PTE Speaking Tips: Self-Improvement
In Part 1 of PTE Academic you will require many core English skills to pass. It is very important that you prepare and look at ways you can maximize your score.
We’ve put together some tips to help based on each question type.
Read Aloud
In the Read Aloud question type, you will be scored based on content, oral fluency and pronunciation.
As part of this question type, you will need to speak aloud and say all the words in the correct order.
Here are some tips to help maximize your chances of receiving points:
- Make sure you do not replace any words, leave any words out or add any. If you make a mistake and try to correct it, it will be counted as added words.
- Once prompted, you must speak into the microphone right away and read with a smooth, easy natural speed. Try not to speak too fast or too slow.
- Use English rhythm with chunking and sentence stress used correctly.
- Try not to hesitate or repeat words as you will lose points.
Repeat Sentence
The Repeat Sentence question type is scored based on the same elements as the Read Aloudquestion type: content, oral fluency and pronunciation.
Here are some tips to help gain points in this question type:
- Say all of the words in the exact same order. Do not rush.
- Do not use the Erasable Noteboard Booklet, keep the sentence in your head.
- It’s easier to keep the sentence in your mind if you understand the meaning. Try to understand the meaning.
- If unsure of a word the speaker used, say what you think you heard.
- Do not speak too fast or slow.
- Similar to read aloud, use English rhythm with chunking and sentence stress. You will also lose points in this question type if you hesitate, repeat words or stumble to start.
- Speak with the sounds of an English speaker and copy the intonation pattern of the speaker, but do not change your accent.
Describe Image
In the Describe Image question type, you will be scored based on content, oral fluency and pronunciation.
To be able to describe the image, you will need to understand it as it could be a graph, picture, map, chart or table. Always read the title and make sure you understand the parts that make up the image.
Some extra tips include:
- Use the Erasable Noteboard Booklet to take notes about the image, which you can use in your answer. For example, if the image is a graph, chart or table, is there a trend you can comment on? If it’s a map or picture, what are the important features?
- Include all aspects and elements of the image in your answer.
- Start with a general statement about the image then summarize the most important points.
- If there are words on the image you want to use but are unsure how to pronounce them, don’t worry, just say them how you think they should be said.
- Try using connector words to link the information you give. For example, use words such as: also, however, as or besides.
You can receive up to 5 points based on your content. In order to score above 1, you will need to include the relationships between parts of the image, possible developments and conclusions or implications of the information in the image.
Don’t forget to talk with a smooth, natural speed at all times during the speaking test.
In total, there are five speaking sections of Part 1: Speaking and Writing.
The last two parts of the speaking element of Part 1: Speaking and Writing, are Re-tell Lecture and Answer Short Question.
There are many core skills you will need to develop in order to complete the tasks. There are also ways that can maximize your potential to receive points.
Re-tell Lecture
In the Re-tell Lecture question type, you will be scored based on your oral fluency and pronunciation.
In this question type, there are many elements to consider. You will need to include all the important information that the speaker uses in the lecture or interview.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Before the recording starts, look at the image provided. Think about what the lecture might be about based on the image. You only have 3 seconds to do this. While listening to the recording, use the Erasable Noteboard Booklet to take notes of the main points.
- Avoid writing long sentences on the Erasable Noteboard Booklet, you will not have enough time.
- In the 10 seconds after the recording, organize your speech. You will then have 40 seconds to record your answer.
- If you can’t remember how to pronounce a word the speaker used, try to guess.
- Try starting with a general statement about the content, then summarize the most important parts.
- Use connector words such as therefore, because of this, as a consequence and given that.
For this question type, you need to cover the situation, characters, aspects, actions, and development heard in the recording.
To score above 1 point for content, make sure to include the relationships, possible developments, and conclusions or implications of the information you heard. Think critically and ask yourself what could happen next and why. Try including these in your notes to help you answer.
You should start talking about the possible developments and conclusions when you have about 8 seconds left.
For the speaking part of the test, avoid speaking too fast or too slow, using English rhythm with chunking and sentence stress.
Remember, don’t change your accent to sound like a regular speaker of English. However, do try to use vowel and consonant sounds that can be understood easily and copy the intonation patterns of the speaker.
Answer Short Question
In this question type, you will be scored based on your vocabulary only.
You will need to understand the question asked and give a clear, simple answer.
Some quick, easy ways to pick up points are:
- When recording your answer, give your answer using just one word, or a couple of words if needed. You will not lose points if you answer in a full sentence.
- Say your answer as clearly as possible with the correct pronunciation, including word stress.
- If you don’t know the answer, give yourself a second or two to think. If you cannot think of the answer, just click ‘next’ to hear the next question.
Source: https://pearsonpte.com