PTE RE-TELL LECTURE TIPS
The Re-tell Lecture task in the PTE Academic Speaking section assesses your ability to understand, summarize, and present spoken academic information. It is one of the more challenging tasks, as it requires active listening, note-taking, organizing your thoughts, and delivering a clear summary—all within a limited timeframe.
Overview of the Task
– You will hear a lecture or watch a short video (about 60–90 seconds long).
– You have 10 seconds after the lecture ends to prepare.
– You must speak for 30–40 seconds summarizing the main points.
– Your response is scored on Content, Pronunciation, and Oral Fluency.
1. Master Active Listening
Good listening is the foundation of this task. You should focus on:
– Main idea of the lecture.
– Key points, including any data, examples, or comparisons.
– The tone and intention of the speaker (e.g., explaining, contrasting, persuading).
Use headphones and listen to academic talks (TED Talks, university lectures) to train your ears for real PTE content.
PTE RE-TELL LECTURE TIPS
2. Develop Fast Note-Taking Skills
Taking notes helps you recall details and stay organized when speaking. Here’s how to take notes effectively:
– Write keywords only, not full sentences.
– Use symbols and abbreviations (e.g., “↑” for increase, “govt” for government).
– Note down:
> Main topic
> 2–3 supporting points
> Any examples or statistics
> Conclusion or implication (if any)
Practice with real audio clips: listen, take notes in 60 seconds, and summarize aloud.
PTE RE-TELL LECTURE TIPS
3. Use a Structured Template
Having a simple speaking structure can greatly improve fluency and content clarity. Here’s a basic but effective template you can modify:
Template:
“The lecture was about [main topic]. The speaker mentioned that [key point 1]. In addition, [key point 2]. The lecturer also pointed out that [example/statistics/detail]. Overall, the lecture highlighted [summary/implication].”
Using a structure like this helps reduce hesitation and keeps your response organized.
PTE RE-TELL LECTURE TIPS
4. Focus on Content, Not Word-for-Word Recall
You are not expected to repeat the lecture word-for-word. Instead, focus on:
– Conveying the main idea and key points.
– Showing you understood the general purpose and supporting details.
– Paraphrasing wherever possible to demonstrate your language range.
Even if you miss a few words, it’s better to speak confidently and summarize clearly.
PTE RE-TELL LECTURE TIPS
5. Improve Pronunciation and Fluency
Both pronunciation and fluency have a major impact on your score. To improve:
– Read aloud daily (news articles, academic texts).
– Record yourself summarizing lectures and play it back.
– Avoid long pauses, hesitations, and filler words like “uh”, “um”.
– Practice intonation and stress—try to sound natural, not robotic.
Use language learning tools like Speechling or Eloquence to get feedback on your speaking.
PTE RE-TELL LECTURE TIPS
6. Practice Timing
You must speak for 30–40 seconds. Too short or too long can hurt your score. Use a timer during practice and aim for:
– A 5-second introduction
– 20–25 seconds for details
– 5–10 seconds for a conclusion
If you’re unsure what to say, restate key points confidently rather than going silent.
7. Avoid Common Mistakes
– Don’t stay silent or speak less than 30 seconds.
– Don’t try to repeat the lecture word-for-word.
– Don’t speak too fast or too slowly.
– Don’t ignore important points like examples or comparisons.
PTE RE-TELL LECTURE TIPS
Final Tips
– Practice with real academic lectures (YouTube, TED, podcasts).
– Get feedback from speaking apps or a tutor.
– Use your notes, but don’t read them like a script—speak naturally.
– Stay calm—if you miss a detail, focus on the next one.
With consistent practice, smart note-taking, and a reliable speaking structure, you can significantly improve your performance in the PTE Re-tell Lecture task.
PTE RE-TELL LECTURE TIPS
