Struggling with PTE speaking? Master pronunciation & intonation with these Perth-tested tips tailored for non-native speakers. Sound confident, score higher!

Let’s be honest: learning English is more than just memorizing grammar rules and vocabulary flashcards. For non-native speakers studying for the PTE Academic, one of the most difficult challenges is not writing essays or selecting the proper synonym—it seems genuine when speaking.

If you’re studying with pte coaching Perth, you’ve likely already realized how vital pronunciation and intonation are for scoring well, especially in the Speaking module. But what if you’re still unsure how to sound more like a fluent speaker and less like someone reading from a textbook?

Welcome to this useful, Perth-style guide on improving your pronunciation and intonation. Whether you’re sipping a flat white on Murray Street or practicing in your bedroom, these pointers can help you build confidence and sound like you belong in any English-speaking setting.

Why Pronunciation and Intonation Matter for PTE

The PTE Speaking portion is graded by artificial intelligence, not a human examiner. That implies not only what you say, but also how you express it. If the machine cannot understand your words owing to poor pronunciation or discern a natural rhythm in your voice, you may lose precious points.

Let’s break it down:

• Pronunciation affects clarity. Are you saying the words correctly? Can each syllable be identified?
• Intonation affects how natural you sound. Are you using the right pitch when asking questions or expressing emotion?

This is why pte coaching Perth programs now place a strong focus on speech delivery techniques—because even perfect grammar won’t help if your spoken English sounds flat, robotic, or unclear.

The Common Challenges Non-native Speakers Face

Before diving into the tips, let’s quickly identify some pronunciation and intonation struggles many learners face:

1. Monotone Speech – Speaking with no variation in tone makes it hard to convey meaning or emotion.

2. Over pronouncing Words – Trying too hard to be ‘correct’ can make you sound unnatural.

3. Missing Word Stress – English often stresses one syllable in a word. Misplacing it can confuse listeners (e.g., RECORD vs. reCORD).

4. Mother Tongue Interference – Your first language may influence how you pronounce English sounds.

But here’s the good news: all of these can be improved with targeted practice and awareness.

Top Perth Tips to Improve Pronunciation

Whether you’re walking through Kings Park or attending your next mock test, these practical techniques can help refine your pronunciation.

1. Listen like a Local

Begin by listening to how native speakers speak.  Watch Australian news, YouTube channels, or podcasts. Focus not on the meaning alone, but on how words are pronounced.

What to listen for:

The vowel sounds (e.g., cat vs. cut)

Consonant clarity (e.g., th in think)

Word endings (e.g., walking, not walkin’)

Repeat what you hear aloud—yes, even if it feels silly at first.

2. Record Yourself (And Be Brutally Honest)

Hearing oneself like others do is one of the best ways to get better at pronouncing words correctly. Record your responses to PTE instructions and listen to them again. Compare them to native recordings.

Ask yourself:

Am I stressing the right syllables?

Do my words run together or sound choppy?

Am I pausing naturally?

You’ll start catching habits you didn’t even know you had.

3. Break Words Down Phonetically

Instead of memorizing words visually, learn how they sound. Use apps like Forvo or Google Dictionary’s audio function to hear proper pronunciation.

For instance:

Entrepreneur = on- truh- pruh- Nur

Schedule = SHEH-jool (in British English) vs. SKED-jool (in American)

Understand these breakdowns, and you’ll pronounce them confidently during your test.

4. Master the Difficult Sounds

Every non-native group struggles with certain sounds:

Spanish speakers may have trouble with v vs. b

Hindi speakers might struggle with w vs. v

Mandarin speakers often mispronounce l and r

Identify your weak sounds and work on them daily. Repetition and muscle memory go a long way.

Top Perth Tips to Improve Intonation

Once you’ve got pronunciation under control, it’s time to focus on your tone. A flat voice can sound dull and robotic—something the PTE scoring AI picks up on instantly.

1. Understand Natural Sentence Melody

In English, pitch rises and falls depending on what you’re saying. Questions often arise at the end. Statements usually fall.

Try saying:

“Are you coming to the store?” (Notice the rise at the end.)

“I already bought some bread.” (Now, observe the fall.)

Practice reading sentences aloud while mimicking these rises and falls.

2. Emphasize Keywords

Native speakers don’t give equal weight to every word. They emphasize the important words and glide over the others.

Try this sentence:

“I bought a new jacket for the interview.”

Now try:

“I bought a new jacket for the interview.”

See how the emphasis changes the meaning slightly? This technique also boosts your speaking clarity in PTE tasks like “Describe Image” and “Retell Lecture.”

3. Use the “Chunking” Technique

Divide long sentences into smaller “chunks” or units. This helps control your breath and makes your intonation more natural.

Example:

Rather than: “The employment rate in five different countries from 2010 to 2020 is displayed in the chart.”

Say: “The employment rate in five different countries from 2010 to 2020 is displayed in the chart.”

This gives your speech rhythm and flow—two key ingredients for high scores.

PTE Tasks Where Pronunciation & Intonation Matter Most

Here are the speaking tasks where these two skills can make or break your score:

Read Aloud

Speak clearly, with proper phrasing and tone. Avoid sounding like a robot reading a shopping list.

Repeat Sentence

Listen carefully and mimic not just the words, but the tone and stress of the original speaker.

Describe Image & Retell Lecture

Use intonation to highlight changes, trends, or comparisons. Rise slightly when introducing new points and fall when concluding.

Answer Short Question

Quick, confident responses with clear pronunciation can boost your fluency score here, even for simple answers.

Helpful Tools and Exercises (Perth-Tested and Approved)

Many students enrolled in pte coaching Perth use the following resources to work on their pronunciation and tone:

Speechling – AI feedback on pronunciation

YouGlish – Hear words spoken in real videos

ELSA Speak – Personalized feedback and practice

Voice Memos + Shadowing – Record and compare your voice with native examples

Practice with Local Tutors or Speaking Partners – Human interaction is still the gold standard for speech improvement

Daily Practice Plan You Can Follow

Even if you’re juggling classes, work, and family, a 30-minute daily plan can help:

10 minutes – Listen and repeat (YouTube, podcasts)
 10 minutes – Record yourself on a PTE speaking task
 5 minutes – Shadow a native speaker sentence-by-sentence
 5 minutes – Pronounce tricky words or sounds aloud

Stick with it for a few weeks, and your natural rhythm will improve.

The Perth Advantage: A Multicultural City That Helps You Grow

Living in Perth gives you an edge. It’s a city full of accents, cultural diversity, and real-life opportunities to practice English. Whether it’s ordering food at Fremantle Market or chatting with classmates from pte coaching Perth, every conversation becomes a stepping stone to fluency.

Perth’s welcoming environment makes it easier for non-native speakers to experiment, make mistakes, and grow. Use this to your advantage.

Final Thoughts: Speak Up, Sound Natural, and Keep Practicing

Improving pronunciation and intonation doesn’t happen overnight. It takes consistent effort, mindful listening, and fearless speaking. But the payoff is worth it—not just for the PTE exam but for your confidence, your job interviews, and your everyday life.

So don’t just memorize scripts. Don’t whisper during practice. Speak up. Embrace your accent, but work to refine it. And most importantly—keep practicing until your English sounds not just correct, but alive.

Your journey to PTE success isn’t just about books and mock tests. It’s about finding your voice. And with the help of daily practice and guidance from experts at pte coaching Perth, you’re already on the right track.