When families prepare for university entrance exams, most of the work goes into grammar, vocabulary, and essay writing. These skills matter. But for tests like the PTE Academic, speaking is a scored section — and it is often where students drop the most marks.
The good news is that speaking can improve with regular practice, and parents can support that practice at home even without being fluent English speakers themselves.
What Examiners Actually Listen For
Many students think examiners want a British or American accent. They do not. What they want is clarity — speech that a listener can follow without effort. They also listen for fluency, which means speaking at a steady pace without long pauses or filler words like "um" and "er". And they listen for content: does the student answer the question directly, with ideas that connect logically?
Pronunciation, fluency, and content. These three things, not accent, decide a speaking score.
Three Habits to Build at Home
Read aloud every day
Even ten minutes of reading a short text out loud helps the mouth get used to English sounds and rhythms. A news article, a short story, or a page from a school textbook all work. The goal is not speed — it is clear, steady speech. Parents can listen and simply ask, "Did I understand every sentence?"
Answer in full sentences
At mealtimes or during short trips, ask your child a question in English and encourage them to answer in a complete sentence. Not just "good" but "My day was good because I finished my project." This builds the habit of organising thoughts quickly, which is exactly what exam speaking tasks require.
Listen and retell
Choose a short audio clip — a news report, a simple podcast, or an educational video — and have your child listen once, then retell what they heard in their own words. This trains both listening and speaking together, and it builds the vocabulary students need to express ideas under time pressure.
Why Practising at Home Is Not Enough on Its Own
Home habits build confidence, but students also need to speak in front of someone who can give clear, structured feedback. An experienced teacher can identify specific pronunciation patterns to work on, help with pacing, and practise the exact question types used in the exam.
If your child is preparing for a university entrance exam, our English classes and exam preparation programme include focused speaking practice alongside reading, writing, and listening. Learn more about our English classes at SSELC.