PTE Speaking Practice: Detailed Guide with tips and strategies

Bhargavee Sisodia

16 Nov 2024

Introduction: 

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is a popular computer-based language test for people who don’t speak English as their first language and want to study or work in English-speaking countries. 

The exam has three main sections: speaking and writing, reading and listening. These sections test different skills like vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and comprehension. One key part of the exam is the speaking section, which evaluates how well you can communicate in English.

Keep reading to learn more about the speaking section and get tips on how to prepare for it. 

Understanding the PTE Speaking Section:

There are various tasks in the speaking section which evaluate basically your communication skills. 

Here are the key tasks you will encounter:

In the speaking tasks, you need to speak into a microphone to give your answers. You’ll hear a short tone when the recording starts, and you should organize your thoughts and start speaking.

 Your speaking scores will be evaluated by AI based on the following: 

• Speaking clearly
• Reading aloud naturally 
• Creating a logical oral presentation
• Speaking with a time limit
• Good grammar and fluent speech
• Speaking with correct intonation, stress and pronunciation to support your opinion. 

PTE Academic accepts various regional and national English accents as long as they are easy for most native speakers to understand. 

PTE Speaking Score Chart:

Tips and Strategies for Each Task:

1. Read Aloud

Tip: Practice reading various texts aloud to improve your fluency and pronunciation. 

Strategy: 

• Clarity and Speed: Focus on speaking clearly and at a moderate pace. 
• Intonation and Stress: Use proper intonation and stress to convey meaning. Speak like you are talking with the computer so it will automatically add the flow to the speaking. 
• Punctuation: It is very important to pay attention to punctuation marks as they will guide your pauses and intonation. Without considering punctuation, the speaking will look robotic which will cut down the marks.

Practice: 
Now, set the timer for 40 seconds, first practice then read the below paragraph aloud. 

“Minerals are important for your body to stay healthy. Your body uses minerals for many different jobs. Including keeping your muscles, heart and brain working properly. Minerals are also important for making enzymes and hormones. Most get the amount of minerals they need by eating a wide variety of foods. If the intake is not enough, doctors may recommend a mineral supplement.”

2. Repeat Sentence:

Tip: Improve your listening skills and short-term memory by practicing with different sentences. 

Strategy: 

• Active Listening: Listen carefully and try to understand the context with visualization. 
• Immediate Repetition: Repeat the sentence immediately after hearing it to retain accuracy. 
• Practice with Audio: Use audio resources to practice sentence accurately. 

Practice: 

Now, read the sentences below out loud and pay attention to your pronunciation. Then, try to remember the same sentence with your eyes closed. This exercise will greatly improve your repeat sentence skills in the beginning. 

1. The medical center is located near the supermarket on North Street. 
2. It is of the utmost importance that you follow the ethical guidelines. 
3. Knives and forks should be placed next to the spoon on the edge of the table. 
4. A lot of agricultural workers came to the East End to look for alternative work. 
5. Conferences are always scheduled on the third Wednesday of the month.  

3. Describe Image:

Tip: Get familiar with different types of images such as graphs, charts, maps, and pictures. 

Strategy:

• Structure: Start with a general overview, then describe key details. 
• Keywords: Remember you have only 40 seconds so focus on important elements and trends in the image.
• Practice: Describe images from textbooks or online resources to build confidence. 

Practice: 

Now, look at this example of a bar graph below, and then try practicing with the second one on your own. 

Answer:  The bar graph shows the number of students’ birthdays by month. The vertical axis represents the number of students, ranging from 0 to 12, and the horizontal axis lists the months from January to December. June has the highest number of birthdays, with 10 students, while August has the fewest, with only 1 student. Other notable months include May and October with 8 students each, and September with 7 students. The graph provides a clear overview of the distribution of student’s birthdays throughout the year. 

Try this bar graph on your own. 

4. Re-tell Lecture: 

Tip: develop your note-taking skills to capture the main points of the lecture. 

Strategy: 

• Key Points: Focus on keywords and main ideas rather than full sentences. 
• Organize Your Summary: Use your notes to structure a coherent summary. 
• Practice with Lectures: Use online lectures or educational videos for practice.  

Practice: 

Now, read this paragraph and take note of the important points. In the final exam, you will need to listen to audio, but for now, you can practice by reading. If you can identify key points and structure the lecture properly while reading, you will be able to do the same when listening to audio. 

“Today, we’re going to discuss a critical issue that affects us all: deforestation and its broader implications for our environment. Deforestation, the clearing of forests for agriculture, urbanization, or logging, is not just an issue for the government to tackle- it’s a responsibility that each and every one of us shares. Forests are not just collections of trees; they are intricate ecosystems that support biodiversity and play a crucial role in regulating our climate. When trees are cut down, habitats are destroyed, species lose their homes, and the delicate balance of nature is disrupted. Moreover, deforestation contributes significantly to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, further exacerbating global warming. It’s essential to recognize that while governments play a vital role in creating and enforcing policies to protect forests, individuals also have a significant part to play.”

5. Answer Short Question: 

Tip: Enhance your general knowledge and vocabulary through regular reading and listening.

Strategy:

• Brief and Accurate: Keep your answer short and to the point.
• Common Questions: Practice with common questions to build familiarity. 
• Listening Skills: Pay close attention to the question to ensure accurate answers. 

Practice: 

Now, read these below given answer short questions to have general idea regarding the types of questions asked in the exam:

1. Which continent is CAnada located in? - North America
2. Where can we find the footnote on a page? - Bottom
3. Where does the pilot sit in an airplane? - Cockpit
4. What do we call if we say brothers and sisters in the same way? - siblings
5. What do we call a private teacher who gives you lectures after school hours? - Tutor 

General Tips for PTE Speaking Practice:

1. Improve Pronunciation: Work on your pronunciation by listening to native speakers and practicing difficult sounds.
2. Enhance Fluency: Practice speaking English daily to improve your fluency and confidence. 
3. Use Online Resources: Utilize PTE practice materials and take mock tests to simulate the test environment. 
4. Seek Feedback: Get feedback from teachers, tutors, friends or language exchange partners to identify and correct mistakes. 
5. Stay Calm and Focused: Manage test anxiety by practising relaxation techniques and staying focused during the test. 

Conclusion:

Excelling in the PTE speaking section requires consistent practice, effective strategies, and a positive mindset. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can enhance your speaking skills and achieve a high score. Remember, the practice creates perfection, so keep practising and stay determined. Good luck with your PTE speaking practice! And keep connected with D Vivid Consultant!