A Guide to Teaching PTE Academic Listening Multiple Answer

The Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer (Listening) task of the PTE Academic can be one of the most challenging parts of the exam, especially for students navigating English proficiency in an academic context. As educators, understanding this task's intricacies is crucial for guiding students effectively. In this article, I’ll break down the key aspects of this question type, why it matters, and how teachers can better prepare students for success.

What is Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer (Listening)? In this task, students listen to a recording that ranges from 40 to 90 seconds and must select multiple correct answers from a list of options. It’s not just about identifying words—they must critically analyze the audio content to discern key points, supporting details, and sometimes subtle shifts in tone or intent.

Why Is It Important? The Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer (Listening) task evaluates not only listening comprehension but also critical thinking and decision-making under time pressure. These skills are essential for students aiming to perform well in academic settings where they need to understand and evaluate spoken English in real-time.

Challenges for Students and How to Address Them

• Information Overload: Students often struggle to process all the information in a limited time frame. Encourage them to focus on main ideas and important details rather than trying to grasp every word.
• Negative Marking: This question type uses negative marking, meaning incorrect answers can reduce their score. Teach students to choose carefully rather than guess, reinforcing accuracy over quantity.
• Critical Listening Skills: Help students develop active listening skills by practicing with varied audio materials. Use real-life examples such as lectures or discussions to simulate the exam environment.

Teaching Tips for Educators

1. Foster Focused Listening: Encourage students to practice listening with intent, focusing on key points in each audio clip. You can create activities that require them to take brief notes on the core message rather than every detail.
2. Introduce Time Management Strategies: Since the section has time constraints, students must learn to manage their time efficiently. Teach them to allocate enough time to review options without overthinking, moving on when unsure.
3. Use Varied Practice Materials: Provide recordings with diverse accents and topics, as this better mirrors the real exam. Practice exercises should include recordings of academic discussions, lectures, or dialogues to simulate what students will hear in the test.

Maximizing Performance with the Right Tools With these challenges in mind, technology can be a game changer for educators. At Marvel PTE software for institutes, our AI-powered platform offers customized, white-label practice tools that simulate real exam environments. The software’s advanced analytics helps teachers pinpoint student weaknesses and tailor practice sessions to improve their listening and decision-making skills. This enables institutes to deliver better results while enhancing their operational efficiency.