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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe A Thing You Did To Learn Another Language: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 12, 2024, 11:15

Overview

An IELTS Speaking cue card is a prompt that helps you discuss a specific topic during the IELTS Speaking test, aiming to assess your speaking skills and fluency. One such topic is ‘Describe A Thing You Did To Learn Another Language.
 

This topic allows you to share your personal experiences and effective methods for language learning, showcasing your dedication and creativity. In this context, we'll explore detailed sample answers, providing you with valuable insights and strategies to confidently respond to this cue card prompt.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe A Thing You Did To Learn Another Language

You should say

  • What language did you learn?
  • What did you do?
  • How does it help you learn the language?
  • And how do you feel about it?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction:

 

  • I decided to learn Spanish to connect with its rich culture and because it is widely spoken globally.
  • My journey began about two years ago when I planned a trip to Spain.
  • Immersing myself in the language seemed the most effective method to achieve my goal.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest:

 

  • I started by watching Spanish TV shows and movies without subtitles, which helped me familiarise myself with the sounds and rhythms of the language.
  • Joining a local language exchange group allowed me to practise speaking with native speakers, making the learning process enjoyable and practical.
  • Although challenging at first, these activities significantly improved my listening and speaking skills.

 

Key Highlights:

 

  • One major milestone was having my first full conversation in Spanish, which boosted my confidence immensely.
  • Reading "Cien Años de Soledad" by Gabriel García Márquez with minimal use of a dictionary was another significant achievement.
  • Using language apps like Duolingo and Babbel helped me build my vocabulary and grammar skills effectively.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Immersing myself in Spanish through various methods has greatly enhanced my language skills.
  • I now feel much more confident speaking Spanish and continually seek opportunities to practise and improve.
  • My future goal is to achieve fluency and possibly take a proficiency test to certify my skills.
Sample Answer 2

Introduction (Covers: What language did you learn?):

 

  • French became my focus due to its elegance and importance in my professional aspirations.
  • I embarked on my language journey about three years ago when I aimed to pursue career opportunities in French-speaking regions.
  • Opting for an immersive learning approach seemed the most effective way to achieve proficiency in French.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: What did you do?):

 

  • Initially, I immersed myself in French films and podcasts to familiarise myself with the language's pronunciation and rhythm.
  • Daily conversations with native speakers through language exchange programmes significantly enhanced my speaking skills.
  • Overcoming initial challenges, such as grasping complex grammar rules, was facilitated by consistent practice and dedication.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: How does it help you learn the language?):

 

  • A significant achievement was delivering a presentation entirely in French during a professional conference, showcasing my improved language skills.
  • Successfully reading French literature, like "Le Petit Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, without constant translation, marked a pivotal moment in my language journey.
  • Using language learning apps such as Babbel and Rosetta Stone proved invaluable in expanding my vocabulary and refining grammatical nuances.

 

Conclusion (Covers: And how do you feel about it?):

 

  • Immersing myself fully in the French language and culture has significantly accelerated my learning curve.
  • I now approach fluency in French with greater confidence and enthusiasm, continually seeking opportunities to refine my linguistic proficiency.
  • My future plans include obtaining language certifications to validate my skills and enhance my career prospects.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction (Covers: What language did you learn?):

 

  • German piqued my interest due to its rich cultural heritage and economic significance.
  • My journey into learning German began approximately two years ago when I set my sights on pursuing opportunities in German-speaking countries.
  • Opting for an immersive learning approach seemed the most practical strategy to achieve proficiency in German.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: What did you do?):

 

  • Initially, I immersed myself in German music and podcasts to acquaint myself with the language's pronunciation and rhythm.
  • Engaging in regular conversations with native speakers through language exchange programmes significantly bolstered my speaking abilities.
  • Overcoming initial challenges, such as understanding complex grammar structures, was facilitated by consistent practice and determination.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: How does it help you learn the language?):

 

  • A noteworthy milestone was successfully conducting business negotiations entirely in German, showcasing my practical language skills.
  • Reading German literature, such as "Der Vorleser" by Bernhard Schlink, without constant translation, marked a significant achievement in my language journey.
  • Using language learning apps like Duolingo and Anki proved instrumental in expanding my vocabulary and reinforcing grammatical concepts effectively.

 

Conclusion (Covers: And how do you feel about it?):

 

  • Fully immersing myself in the German language and culture has accelerated my learning curve significantly.
  • I now approach fluency in German with enhanced confidence and enthusiasm, continually seeking opportunities to refine my linguistic proficiency.
  • Future aspirations include obtaining language certifications to validate my skills and pursue career opportunities in German-speaking regions.

Understanding how to structure your answer for the cue card topic ‘Describe A Thing You Did To Learn Another Language’ will greatly benefit you in the IELTS Speaking test. 
 

When the cue card section starts, the examiner will give you a topic and one minute to prepare. You then need to speak for up to two minutes on that topic. Knowing how to break down your answer into manageable parts will help you stay organised and fluent.
 

The best way to answer these cue cards is by dividing your response into four parts: Introduction, describing your experience/opinion/interest, key highlights, and conclusion. This approach ensures your answer is comprehensive and coherent.

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Here’s what each of the section will cover:

 

Introduction (Covers: What language did you learn?):

 

  • State what language you learned.
  • Mention why you chose to learn this language.
  • Provide a brief context about when you started learning.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: What did you do?): 

 

  • Explain the method or thing you did to learn the language.
  • Share your feelings or thoughts about this learning process.
  • Mention any challenges you faced initially.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: How does it help you learn the language?):

 

  • Highlight significant milestones or achievements.
  • Talk about any memorable experiences during your learning journey.
  • Share any useful resources or techniques you found effective.

 

Conclusion (Covers: And how do you feel about it?):

 

  • Summarise how this method helped you learn the language.
  • Reflect on your progress and current proficiency.
  • Mention any plans for improving your language skills.

 

By following this structure, you can ensure your response is detailed and engaging. This will allow you to showcase your language skills effectively within the two-minute limit. This organised approach helps you thoroughly cover all aspects of the topic while maintaining a clear and logical flow.

 

Also Read:

 

Follow-Up Questions

In the IELTS Speaking module, Part 3, the Two-way discussion round follows the cue card section. This part allows you to explore further and discuss the topic you spoke about in Part 2. It typically lasts for 4-5 minutes and involves the examiner asking you questions related to the theme of your cue card.
 

The examiner will likely delve deeper into the topic, asking about your opinions, experiences, and broader implications related to language learning. This segment aims to assess your ability to discuss ideas coherently and fluently.

Q1. What difficulties do people face when learning a language?

Answer 1: Learning a new language can be challenging due to unfamiliar grammar rules and pronunciation. For instance, mastering French nasal sounds posed a significant hurdle initially. Additionally, maintaining consistent practice to retain vocabulary can be demanding.

 

Answer 2: People often struggle with pronunciation and grammar nuances when learning a new language. I found German's complex sentence structures initially daunting. Moreover, cultural differences and idiomatic expressions can complicate comprehension and fluency.

Q2. What is the best way to learn a language?

Answer 1: Immersing oneself in the language through daily interactions and media consumption proved most effective for me. For example, conversing with native speakers and watching Spanish films accelerated my learning.

 

Answer 2: The most effective method involves a combination of structured learning and practical application. Engaging in language exchange programmes and using interactive apps like Duolingo enhance comprehension and fluency.

Q3. Do you think language learning is important? Why?

Answer 1: Absolutely, learning languages fosters cultural understanding and global communication. Speaking Spanish facilitated deeper connections with Spanish-speaking colleagues, enhancing collaboration.

 

Answer 2: Yes, mastering a language opens doors to new opportunities, both professionally and personally. Fluency in French broadened my career prospects and enabled meaningful interactions during travel.

Q4. How does learning a second language help in career?

Answer 1: Acquiring proficiency in a second language enhances international job prospects and facilitates effective communication with global clients. For example, speaking Mandarin fluently boosted my credibility in negotiations with Chinese partners.

 

Answer 2: Language skills enhance employability by demonstrating adaptability and cultural sensitivity. Proficiency in Italian enabled me to navigate local markets and establish rapport with Italian clients, bolstering business relations.

FAQs

Q. Which part is the most important in IELTS speaking?

Ans. All parts of the IELTS Speaking test are important, but Part 3 (Two-way Discussion) often carries more weight. It allows you to discuss in-depth opinions and ideas related to the cue card topic, showcasing your ability to engage in fluent and coherent conversation. However, proficiency in all parts, including Part 1 (Introduction and Interview) and Part 2 (Cue Card), contributes to your overall speaking score.

Q. What is the lowest score in IELTS speaking?

Ans. The lowest possible score in each of the four criteria Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation for IELTS Speaking is 0. However, candidates rarely score 0 overall due to partial credit given by examiners across different aspects of speaking ability.

Q. Can I change the topic for speaking in IELTS?

Ans. No, you cannot change the topic given for the IELTS Speaking test. The cue card topic is provided by the examiner during Part 2, and you must speak on that specific topic for up to 2 minutes. Preparation and practice beforehand can help you effectively respond to any given cue card topic during the test.

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