LanguageCert Academic Speaking Part 4: Presentation Task Format, Tips, and Strategies

LanguageCert Academic Speaking Part 4 is the final section of the speaking test, where you deliver a presentation on an academic topic. Unlike casual conversation, this task requires you to organise your thoughts and speak continuously for up to 2 minutes. It is the most demanding spoken component of the exam, but also the one where strong candidates can demonstrate their ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.

As a secure english language test (SELT) approved for Australian immigration and UK visas, LanguageCert Academic is part of the LanguageCert International ESOL exam family. This multilevel B1-C2 exam assesses your english language proficiency across four exam components: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Part 4 tests your ability to produce extended discourse on academic subjects, the kind of language skills you need for higher education or professional environments. Whether you take the LanguageCert online exam from home or at a test centre, the spoken exam format remains the same.

If you are preparing for Australian permanent residency or a student visa, Speaking Part 4 carries significant weight. A confident, well-structured presentation can make the difference between a good score and a great one. This complete guide covers everything you need to know: the exam structure, how to use your preparation time, step-by-step strategy, scoring criteria, and how this compares to IELTS Academic and PTE Academic speaking tasks.

Unlike Cambridge English exams or other english tests, LanguageCert Academic SELT is specifically designed for visa and academic purposes. The english language requirement for skilled migration means you need to demonstrate english proficiency at the appropriate level. Understanding the exact format helps you prepare effectively for this qualification.

What Happens in Speaking Part 4

The LanguageCert Academic test uses the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to assess your language skills. Speaking Part 4 comes after you have completed the Personal Questions, Role Play, and Read Aloud sections. The examiner provides you with a stimulus, either a visual (chart, infographic, diagram) or a short text on an academic topic. You have 1 minute to prepare, then up to 2 minutes to deliver your presentation.

After your presentation, the examiner asks 1-2 follow-up questions related to your topic. These are brief and test your ability to respond spontaneously while maintaining the academic register.

Types of Prompts You Will Receive

The stimulus material covers academic subjects and academic texts that require analysis rather than personal opinion. You are not asked what you think, you are asked to discuss, explain, or analyse. This reflects the academic argumentation skills needed for academic english in university settings.

Common topic areas:

• Education (online learning, exam systems, study abroad)
• Technology (social media impact, automation, digital literacy)
• Environment (climate change, sustainability, urban planning)
• Society (ageing population, globalisation, cultural change)
• Work and study (remote work, career choices, skill development)

Stimulus formats:

• Infographic with survey data or statistics
• Bar chart or pie chart showing trends
• Short academic paragraph introducing a topic
• Diagram illustrating a process or concept

The examiner expects you to engage with the stimulus, not ignore it. If you receive a chart showing study habits of university students, your presentation should discuss what the data shows and what it might mean.

Scoring Criteria for Part 4

Your Part 4 performance contributes to the overall Speaking score, which is marked out of 100 by human examiners. All four speaking parts carry equal weight.

Task Fulfilment is double-weighted. This means the examiner prioritises whether you completed the task and communicated effectively. Perfect grammar with poor content scores lower than imperfect grammar with clear, well-developed ideas.

What this means for Part 4:

You need to actually address the stimulus. A presentation that ignores the chart or text and delivers a memorised template will score poorly on Task Fulfilment, regardless of how fluent it sounds.

Step-by-Step Strategy for the Presentation

During the 1-Minute Preparation

Your preparation time is short, so you need a system. Do not waste time reading the entire stimulus carefully. Skim for the key information.

In the first 20 seconds:

• Identify the topic
• Note 2-3 key facts or trends from the stimulus

In the remaining 40 seconds:

• Plan a simple structure: introduction, 2 points, conclusion
• Jot down 3-4 key words (not sentences)
• Think of one example or explanation for each point

A student I worked with in Campbelltown used to panic during prep time, trying to write complete sentences. Once she switched to just noting three key words, her presentations became much more natural.

During the 2-Minute Speaking Time

Introduction (20-30 seconds)

Paraphrase the stimulus and state what you will discuss.

Example: “This infographic shows the study habits of university students in three countries. I’ll discuss what the data reveals about digital learning and suggest why these patterns exist.”

Main Body (1-1.5 minutes)

Develop 2 clear points. For each point:

• State the point
• Reference the stimulus
• Give an example or explanation

Point 1: “The data shows that students in Country A spend significantly more time on online courses compared to traditional lectures. This could be because…”

Point 2: “Another interesting finding is that study group participation varies widely. In my view, this reflects…”

Conclusion (10-15 seconds)

Summarise your main observation and add a general statement.

“Overall, the data suggests that learning habits are changing rapidly. As technology becomes more accessible, we can expect these trends to continue.”

Example Presentation Response

Here is a sample outline for a prompt about online education statistics:

Stimulus: An infographic showing that 60% of university students now prefer blended learning over purely face-to-face classes.

Sample response structure:

“This infographic presents data on student preferences for different learning formats. I’m going to discuss two key observations.

First, the majority of students, around 60%, now prefer blended learning. This combines online and in-person instruction. One reason for this preference might be flexibility. Students can watch lectures at their own pace while still attending practical sessions in person.

Second, it’s notable that only 15% prefer purely online courses. This suggests that despite the convenience of digital learning, most students still value some form of face-to-face interaction with instructors and classmates.

To conclude, the data indicates a clear shift towards flexible learning models. Universities may need to adapt their teaching approaches to meet these changing expectations.”

This response directly engages with the stimulus, presents two developed points, and ends with a summary.

Time Management Tips

Unlike PTE, where a progress bar creates pressure, LanguageCert Part 4 gives you flexibility. There is no countdown on screen. However, you should still manage your time effectively.

How to pace your 2 minutes:

What to do if you forget a word:

Paraphrase. Say “the thing that…” or “what I mean is…” and continue. The examiner understands this is natural speech.

What to do if you finish early:

Expand your conclusion or add “One more point I’d like to mention…” Do not just stop abruptly.

Handling follow-up questions:

Stay calm. These questions are brief and relate to what you just discussed. A sentence or two is usually sufficient.

Comparison: LanguageCert vs IELTS vs PTE Speaking

Understanding how different tests assess extended speaking helps you choose the right exam for your skills.

Why LanguageCert has advantages over other SELT exams:

PTE Academic has no equivalent to a 2-minute presentation. The closest tasks are Describe Image (40 seconds with a timer) and Re-tell Lecture (40 seconds after listening to audio). If you struggle with strict time limits and AI scoring, LanguageCert Part 4 offers more flexibility. Many test takers who find PTE Academic challenging switch to LanguageCert for a more human-centred approach.

IELTS Academic Part 2 is similar in format. You receive a cue card with specific points to cover and have 1-2 minutes to speak. The main difference is that IELTS Academic provides explicit bullet points, while LanguageCert gives you a broader academic stimulus requiring more independent structuring.

Cambridge English exams like C1 Advanced also include extended speaking, but these are not accepted for Australian visa purposes. Among accepted english language tests, LanguageCert stands out for its combination of human examiners and flexible timing.

For test takers who perform well with human interaction and need time to develop ideas, LanguageCert Part 4 is more forgiving than AI-scored alternatives like PTE Academic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring the stimulus

Some candidates prepare generic templates and deliver them regardless of the prompt. Examiners immediately recognise this. Your presentation must engage with the specific material provided.

Finishing too early

Stopping after 60 seconds leaves the examiner with insufficient speech to assess. Aim for at least 90 seconds. If you run short, expand an example or add a concluding thought.

Memorising templates

Phrases like “This infographic shows three things: firstly, secondly, thirdly” sound robotic when overused. Vary your language naturally.

Speaking too fast

Many candidates who previously took PTE develop the habit of rushing. There is no timer countdown. Slow down and articulate clearly.

No clear structure

Jumping between ideas without transitions confuses the examiner. Use simple signposting: “First…”, “Another point is…”, “To conclude…”

How Marvel Edu Helps with Part 4 Practice

Preparing for a 2-minute presentation requires practice with realistic prompts and feedback on structure. Our platform provides tools specifically designed for the LanguageCert Academic exam format.

Timed presentation simulations

Practice with the exact format: 1 minute prep, 2 minutes speaking. Our prompts mirror the academic topics and stimulus types used in real exams.

Academic prompt library

Access a range of infographics, charts, and text stimuli covering education, technology, environment, and society. Each prompt includes suggested points and example responses for self-study.

Structured feedback on your recordings

Record your presentations and receive AI feedback on:

• Fluency and pacing
• Content development (did you address the stimulus?)
• Academic vocabulary usage
• Coherence and structure

Practice handling follow-up questions

Our mock tests include examiner-style follow-up questions after each presentation. Build confidence responding spontaneously while staying on topic.

How to Book and Prepare for the LanguageCert Exam

Before you book your LanguageCert exam, make sure you have practised the spoken component thoroughly. The LanguageCert online option allows you to take the exam from home, while test centres offer a more traditional setting. Either way, the spoken exam is conducted via live video with a human examiner.

Preparation resources:

• Official practice paper materials from LanguageCert
• Sample academic texts and infographics for presentation practice
• Mock tests that simulate the full languagecert exam experience
• Academic english vocabulary building exercises

When you book the exam, consider which format suits your situation. The online exam offers flexibility but requires a quiet room and stable internet. Test centre bookings may have limited availability but provide a controlled environment.

Score Requirements for Australian Immigration

LanguageCert Academic is accepted as proof of english language ability for Australian skilled visas. Unlike the Occupational English Test (OET) which is healthcare-specific, LanguageCert Academic covers general academic topics. Your speaking score must meet specific thresholds:

Part 4 contributes equally with Parts 1, 2, and 3 to your final Speaking score. A well-structured, stimulus-focused presentation demonstrates the kind of academic communication skills that earn higher band scores.

Quick Reference

Test Your Knowledge

Quick Review

Final Checklist for Part 4

Before the test:

[ ] Understand the 1-minute prep, 2-minute speaking format

[ ] Practice with various academic topics (education, technology, environment)

[ ] Develop a consistent structure: intro, 2 points, conclusion

[ ] Get comfortable speaking for 90-120 seconds continuously

During preparation (1 minute):

[ ] Skim the stimulus for key information

[ ] Identify 2-3 main points

[ ] Jot down 3-4 key words only

[ ] Plan one example or explanation per point

During your presentation (2 minutes):

[ ] Start by paraphrasing the stimulus

[ ] State what you will discuss

[ ] Develop each point with evidence or examples

[ ] Use clear transitions between ideas

[ ] Conclude with a summary statement

[ ] Speak at a natural, measured pace

For follow-up questions:

[ ] Listen carefully to the question

[ ] Respond briefly but completely

[ ] Stay on the topic of your presentation

Part 4 is the final and most demanding speaking task. Approach it with a clear structure, engage directly with the stimulus, and speak at a pace that allows you to develop your ideas fully. With practice, a 2-minute presentation becomes a comfortable opportunity to demonstrate your academic communication skills.