Unlock Success in PTE Speaking 2025: Updated Tasks & Expert Tips You Need
If you’re preparing for the Pearson Test of English (PTE), you’ll need to pay extra attention to the PTE Academic New Speaking Tips—especially with the exciting changes coming in 2025. Starting on 7th August 2025, the test will introduce new speaking tasks that reflect real-world situations more closely. The aim is to see how well you can communicate in natural, everyday English. In this guide, we’ll break down the new tasks and share practical tips to help you feel confident on test day.
🎯 Why Pearson Made Changes to the Speaking Section
Pearson’s update to the Speaking section is all about aligning the test with real-life communication. They want to see how well you can:
Listen actively and understand different perspectives.
Respond clearly and fluently to situations that mirror academic or professional settings.
Use English in a practical, effective way—just like you would in a university lecture, a team meeting, or during a casual conversation.
This shift means memorization takes a backseat, and communication skills take the front. Pearson wants to know how well you can apply your language skills in unpredictable, real-world contexts.
🆕 Overview of the Two New Speaking Tasks
In PTE 2025, you’ll encounter two new speaking tasks designed to assess your ability to speak naturally and clearly:
Summarize Group Discussion
Respond to a Situation
These tasks test not just your vocabulary but your ability to think on your feet and engage in conversations that could happen anywhere—whether in a classroom, workplace, or at a social gathering.
🗣️ Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion
What It Involves:
You’ll listen to a conversation between several speakers (about 2-3 minutes long), then have 10 seconds to prepare. After that, you’ll have 2 minutes to summarize the main points discussed.
PTE Academic New Speaking Tips for This Task:
Label the speakers mentally: Assign initials (Speaker A, Speaker B) to each participant to track their arguments and viewpoints.
Focus on key points: Identify the most important ideas discussed, especially any contrasts or agreements.
Start with a formal introduction: Open with something like, “The group discussed the following topic…” or “The main points raised in the discussion were…”
Stay objective: Avoid adding your own opinion—your goal is to summarize.
Conclude effectively: End with something simple, like, “In conclusion, the group agreed that…” or “To sum up, the main takeaway was…”
This task is about organizing the information logically, so aim for clarity and coherence.
🎤 Task 2: Respond to a Situation
What It Involves:
You’ll hear a brief scenario (20-30 seconds) and then read a prompt explaining your role. You’ll have 10 seconds to prepare, and then 40 seconds to respond.
PTE Academic New Speaking Tips for This Task:
Acknowledge the situation: Start by recognizing the issue at hand—“I understand your concern…” or “Thanks for sharing this…”
Be brief and polite: Your response should be clear but concise.
Offer a solution: Respond to the situation with a helpful, practical solution or suggestion.
End on a positive note: For example, “I’m happy to assist further…” or “Let me know if you need anything else…”
For this task, focus on sounding natural and helpful. Think of it like a casual conversation where you’re offering a solution.
🧠 What Makes These Tasks Different from Previous Formats
The new format in PTE 2025 introduces more realism and practicality into the Speaking section. Here’s how:
Real-life context: These tasks reflect everyday situations you’re likely to encounter in academic or professional environments.
Clear structure: Your responses need to be easy to follow—whether you’re summarizing or responding to a scenario.
Time management: You only have a few seconds to prepare, so your answers need to be concise and well-organized.
Active listening: You’ll need to listen closely and quickly process information before responding.
This format is less about memorizing phrases and more about applying language effectively in real-time.
📌 Task Format Recap (No Tables, Just Points)
Summarize Group Discussion
Listen: 2-3 minutes
Prep: 10 seconds
Speak: 2 minutes
Focus: Organize key viewpoints in a clear, logical structure.
Respond to a Situation
Listen: 20–30 seconds
Prep: 10 seconds
Speak: 40 seconds
Focus: Provide a clear and practical response to the situation.
📚 Best Practices for the New PTE Speaking Format
Practice Active Listening:
Listen to debates, podcasts, or discussions, and try summarizing what each speaker says. This will help you prepare for the Summarize Group Discussion task by honing your ability to capture the key points.
Train Your Quick Thinking:
Use flashcards with scenarios (e.g., dealing with a late delivery, giving advice in a conversation) and practice speaking for 40 seconds on each. Focus on organizing your thoughts quickly and responding effectively.
Use Speaking Models:
For Summarizing:
“The discussion focused on…”
“Speaker A expressed concern about…”
“To conclude, the group seemed to agree that…”
For Responding:
“I understand your point, and I’d suggest…”
“Thank you for bringing this up…”
“Please let me know if I can help further.”
Expand Your Vocabulary:
Academic: “The participants suggested that…”
Professional: “Would you like me to take action on this?”
Social: “I completely understand your concern…”
❌ Avoid These Mistakes
Speaking too fast without structure.
Offering your personal opinion in the Summarize Group Discussion task.
Using fillers like “uh,” “like,” or “um.”
Forgetting to stay polite and professional when responding to a situation.
Relying on memorized answers instead of thinking on your feet.
✅ Final Thoughts
The new Speaking section in PTE 2025 is an exciting change—it allows you to showcase your true communication skills in realistic situations. By focusing on clear structure, fluency, and the PTE Academic New Speaking Tips, you’ll be ready to handle any task that comes your way. Practice now to give yourself plenty of time to get comfortable with the new format. With preparation and confidence, you’ll do great on test day!
Source: Angel EduNext