: 2026 Guide (New Task Type)
September 6, 2026
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If your DET prep material never mentions “Interactive Speaking,” it’s outdated. Here’s what the newest task type actually looks like, and how to practice it.
If your DET prep material never mentions “Interactive Speaking,” it’s outdated. Here’s what the newest task type actually looks like, and how to practice it.
The DET speaking section trips up more candidates than any other part of the exam. Here’s every question type, the exact timing, and a free 2-week plan to prepare.
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A step-by-step guide to using ChatGPT as your English tutor | 60+ copy-paste prompts for speaking, writing, vocabulary, and IELTS/TOEFL, sorted by your CEFR level.
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React Artifact
CEFR levels are a six-stage scale A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 created by the Council of Europe to describe how well someone can understand, speak, read, and write a language. A1 is beginner, C2 is near-native mastery, and the levels group into Basic User, Independent User, and Proficient User.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) was developed by the Council of Europe to solve a real problem: a "B2 in English" in one country meant something completely different in another. The CEFR fixed that by defining what a learner can do not how many rules they've memorized.
It's now used for 40+ languages worldwide, referenced by universities, employers, and exam boards including Cambridge English, IELTS, and TOEFL.
Introduces themselves, asks simple questions, and understands slow, clear speech on familiar topics — e.g. ordering coffee or filling a basic form.
Describes background and immediate needs, manages short routine exchanges e.g. asking directions or shopping without help.
Handles most travel situations, expresses opinions on familiar topics e.g. explaining a problem to customer service.
Interacts fairly naturally with native speakers, writes clear detailed text the level most jobs and universities require.
Uses language flexibly for academic and professional life — e.g. presenting to senior management with no obvious hesitation.
Understands virtually everything, expresses ideas with precision even in complex situations the ceiling of the CEFR scale.
Approximate concordance always confirm the exact figure with the institution or visa office you're applying to.
| CEFR | IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT (0–120) | Duolingo (DET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Below 3.0 | Below 30 | Below 55 |
| A2 | 3.0–3.5 | 30–33 | 55–65 |
| B1 | 4.0–5.0 | 34–56 | 65–85 |
| B2 | 5.5–6.5 | 57–86 | 90–115 |
| C1 | 7.0–8.0 | 87–109 | 120–150 |
| C2 | 8.5–9.0 | 110–120 | 155+ |
| Move | Estimated Guided Study Hours |
|---|---|
| A1 → A2 | 90–100 hours |
| A2 → B1 | 150–180 hours |
| B1 → B2 | 200–220 hours |
| B2 → C1 | 200–220 hours |
| C1 → C2 | 200+ hours |
Beginner to B2 (the level most jobs and universities ask for) typically takes 500–600 hours — faster with daily speaking practice.
A Dubai customer-support role listed "B2 English" instead of a test score, so candidates could qualify with IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 100 alike.
A Texas community college pathway requires B2 (≈ IELTS 5.5–6.5) before international students enroll in credit-bearing courses.
The UK skilled-worker route ties its minimum English requirement to CEFR B1, provable through any approved test.
A marketing executive found she was C1 in reading but only B1 in spontaneous speaking closed with a focused intermediate course in 3 months.
A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 running from beginner (A1) to mastery (C2), grouped into Basic User, Independent User, and Proficient User bands.
B2 is generally where people start feeling fluent in daily life and work, though C1 is treated as truly fluent in professional and academic contexts.
Most undergraduate programs require B2, while many master's and PhD programs require C1 always confirm with the specific institution.
No. CEFR describes what you can do with a language; IELTS and TOEFL are specific tests whose scores are mapped onto CEFR levels for comparison.
Take a placement test that maps directly to CEFR descriptors, such as the free English Level Test on EnglishCareerByte, rather than self-assessing alone.
Yes it's common to score higher in reading or listening than in speaking or writing, since each skill develops at its own pace.
Take the free English Level Test for an instant CEFR-aligned result, then jump into the right course:
Find your exact CEFR level in under 5 minutes free, no card required.
Take the Free Level TestSources: Council of Europe – CEFR · Cambridge English – CEFR
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