How To Practice PTE Speaking Effectively For Your PTE Test

Speaking has long been a nightmare for thousands of students taking the PTE test.

The reason is that this section requires critical thinking and flexibility to make your speech smooth and to the point. The time pressure also adds a layer of difficulty to the part. 

So, how to practice PTE Speaking effectively for your PTE test? Below are 6 reliable tips to try!

7 Tips To Practice PTE Speaking Effectively

Tip 1. Familiarize Yourself With The Speaking Test Format

Before taking the PTE test, you should understand the purpose and what is included in the Speaking part. This section evaluates your communication skills, so the key is to convey your ideas effectively.

There will be 5 question types in the part, including Short Answer Questions, Retell Lectures, Describe Images, Repeating Sentences, and Read Aloud. Familiarizing yourself with each type will arm you with enough knowledge and confidence to ace the test.

Additionally, it’s recommended to discern the time frame and scoring of each question type. This way, you can allocate your time better. 

Tip 2. Improve Your Pronunciation And Intonation

Pronunciation and intonation play a key role in your total speaking score. Even with a pool of ideas, you will not receive high scores if you mispronounce words. Meanwhile, appropriate intonation emphasizes your emotions and altitudes, making your speech easier to understand.

To improve accuracy and clarity, start by practicing correct pronunciation using credible dictionaries like Cambridge or Oxford. 

It would be better if you used dictionaries with audio and imitated the pronunciation. Pay close attention to the stress, vowel sounds, and word endings.

Intonation is more difficult to master as there are no formal standards. Instead, this is a personal matter and can change based on the context. You can watch English films or videos to see how native speakers play with their intonation. 

Using a monotone will definitely hurt your score. You should know which words to emphasize, where to pause, and when to raise or lower your voice.

Also, don’t forget your speaking pace. It should be steady, neither too fast, which makes your speech hard to follow nor too slow, which affects your fluency.

Tip 3. Expand Your Vocabulary

Whether Speaking, Listening, Reading, or Writing, vocabulary sets the stage for further improvement. However, learning new words by heart is a tedious task that deters many students. So, how can you make it more engaging?

In fact, many teachers and coaches agree that reading is the best way to improve your vocabulary. Just grab your favorite books, documents, newspapers, or magazine articles and read them out loud. Whenever you encounter a new word, check it in a reliable dictionary and take note of its meaning.

This way, you can not only expand your vocabulary but also practice pronunciation at the same time. For those who don’t like reading, try playing vocabulary games or any way that makes you interested in learning.

Tip 4. Practice Speaking On Various Topics And Record Yourself

Vocabulary, pronunciation, and intonation aside, it’s time to learn how to develop your ideas for a new topic. Your content is just as important as your fluency in the PTE Speaking test. 

The only way to improve this skill is to practice speaking on different topics. Challenging yourself with various topics will sharpen your brain, helping it come up with relevant and valuable ideas during the test.

The PTE Speaking section encompasses diverse topics, such as education, technology, environment, social media, economy, healthcare, and so on. Therefore, it’s crucial to equip yourself with knowledge and vocabulary in various aspects.

When practicing, remember to record yourself to mimic the real test. Then, listen to your response carefully to identify areas for improvement. Pay attention to any errors and correct them next time. Repeat this self-evaluation process, and you will soon progress in your speaking.

If learning on your own dampens your motivation, find some friends to practice with you. Otherwise, you can talk to native speakers in the park or public areas. While practicing online with an app is feasible, it’s recommended to speak to real people to get used to different accents.

Tip 5. Structure Your Response Using Your Own Words

This tip works best for Describe Images questions. In this part, you will be given some key points from which you will develop more ideas. That’s why you need to structure your answer first to help you think more quickly. 

First, you should identify the topic and describe the provided information. Then, try to extract the meanings from those data points before coming to a conclusion. Mapping out a clear outline in your head enables you to use appropriate linking words and relevant vocabulary.

That said, it’s not advisable to apply the same old template that you learned from somewhere on the Internet. Try adding a personal touch to your description while sticking with the outlined structure. This way, you will definitely gain a high mark!

Tip 6. Learn To Manage Your Time And Anxiety

Anxiety may strike anyone even after taking the PTE exam multiple times. If you let worry invade your mind, your all-out effort and preparation will go down the drain. Try taking deep breaths before sitting the exam to stay calm.

Additionally, time is another enemy that you have to win. The Speaking & Writing section only takes from 54 to 67 minutes, meaning that you will be under time pressure.

In the Short Answer Questions part, you only have 10 seconds to read and answer each question. Such a limited time frame necessitates both quick reaction and correctness. That’s why we suggest practicing as regularly as possible.

Tip 7. Mock Tests And Coaching

The best way to get used to the time pressure and anxiety is to take mock tests. Each test will mimic the real format and time frame of the PTE examination. And there are many mock tests available on online platforms with AI-based scoring that you can try yourself. 

After taking the exam, you will receive detailed feedback so that you can correct your errors easily. PTE Magic offers three free mock tests after registration and unlimited times for paid membership. All the questions are based on real tests, arming you with more confidence on the exam day.

If you find it hard to study yourself, seek guidance from coaching sites. At PTE Magic, dedicated and qualified trainers are willing to help you with your PTE test. 

Taking online courses on this platform also grants you access to valuable PTE materials. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to clarify any wonders!

Conclusion

Learning how to practice PTE speaking effectively for your PTE test is the shortest way to achieve a high score.

The key here is to improve your pronunciation and intonation, expand your vocabulary, and practice speaking as much as possible. We hope that our 7 tips can help you gain more confidence when taking the examination!