Speaking: Retell Lecture: Tips and Strategies
This question of the Speaking section requires you to re-tell a lecture that you hear. An audio is played automatically for 60-90 seconds which may be accompanied by an image. Then after a gap of 10 seconds, you will hear a tone. You have to start speaking into the microphone immediately after the tone as it marks the beginning of the recording. You have 40 seconds to respond by using your own words to re-tell the lecture. After 40 seconds the ‘Recoding’ bar changes to ‘Completed’.
Understand Retell Lecture
Prompt length: Up to 90 seconds
Preparation time: 10 seconds to prepare
Speaking time: 40 seconds to record your answer
Skills assessed: Listening and Speaking
IMPORTANT: If you remain silent for longer than 3 seconds, the recording will stop.
Scoring: Your score for this question is based on three factors:
- 1. Content: You need to be accurate and thorough in your description of the situation, characters, aspects, actions, and developments. Make sure to include all the main points and conclusions.
- 2. Oral fluency:Ensure that you describe the content in a natural flow without any hesitation. A constant. The natural rate of speech is given a better credit.
- 3. Pronunciation: Make sure that the words you speak are understandable to a regular speaker.
No credit is given for no response or an irrelevant response.
Tips and strategies for Retell Lecture
- 1. Take time to look at the image: The lecture starts after 3 seconds. Use this time to see the image and get an idea about the topic. Also, brainstorm about the vocabulary that can be used in the image’s context.
- 2. Write notes: As you hear the lecture, start writing the key points to help you frame your response. Use arrows, abbreviations, or symbols to help you write faster.
- 3. Use your gap time effectively: The gap of 10 seconds between the lecture and recording should be used to prepare a framework for the response.
- 4. Be confident: You have only 40 seconds to record your response. Be confident when you speak and include all the main points. Do not stop if you make any mistake. A gap of more than 3 seconds may result in stopping the recording.
- 5. Practice: Practicing this question type will help you in developing your strategies and using acronyms and symbols. Make sure to add an introduction and conclusion for better credit.
For more tips and strategies, you can register with SGES Education.
