Master the New PTE 2025 Speaking Tasks with These Expert Tips

The PTE Academic exam is getting a major update starting August 7th, 2025, and the Speaking section is at the heart of these changes. With the addition of two new speaking tasks, the exam will now test your ability to communicate naturally and spontaneously in real-world situations. This means you’ll need to move beyond memorized responses and focus on active listening, clear structure, and confident speaking. That’s where the PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 come into play. These tips will help you prepare for the new tasks, improve your speaking skills, and boost your performance on exam day. Let’s break it down so you can ace the test with confidence!🔄 Why Did Pearson Update the Speaking Tasks?Pearson’s goal with these updates is to make the exam feel more like real-life communication. Instead of relying on scripted answers, the new tasks test your ability to:

• Actively listen and identify key points
  
  
• Summarize and communicate ideas clearly
  
  
• Respond appropriately and politely in a variety of situations
  
  
• Organize your thoughts and speak naturally, just like in day-to-day conversations
  
  

This shift reflects how we interact in the real world—whether it's in a meeting, classroom, or casual social setting—and ensures the exam is a better measure of your language skills.🆕 What’s New in the 2025 PTE Speaking Section?Two new speaking tasks are now part of the exam:

• Summarize Group Discussion
  
  
• Respond to a Situation
  
  

Both tasks aim to evaluate how well you can listen, summarize, and respond naturally to different real-world scenarios. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need to do for each one and how you can prepare effectively.🗣️ Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion
 What You’ll Do:

• Listen to a 2–3 minute group discussion with multiple speakers
  
  
• Identify the key points and perspectives
  
  
• Summarize the conversation in a neutral, formal tone in about 2 minutes
  
  

PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 for This Task:

• Take Fast Notes: Use abbreviations or symbols to capture the main ideas quickly.
  
  
• Focus on Different Viewpoints: Pay attention to each speaker’s opinion and viewpoint.
  
  
• Start Your Response Clearly: Begin with, “The discussion focused on…” to give your summary structure.
  
  
• Mention Contrasting Opinions: Include at least two different perspectives to show variety in the discussion.
  
  
• Keep It Neutral: Avoid adding your own personal opinion or informal language.
  
  
• Use Transition Words: Words like “however,” “on the other hand,” and “moreover” help connect ideas smoothly.
  
  

🎤 Task 2: Respond to a Situation
 What You’ll Do:

• Listen to a 20–30 second real-life scenario (such as a workplace issue or a customer query)
  
  
• Read the prompt that follows 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 First: Start by saying something like, “I understand your concern…” to show empathy.
  
  
• Give a Clear Solution: Provide a direct, practical response.
  
  
• Keep It Simple and Focused: Stick to one main solution or suggestion to avoid confusion.
  
  
• End with a Positive Note: Wrap up by saying, “Please let me know if I can assist further,” or a similar polite conclusion.
  
  
• Sound Natural and Professional: Avoid sounding rehearsed or robotic. Be conversational yet professional.
  
  

🎯 Why Are These New Tasks Challenging?

• Time Pressure: You only have a few seconds to prepare before speaking.
  
  
• Context Sensitivity: Your response must be appropriate for the specific tone and context of the scenario.
  
  
• One Shot: You don’t get a second chance for each task, so make your first response count!
  
  
• Real-Life Complexity: The content is unpredictable, so you need to think on your feet and adapt quickly.
  
  

But don’t worry! By following the right preparation strategies, you can handle these challenges and do your best.✅ How to Prepare Effectively for the New Tasks

1. Sharpen Your Listening Skills:
   
   
   • Listen to English podcasts, debates, or discussions to train your brain to catch key points.
     
     
   • Pause after each speaker to repeat their main ideas out loud—this helps reinforce what you’ve heard.
     
     
   • Focus on identifying the most important information in any given conversation.
     
     
2. Practice Efficient Note-Taking:
   
   
   • Use abbreviations, like “+” for agreement, “-” for disagreement, and “→” for conclusions.
     
     
   • Focus on keywords and short phrases—don’t try to write full sentences.
     
     
   • Practice with TED Talks or interviews, summarizing key points quickly and efficiently.
     
     
3. Simulate Real-Life Speaking:
   
   
   • Imagine scenarios you might face at work, school, or in daily life, and practice responding out loud.
     
     
   • Time yourself—10 seconds for planning your response, then 40 seconds to speak.
     
     
   • Record your responses and listen back to evaluate your fluency, tone, and structure.
     
     
4. Learn Phrases for Different Contexts:
   
   
   • Workplace: “I can escalate this issue if needed.”
     
     
   • Academic: “The speaker emphasized the importance of…”
     
     
   • Social: “I understand where you’re coming from, and here’s what I think…”
     
     

📚 Useful Phrases to RememberFor Summarizing Group Discussions:

• “The discussion focused on…”
  
  
• “One speaker mentioned…”
  
  
• “Another point raised was…”
  
  
• “In conclusion, the group had mixed opinions on…”
  
  

For Responding to Situations:

• “I’ll handle that for you right away.”
  
  
• “Let me check on that for you.”
  
  
• “Thanks for bringing that to my attention.”
  
  
• “Would you like me to offer an alternative?”
  
  

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Speaking too quickly out of nerves—take a deep breath and speak clearly at a natural pace.
  
  
• Going off-topic or adding irrelevant personal opinions—keep your response focused and on point.
  
  
• Overusing filler words like “um,” “like,” or “you know”—practice speaking clearly and fluently without these.
  
  
• Not adjusting your tone to match the situation—some situations require formality, while others might be more casual or friendly.
  
  

📌 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 ThoughtsThe PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 are designed to help you take full advantage of these new tasks. They focus on practical communication skills that will serve you well not just on the exam, but in everyday life. With consistent practice and the right strategies, you can approach the new speaking tasks confidently.