If you're preparing for the Pearson Test of English (PTE), the upcoming changes in the PTE Academic New Speaking Tips are something you need to know. Starting on 7th August 2025, there will be two brand-new speaking tasks that are designed to reflect real-world conversations and situations. This means the test will focus more on how well you can use English in natural settings—whether in university classes, work meetings, or everyday interactions. Let’s dive into the updated tasks and share some simple, practical tips to help you succeed in the new format.

🎯 Why Pearson Made Changes to the Speaking Section

Pearson is shifting the focus of the Speaking section to make it more relevant to real-life situations. The goal is to assess how effectively you can:

• Listen actively and understand different perspectives.
  
  

• Respond quickly and clearly in a variety of contexts.
  
  

• Communicate fluently and naturally in academic, professional, and casual environments.
  
  

This means that the new format is less about memorization and more about real communication—showing that you can speak effectively and respond appropriately when faced with different topics or scenarios.

🆕 Overview of the Two New Speaking Tasks

In PTE 2025, there will be two new tasks that test how you handle real-life conversations:

1. Summarize Group Discussion
   
   

2. Respond to a Situation
   
   

These tasks will test your ability to listen, summarize, and respond clearly and fluently in scenarios that you might face in a classroom, workplace, or social setting.

🗣️ Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion

What It Involves:

In this task, you’ll listen to a conversation between multiple speakers (around 2-3 minutes long). Afterward, you’ll have 10 seconds to prepare, and then you’ll speak for 2 minutes to summarize the main points discussed.

PTE Academic New Speaking Tips for This Task:

• Track the speakers: Mentally assign initials (Speaker A, Speaker B) to each speaker during the conversation. This will help you quickly identify different viewpoints.
  
  

• Identify key points: Focus on summarizing the major arguments or ideas. Look for agreements or contrasts in the conversation.
  
  

• Start with a formal tone: Open with a phrase like, “The group discussed…” or “The topic of the discussion was…”
  
  

• Stay objective: Your goal is to summarize, not to give your opinion.
  
  

• End with a clear conclusion: Wrap it up with a phrase like, “In conclusion, the group agreed that…” or “To summarize, the main takeaway was…”
  
  

This task is all about delivering a clear, well-organized summary, so keep your response focused and concise.

🎤 Task 2: Respond to a Situation

What It Involves:

For this task, you’ll listen to a short scenario (about 20-30 seconds long), then read a prompt explaining your role in the situation. After 10 seconds of preparation, you’ll have 40 seconds to respond.

PTE Academic New Speaking Tips for This Task:

• Acknowledge the situation: Start your response by recognizing the issue, e.g., “I understand your concern…” or “Thank you for sharing this information…”
  
  

• Be clear and concise: Your answer should be brief but effective. Don’t over-complicate your response.
  
  

• Offer a practical solution: Provide a simple, clear solution or suggestion based on the situation.
  
  

• End on a positive note: Close with something like, “Let me know if I can help further…” or “I’d be happy to assist in any way…”
  
  

This task is all about sounding natural and helpful, like you’re having a real conversation. Think of it like you’re speaking to someone who’s asked for your advice or assistance.

🧠 What Makes These Tasks Different from Previous Formats

The new PTE Speaking section brings a fresh approach with more real-life situations. Here’s what makes these tasks different:

• Real-world context: You’re being tested on your ability to handle authentic conversations and respond to various scenarios, whether academic, professional, or social.
  
  

• Clear structure: Your responses need to follow a logical, easy-to-understand flow.
  
  

• Time management: You’ll have only a few seconds to think and then need to deliver a concise, structured response.
  
  

• Active listening and quick thinking: You need to listen carefully, think fast, and speak clearly.
  
  

This shift means it’s less about memorized responses and more about applying your English in real-world contexts.

📌 Task Format Recap (No Tables, Just Points)

1. Summarize Group Discussion
   
   

• Listen: 2-3 minutes
  
  

• Prep: 10 seconds
  
  

• Speak: 2 minutes
  
  

• Focus: Summarize key points in a clear, structured manner.
  
  

2. Respond to a Situation
   
   

• Listen: 20-30 seconds
  
  

• Prep: 10 seconds
  
  

• Speak: 40 seconds
  
  

• Focus: Provide a clear, concise, and practical response.
  
  

📚 Best Practices for the New PTE Speaking Format

1. Practice Active Listening:
   
   

• Listen to group conversations or debates and try to summarize each speaker’s key points. Focus on capturing the main ideas rather than every detail. This will prepare you for the Summarize Group Discussion task.
  
  

2. Build Quick Response Skills:
   
   

• Practice responding to real-life scenarios in 40 seconds. For example, what would you say if someone was unhappy with a product? How would you help a colleague who’s confused? This will help you respond quickly and confidently.
  
  

3. Use Clear Speaking Models:
   
   

• For Summarizing:
  
  

• “The group discussed the following…”
  
  

• “Speaker A pointed out…”
  
  

• “In conclusion, the group agreed that…”
  
  

• For Responding:
  
  

• “I understand the issue, and I suggest…”
  
  

• “Thank you for letting me know…”
  
  

• “Let me know if I can assist further…”
  
  

4. Expand Your Vocabulary:
   
   

• Academic: “The participants emphasized that…”
  
  

• Professional: “Would you like me to take action on this?”
  
  

• Social: “I totally understand your concern…”
  
  

❌ Avoid These Mistakes

• Speaking too quickly or without clear organization.
  
  

• Offering your personal opinion in the Summarize Group Discussion task.
  
  

• Using too many filler words like “uh,” “like,” or “um.”
  
  

• Forgetting to maintain a polite, professional tone in the Respond to a Situation task.
  
  

• Trying to memorize answers instead of responding naturally to the situation.
  
  

✅ Final Thoughts

The new PTE Speaking section in 2025 is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate how well you can communicate in real-life situations. By focusing on clear structure, active listening, and the PTE Academic New Speaking Tips, you’ll be well-prepared to handle whatever the exam throws your way. Practice regularly to build your confidence, and you’ll feel ready for test day!

Source: Angel EduNext