Master the New PTE 2025 Speaking Tasks with These Expert Tips
The PTE Academic exam is undergoing a significant update starting August 7th, 2025, and this includes some big changes to the Speaking section. With the introduction of two new tasks, the exam will require you to showcase real-time communication skills rather than just relying on memorized responses. That’s where the PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 come in. These expert strategies are designed to help you prepare for the new task types and ensure you feel confident, no matter what comes your way. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the changes, provide actionable tips, and share how to tackle each task effectively.
🔄 Why Did Pearson Update the Speaking Tasks?
Pearson’s goal behind these changes is simple: make the exam reflect real-life communication better. Instead of just repeating scripted answers, you’ll now need to:
Listen actively
Summarize key information
Respond appropriately in a variety of situations
Organize your thoughts clearly and speak naturally
This shift is meant to mirror everyday conversations—whether you’re in a meeting, answering a customer’s question, or engaging in a classroom discussion. The aim is to test your ability to think and communicate on your feet, just like you would in the real world.
🆕 What’s New in the 2025 PTE Speaking Section?
Two new tasks have been added to the Speaking section:
Summarize Group Discussion
Respond to a Situation
Let’s break down each task and see how you can ace them with the right preparation and approach.
🗣️ Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion
What You’ll Do:
Listen to a 2–3 minute conversation with multiple speakers
Identify the key points and perspectives shared
Summarize these viewpoints in a neutral, formal tone, within about 2 minutes
PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 for This Task:
Quick Note-Taking: Use symbols or abbreviations to capture key ideas quickly.
Pay Attention to Different Viewpoints: Try to understand what each speaker is contributing to the conversation.
Start Strong: Begin with something like, “The discussion focused on…” to structure your response clearly.
Include Contrasting Opinions: Mention at least two different perspectives to show the full range of views.
Keep It Neutral and Formal: Avoid using personal opinions or casual language. Stick to a neutral, formal tone.
Use Smooth Transitions: Words like “however,” “in contrast,” and “moreover” will help you connect ideas naturally.
🎤 Task 2: Respond to a Situation
What You’ll Do:
Listen to a 20–30 second real-life situation (like a workplace issue or customer concern)
Read the prompt that appears after the audio
Respond in 40 seconds, as if you were directly involved in the situation
PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 for This Task:
Acknowledge the Situation: Start by saying something like, “I understand your concern…” or “Thank you for letting me know…”
Provide a Clear Solution: Be direct in your response and suggest a simple solution.
Stay Focused: Stick to one main idea or solution to avoid overcomplicating your answer.
End with Positivity: Conclude by saying something like, “Please feel free to reach out if you need more assistance.”
Be Conversational but Professional: Keep your tone friendly, but avoid sounding too casual or rehearsed.
🎯 Why Are These New Tasks Challenging?
Time Pressure: You’ll only have a few seconds to prepare and respond.
Context Sensitivity: Each situation requires a response that fits the tone and purpose of the scenario.
No Second Chances: Once you’ve given your response, that’s it. You only get one attempt per task.
Real-Life Complexity: The content is unpredictable, requiring quick thinking and adaptability.
But don’t worry—these challenges are all part of the process, and with the right strategies, you’ll be well-prepared!
✅ How to Prepare Effectively for the New Tasks
Practice Active Listening:
Listen to podcasts, interviews, or panel discussions to get used to hearing different viewpoints.
Pause the audio after each speaker to repeat what they said out loud—this helps reinforce key points.
Train yourself to focus on extracting important information quickly.
Improve Your Note-Taking:
Use shorthand, such as “+” for agreement, “-” for disagreement, and “→” for conclusions.
Write down only keywords or short phrases, not complete sentences.
Try summarizing podcasts or TED Talks in just a few words.
Simulate Real-Life Speaking Scenarios:
Create random real-life situations (e.g., solving a problem at work or handling a customer complaint) and practice responding out loud.
Time yourself—take 10 seconds to plan your response, then 40 seconds to speak.
Record your answers and listen to them to evaluate your tone, structure, and fluency.
Learn Useful Phrases for Different Contexts:
Workplace: “Let me escalate this issue to the right department.”
Academic: “The speaker emphasized the importance of…”
Social: “I see where you’re coming from, and I think that’s a great point.”
📚 Useful Phrases to Remember
For Summarizing Group Discussions:
“The discussion revolved around…”
“One participant raised the point that…”
“Another speaker disagreed, arguing that…”
“In conclusion, the group had mixed views on…”
For Responding to Situations:
“I’ll look into that right away.”
“Let me check on that for you.”
“Thanks for bringing that to my attention.”
“Would you like me to suggest another option?”
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Speaking too fast because you’re nervous—take a deep breath and speak at a natural pace.
Going off-topic or adding your own personal opinions—stay focused on answering the question.
Overusing filler words like “um,” “like,” or “you know”—practice speaking smoothly without these distractions.
Ignoring the tone—remember that some situations need a formal response, while others might require a more casual approach.
📌 Test Format Recap
Summarize Group Discussion:
Audio: 2–3 minutes
Prep Time: 10 seconds
Speaking Time: ~2 minutes
Goal: Summarize multiple viewpoints using formal and neutral language.
Respond to a Situation:
Audio: 20–30 seconds
Prep Time: 10 seconds
Speaking Time: 40 seconds
Goal: Respond naturally and professionally to a real-world situation.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 are your go-to guide for mastering the new speaking tasks. By practicing active listening, developing quick note-taking skills, and staying calm under pressure, you can approach the exam confidently and perform at your best. Remember, it’s all about natural, real-world communication—so the more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become.
Start preparing today, and soon you’ll be tackling these new tasks like a pro. You’ve got this!