# PTE Retell Lecture template

Retell the arc of the lecture, not its first 20 seconds. Content rewards the main points in a sensible order with the links between them. Note nouns and numbers while you listen, then speak through the four moves below.

Lecture up to about 90 seconds, 10 seconds to prepare, 40 seconds to speak

## The frame

### 1. Topic

Who spoke and what the lecture was about.

- The lecturer explained...
- The talk was about...
- In this lecture, the speaker discussed...

### 2. First main point

The first idea you noted, with one supporting detail.

- First, the speaker pointed out that...
- The lecture began by explaining that...
- One key idea was that...

### 3. How the next point connects

The second idea and how it relates to the first: cause, contrast or example.

- As a result,...
- However, the speaker also noted that...
- To illustrate this, the lecturer described...

### 4. Conclusion

Where the lecture ended up. This is often worth more than the opening.

- The lecturer concluded that...
- Finally, the speaker argued that...
- The main takeaway was that...

## What costs marks

- Retelling the opening in detail and never reaching the conclusion.
- Filler such as "the speaker talks about many things": it adds no content.
- Guessing exact numbers: describe the relationship instead ("about twice as many").

## Worked example

**Topic:** The lecturer gave three practical tips on using focus groups in research, which are groups of people brought together to share their opinions on something.

**First main point:** First, the speaker said the ideal size is about six or seven people, because bigger groups break into side conversations and smaller ones may not give enough range of views.

**How the next point connects:** Even with the right size, though, a group needs a moderator, who makes sure everyone takes part, stops anyone from dominating and keeps the discussion on track.

**Conclusion:** Finally, the lecturer recommended using simple materials such as pictures, diagrams or graphs to start the discussion and help the group understand the context.

## Questions

**What should I note during the lecture?**

Only nouns and numbers: the topic, two or three key terms and the conclusion. Writing full sentences makes you miss what comes next.

**Is it bad to pause while I speak?**

Short pauses are fine. Long silences and restarts lower oral fluency, and 3 seconds of silence ends the recording.

[Practise Re-tell Lecture](https://testmigo.com/pte/practice/re-tell-lecture)