PTE Re-tell Lecture and Template
PTE Re-tell Lecture
The Re-tell Lecture task in the PTE Academic assesses your ability to listen to a short academic lecture and then summarize it concisely. Here are some tips to help you excel in this section:
- Active Listening:
- Focus: Pay close attention to the entire lecture, not just individual words.
- Key Points: Identify the main points and supporting details.
- Note-Taking: Take concise notes using keywords, abbreviations, and symbols.
- Focus on:
- Topic
- Main ideas
- Supporting arguments
- Examples
- Conclusions
- Focus on:
- Note-Taking Strategies:
- Mind Mapping: Create a visual representation of the key concepts and their relationships.
- Bullet Points: Use bullet points to list main ideas and supporting details.
- Abbreviations: Use abbreviations for common words and phrases.
- Symbols: Use symbols to represent different types of information (e.g., arrows for cause and effect).
- Summarization Techniques:
- Paraphrase: Use your own words to rephrase the main ideas.
- Conciseness: Keep your summary brief and to the point.
- Structure: Organize your summary logically, starting with the main topic and then covering the key points.
- Practice and Feedback:
- Practice Regularly: Practice with sample lectures and record yourself to identify areas for improvement.
- Seek Feedback: Get feedback from a native English speaker or an experienced PTE tutor.
- Time Management:
- Be Prepared: Be ready to speak immediately after the lecture ends.
- Stay Calm: Maintain a calm and focused demeanor throughout the task.
- Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Memorizing: Avoid memorizing the lecture verbatim. Focus on understanding and summarizing the key ideas.
- Over-Summarizing: Don’t try to include every detail. Focus on the most important information.
- Panicking: If you miss a part of the lecture, don’t panic. Do your best to summarize what you did understand.
Example Note-Taking Format:
- Topic: [Briefly state the topic of the lecture]
- Main Idea 1: [Keyword/phrase] – [Supporting detail 1] – [Supporting detail 2]
- Main Idea 2: [Keyword/phrase] – [Supporting detail 1] – [Supporting detail 2]
- Conclusion: [Summarize the main findings or conclusions of the lecture]
By following these tips and practicing consistently, you can significantly improve your performance in the PTE Re-tell Lecture task and increase your overall score.
PTE Retell Lecture Template
While there isn’t one magic template guaranteed to ace the PTE Retell Lecture, a structured approach is key. Here’s a breakdown of a highly effective template, combining the best strategies:
I. Note-Taking During the Lecture (Crucial First Step)
- Keywords: Jot down key nouns, verbs, and dates. Don’t try to write full sentences.
- Connections: Briefly note relationships between ideas (e.g., “cause-effect,” “problem-solution”).
- Visuals: If there are graphs or images, note their main features.
II. The Retell Lecture Template (40 seconds)
This template focuses on clarity, conciseness, and hitting the key points:
-
Introduction (1-2 seconds):
- “The lecture was about…” (State the main topic in your own words. If you missed it, use a general phrase like “the lecture discussed a scientific/historical/social topic.”)
-
Body (30-35 seconds): Use 2-3 of these structures, depending on the lecture’s content:
- “Firstly, the speaker mentioned/discussed [key phrase 1/idea 1].”
- “Secondly, he/she explained/described [key phrase 2/idea 2].”
- “Moreover/Furthermore, the lecture highlighted [key phrase 3/idea 3].”
- “An example of this was [briefly explain the example].”
- “The speaker also pointed out that [additional key information].”
-
Conclusion (2-3 seconds):
- “In conclusion, the lecture provided information about [rephrase the main topic].”
- Or, if there was a clear outcome: “Ultimately, the lecture concluded that…”
III. Example Application
Let’s say your notes from a lecture on the water cycle look like this:
- Evaporation – Sun heats water – Vapor
- Condensation – Vapor cools – Clouds
- Precipitation – Clouds heavy – Rain/Snow
Using the template:
- “The lecture was about the water cycle.”
- “Firstly, the speaker mentioned evaporation, which is when the sun heats water and turns it into vapor.”
- “Secondly, he explained condensation, where the vapor cools and forms clouds.”
- “Finally, the lecture described precipitation, which occurs when the clouds become heavy and release rain or snow.”
- “In conclusion, the lecture provided information about the different stages of the water cycle.”
IV. Key Tips for Success
- Keywords Over Sentences: Focus on recalling and using keywords from your notes. Don’t worry about perfect grammar if it compromises fluency.
- Fluency is Paramount: Speak smoothly and at a moderate pace. Avoid long pauses or “umms” and “ahs.”
- Pronunciation Matters: Clear pronunciation is essential for good scoring.
- Stay Within the Time: Practice with a timer to ensure you can deliver your retell within 40 seconds.
- Don’t Panic if You Miss a Point: Focus on what you did understand and keep speaking fluently.
- Practice Regularly: The more you practice with different lectures, the more comfortable you’ll become with this format.
V. What to Avoid
- Repeating the Lecture Verbatim: This shows poor comprehension. Use your own words.
- Speaking Too Fast or Too Slowly: Aim for a natural conversational pace.
- Long Pauses: This can trigger the microphone to stop recording.
- Focusing on Minor Details: Prioritize the main points and supporting ideas.
By using this template and practicing consistently, you can significantly improve your performance on the PTE Retell Lecture task. Remember, the key is to understand the main ideas, use keywords effectively, and speak fluently within the given time.