PTE Re-tell Lecture | Strategies & Templates

PTE Re-tell Lecture

Re-tell Lecture tests your ability to listen to an academic excerpt and summarize it in your own words. It is a high-scoring task that impacts both your Speaking and Listening scores.

1. The Task Mechanics

You will hear an audio clip (60–90 seconds). You then have 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to summarize what you heard.

Note-taking: Use the erasable booklet to write down 8–10 key phrases or nouns during the audio.
Preparation: Use the 10-second gap to organize your keywords into the template below.
Recording: Speak for roughly 30–35 seconds. Focus on a steady, natural pace.

2. The "Fluency First" Template

The AI is looking for keywords embedded in a fluent structure. Use this template to avoid pauses:

"The speaker was discussing [Main Topic]. Firstly, he/she mentioned [Keyword 1] and its importance in [Keyword 2]. In addition, the lecture highlighted the significance of [Keyword 3], which relates to [Keyword 4]. Furthermore, we can see from the information that [Keyword 5] and [Keyword 6] were also key points. In conclusion, the lecture provides useful insights into [Main Topic]."

Practice applying this with Re-tell Lecture Practice Sets.

3. Effective Note-Taking Strategy

Don't try to write full sentences. You will lose track of the audio.

Focus on Nouns: Capture names, dates, numbers, and technical terms.
Vertical Writing: Write your keywords in a column. This makes it easier to read them off while speaking.
Ignore Grammar: Your notes don't need to be grammatically correct; your spoken response does.

4. Advanced Training Resources

Module Practice

Strategy & Tips

5. What's Next?

After Re-tell Lecture, you move to the final speaking task: Answer Short Question. To see the full sequence of the exam, check our PTE Test Format guide.

Ready for the Writing section? Start with PTE Essay Writing.