Starting 7th August 2025, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) will introduce PTE Two New Speaking Tasks—a major update that will make the exam more reflective of real-life English skills. These new tasks are designed to evaluate how well you can handle everyday situations in English, whether you're discussing a topic in class, solving a problem at work, or navigating a casual conversation. If your exam is after this date, it’s essential to be prepared for these changes so you can tackle them confidently!

💡 Why Pearson Introduced These New Speaking Tasks

Think about the last time you had to use English in a real-world situation. Maybe you helped a customer with a complaint, explained an idea during a meeting, or made small talk with a colleague. The PTE Two New Speaking Tasks aim to test your ability to perform in these kinds of everyday scenarios. Pearson recognizes that true English proficiency is more than memorizing phrases; it’s about how you think on your feet, process spoken English, and express yourself clearly. This shift ensures the test aligns with how we actually use English in the real world—whether at work, in class, or during casual conversations.

These updates will make the PTE more practical and relevant for those planning to study, work, or live in English-speaking countries.

🔄 What’s New in the Speaking Section?

🆕 New Tasks Starting August 2025:

1. Summarize Group Discussion
   
   

2. Respond to a Situation
   
   

These new tasks focus on assessing your ability to understand and respond to real-life situations. Whether it's an academic discussion or a work-related issue, the goal is to see how well you can think on your feet and speak naturally. Unlike the older format, which emphasized repeating sentences or reading aloud, the focus is now on functional communication skills—how you organize your thoughts and express them clearly.

🎯 Key Changes:

• No more memorized responses—think on your feet and speak clearly.
  
  

• AI and human raters will work together for more accurate results.
  
  

• The test now emphasizes real-life, functional communication, rather than scripted answers.
  
  

🗣️ Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion

📌 What You’ll Be Doing
For this task, you’ll listen to a 2-3 minute group discussion where multiple speakers express different viewpoints. You’ll then need to summarize the main ideas in a clear, neutral manner without adding any personal opinions.

⚙️ How It Works:

• Multiple speakers will present varying viewpoints.
  
  

• You’ll have 10 seconds to prepare.
  
  

• You’ll speak for about 2 minutes, summarizing the discussion.
  
  

🧠 What You’ll Be Tested On:

• Your ability to identify key ideas and supporting details.
  
  

• Keeping your summary neutral—no opinions or biases allowed!
  
  

• Structuring your summary logically and clearly.
  
  

✅ Preparation Tips:

• Before listening: Get ready to take notes on who said what.
  
  

• During the discussion: Focus on the main points and which speaker says what.
  
  

• When speaking: Begin with the main topic, summarize each speaker’s view, and end with a brief conclusion.
  
  

🔥 Practice Tips:

• Watch debates or panel discussions to familiarize yourself with group dynamics.
  
  

• Practice summarizing what you hear in 60-70 words.
  
  

• Work on speaking fluently with minimal pauses for smoother delivery.
  
  

🎙️ Task 2: Respond to a Situation

📌 What It Looks Like
For this task, you’ll be given a real-world scenario, such as a customer service issue or a workplace request. You’ll have 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to respond. The goal is to respond naturally, politely, and clearly, just as you would in an everyday conversation.

🧠 What You’ll Be Tested On:

• Your ability to interpret the situation quickly.
  
  

• Speaking with clarity, politeness, and relevance.
  
  

• Maintaining fluency under time pressure.
  
  

✅ Tips for a Great Response:

• Identify the issue or request immediately.
  
  

• Respond with 1-2 short, clear sentences.
  
  

• End with a polite conclusion, offering a solution or the next step.
  
  

💬 Example Response:
"I understand your concern. I’ll check with the team and get back to you as soon as I have more information."

🧪 Practice Scenarios:

• A customer complains about a delayed order.
  
  

• A colleague asks for help with a task.
  
  

• A stranger asks for directions.
  
  

🆚 How This Differs from the Old Format

In the past, the Speaking section was more focused on repetition and reading aloud to test pronunciation. While helpful, this didn't truly reflect how we use English in real life. With the introduction of the PTE Two New Speaking Tasks, the test now focuses on real-world, functional communication skills. The goal is to assess how well you can respond to group discussions and everyday situations, not just memorized phrases.

Key Differences:

• Less focus on memorized phrases, more on spontaneous speaking.
  
  

• A stronger emphasis on fluency and real-world preparedness, rather than scripted responses.
  
  

• Testing your ability to handle everyday interactions, all under time pressure.
  
  

🎯 Why These Updates Matter

These updates are a big deal for anyone planning to study, work, or live in an English-speaking environment. Whether you’re in a classroom, at a meeting, or just having a casual conversation, you’ll need to summarize discussions and respond to situations quickly and clearly. The PTE Two New Speaking Tasks aim to test these real-world skills in a way that reflects the English you’ll actually use.

🧩 How to Prepare

👂 Practice Active Listening

• Listen to TED Talks, podcasts, or group discussions to practice identifying main points.
  
  

• Focus on how conversations flow, and pay attention to tone and structure.
  
  

🗣️ Boost Your Speaking Confidence

• Use PTE mock tasks or speaking apps to practice responding to real-life situations.
  
  

• Practice thinking in English throughout your day—whether chatting with friends or narrating your thoughts.
  
  

• Record yourself responding to practice prompts and review your delivery.
  
  

⏳ Stay Calm Under Time Pressure

• Simulate the test environment by giving yourself 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to respond.
  
  

• Work on answering naturally without long pauses.
  
  

• Record and review your responses to ensure clarity and fluency.
  
  

🗣️ Helpful Phrases for Both Tasks

🔑 For Responding to a Situation:

• "I completely understand your concern..."
  
  

• "Let me take a look at that for you..."
  
  

• "I’ll get back to you shortly..."
  
  

📚 For Summarizing Discussions:

• "The discussion focused on the following points..."
  
  

• "One speaker mentioned that..."
  
  

• "In conclusion, the group agreed that..."
  
  

📌 Final Takeaway on PTE August 2025 Speaking Update

The August 2025 PTE Speaking update is a significant shift that moves away from rote memorization toward real-world, functional communication. By introducing the PTE Two New Speaking Tasks, Pearson is making sure the test not only measures fluency but also how well you can handle real-life interactions in English-speaking environments.