Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person?: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When it happened
What you thought
Who you taught
Why you taught this person
How you felt about teaching

7 unique answers with expert feedback

What challenges did you face while teaching your buddy?

One of the main challenges was ensuring that he understood the importance of proper communication. I realized that he was nervous and might not have been fully attentive. I had to be patient and find ways to make the learning process engaging and effective.

How do you think your experience as a buddy will help you in the future?

This experience taught me valuable lessons about mentorship and communication. I learned to be more attentive and supportive, which will help me in future roles where I might need to guide others. It also made me more aware of the common mistakes new employees might make.

What methods do you think are effective for teaching someone new?

I believe using real-life examples and practical demonstrations is very effective. Additionally, encouraging questions and providing constructive feedback can help the learner feel more comfortable and engaged. It's important to create a supportive environment for learning.

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, actually teaching is a skill to share information to others effectively and it is one of the best way to know new information whenever we teaching others. I like to teach others and share knowledge to them. Today I would like to talk about a time that I taught something new for my brother. I vividly remember that it was happened when I am in my 11th standard. At that time, my brother took a short break from his school due to some health issues. So he missed so many topics in different subjects. When he completed his sick leave and he rejoined the class, he realized that he missed a lot of portions in mathematics. For him, there was a topic trigonometry in mathematics. His teacher completed the topics during his leave days. So he requested me to teach him regarding the trigonometry. Therefore, I teach him every evening and I ask different questions regarding the topics I teach him. Initially, I just clarified him about the basic topics related to trigonometry. Then I let teach him how to study the trigonometry table. Most of the students realized that it was very difficult, but I felt it is very interesting and easy to study. So I just teach him regarding the easy method how to teach the trigonometry table. So he realized the easy method.

Follow up questions

What challenges did you face while teaching your brother?

One challenge was ensuring he understood the basics before moving on. I had to be patient and find different ways to explain concepts, especially since he was feeling overwhelmed after missing school. It required me to adapt my teaching style to his learning pace.

How did your brother respond to your teaching methods?

He was initially hesitant but became more engaged as I used simpler methods. He appreciated the way I broke down complex topics and found the easy methods I shared helpful. His confidence grew, and he started to enjoy learning trigonometry.

What did you learn from this teaching experience?

I learned that teaching requires flexibility and understanding. It also reinforced my own knowledge of trigonometry. I realized that sharing knowledge is rewarding, and it helped me develop my communication skills and patience.

Band 6-7

00:00

I am not very keen on teaching something especially to a younger person primarily because I think I am bad at educating someone else about the things that I know. So I have tried teaching to my younger brother who is just like 5 years old. He had trouble, he had difficulty in colouring between the lines in his project. So I asked him to first draw an outline of the colour next to the border so that it becomes difficult for him to colour within the lines. It happened, it was very random. He came up to me and asked me to help him colour because it was a really big project for him and he was crying. So I figured why not, it was just him, it was not a random person. So it was a very memorable experience for me. I really liked it. It was an eye opener. I always thought teaching preschoolers would be really difficult because they would not sit at one place but he was very calm with me. I think mainly because I was his big sister and I would scold him. But no, he was very patient and sometimes I tend to get aggressive when I am teaching someone a new thing, especially maths, I tend to get very aggressive. I just keep repeating the same stuff and it just confuses the person even more. So I really benefited from the whole experience. I came to understand that I am not a teacher.

Follow up questions

What do you think makes a good teacher?

A good teacher should be patient, understanding, and adaptable. They need to recognize each student's learning style and adjust their methods accordingly. It's also important for a teacher to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes.

How do you feel about teaching in the future?

I still feel uncertain about teaching, especially since I believe I lack the skills. However, I might consider tutoring or mentoring in a more informal setting, where I can share knowledge without the pressure of being a formal teacher. I think it could be a rewarding experience.

What other skills do you think are important for teaching?

In addition to patience, communication skills are crucial. A teacher must convey ideas clearly and engage students. Creativity is also important to make learning fun and relatable. Lastly, empathy helps in understanding students' struggles and providing the right support.

Practice other cue cards

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Describe a plan that you had to change recently

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Describe Something You Do To Keep Fit And Healthy

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Band 6-7

00:00

So, this happened around 3-4 years ago, when my nephew was around 5-6 years old, and I taught him how to read a clock. So during one of the summers, we were sitting down, and he used to continuously come to me and ask that, okay, what's the time now, what's the time now. I just told him that instead of you asking me, I would teach you how you should read a clock. So we sat around for 1-2 hours, taking a slate, and I just described him about the functionalities of the clock, what is the small hand, the big hand, the second hand, and he was really very quick to pick it up, and yes, just after 1-2 days of teaching, he was able to read the clock, and that feeling was amazing that, okay, he could read a clock now, and he is no more dependent on me to know what time is it. So yeah, that was a very wonderful feeling of teaching someone, and that gave me a thought that, okay, these are the small little things that I should do to get happiness. So yeah, teaching someone something is a very rewarding feeling, and I should do it more often.

Follow up questions

What other skills do you think are important to teach children?

I believe teaching children basic life skills like cooking, cleaning, and time management is essential. These skills help them become more independent and responsible. Additionally, teaching them social skills and emotional intelligence can greatly benefit their interactions with others.

How do you feel about teaching others in general?

I find teaching to be a very fulfilling experience. It allows me to share knowledge and skills while also learning from the process. Seeing someone grasp a concept or skill is incredibly rewarding, and it motivates me to continue teaching and helping others.

Can you share another memorable teaching experience?

Certainly! I once helped a friend learn how to ride a bicycle. It took a lot of patience, but seeing them finally balance and ride on their own was exhilarating. It reminded me of the joy that comes from teaching and the importance of encouragement and support.

Band 6-7

00:00

One time I taught my younger brother to dance. I love dancing and dancing is one of my hobbies and I am also good with it. So one time my younger brother had participated in an event in his school and he was in a dance club and he was struggling with it. So he asked me to teach him to dance and to be honest dancing is not that hard. He just needed to shake his hips a little bit. But for boys you know shaking hips can be hard. So I just showed him 2-3 moves where he could just use his karate moves and swing his karate moves so that he can dance swiftly. Now after 2 years he is dancing so much better than he used to and maybe he can compete me also. I like that I was the one who taught him to dance and now maybe in future he will pursue dancing as a career. But whenever I ask him what he wants to become in future he just tells I just want to be an actor and to my goodness that acting requires dancing as well. So I was the one who taught him to dance and I am always going to take credits for that.

Follow up questions

What other skills do you think are important to teach younger people?

I believe teaching younger people skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork is crucial. These skills help them navigate life better and prepare for future challenges. Additionally, teaching them about responsibility and time management can also be very beneficial.

How do you feel when you see someone you taught succeed?

It feels incredibly rewarding to see someone you taught succeed. It gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that you played a part in their journey. It also motivates me to continue sharing my knowledge and skills with others.

What challenges did you face while teaching your brother?

One challenge I faced was his initial reluctance to try new moves, especially since he was shy about dancing. I had to find ways to make it fun and engaging for him. Additionally, I had to be patient and encouraging, as learning something new can be frustrating at times.

Show all 7 answers

Cue 1:When it happened

Mention a specific time frame, such as a particular month or year.
Describe the setting where the teaching took place, making it relatable.

Example

It was during the summer vacation last year when I decided to teach my younger cousin how to ride a bicycle. We were at my home in the backyard, which had enough space for practice.

Cue 2:What you thought

Share your initial feelings about teaching this skill.
Reflect on any concerns or excitement you had before starting.

Example

I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. I wanted to ensure that my cousin learned safely, but I was also thrilled to share this fun experience with him.

Cue 3:Who you taught

Introduce the younger person you taught, including their age and relationship to you.
Highlight any relevant background information about their previous experience with the skill.

Example

I taught my cousin, who is 10 years old. He had never ridden a bicycle before, so I knew it would be a new adventure for him.

Cue 4:Why you taught this person

Explain your motivation for teaching this specific individual.
Mention any personal connection or responsibility you felt.

Example

I chose to teach him because I remember how much fun I had learning to ride a bike at his age. I wanted him to experience that joy and gain confidence.

Cue 5:How you felt about teaching

Describe your feelings during and after the teaching experience.
Share any sense of accomplishment or pride you felt.

Example

Teaching him was incredibly rewarding. I felt proud when he finally balanced on his own, and seeing his joy made all my efforts worthwhile.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points of your experience.
Reflect on the importance of teaching and sharing skills with others.

Example

In conclusion, teaching my cousin to ride a bicycle was a memorable experience that strengthened our bond. It reminded me of the joy of learning and the importance of passing on skills to the next generation.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Lack of Specific Details

Avoid vague answers that do not provide specific details about the teaching experience. This can make your response less engaging and informative.

Tip

Include specific examples, such as the exact time, place, and activities involved in teaching to create a vivid picture.

2: Neglecting Personal Feelings

Failing to express your feelings about the teaching experience can make your answer less personal and relatable. It is important to convey your emotions.

Tip

Share how you felt before, during, and after teaching, as this adds depth and connection to your story.

Ignoring the Audience

Not considering who you are teaching can lead to a lack of relevance in your response. Tailoring your answer to the audience is crucial.

Tip

Mention the age and background of the person you taught, and explain why this context is important for your teaching experience.

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All Answers

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 6-7

Band 6

I thought a person who was a junior to me in my working space and he was doing a CA inter and I was an audit administrator and he was an articleship trainee. I was reminded of a person who was a junior to me. He was an articleship assistant in my office and I was the audit administrator who was responsible for the whole administration of the firm. He was like two years younger to me and he had a closeness with me with regard to his academic persuasions and other advises, his personal life advises too. So when he asked me about his academic help I told him that it's better late than ever to decide now about his future and to plan out what he's going to achieve in his life. I personally believe that having a clear plan about what you're going to do in the future is what makes you take the next step for your future. So if you don't have a plan then nothing works properly and you won't have a way to go or which path you have to choose or which way you have to proceed further. So I told him to make a proper plan and check that plan for whether it's working properly or whether he's following the plan or whether he is having a backlag or his plan is working out. So he followed that tip and now he has passed his CA and he often calls me for other advises too. He is now more like a younger brother to me and he often rings me.

Band 5-6

Firstly, in my point of view, that person is my elder sister. She is doing right now a Bachelor of Pharmacy in Nima University and I really appreciate her not because of she is one of the best student of her university but the way she transform herself from starting of the semester, I know her, she was one of the most introvert person in my house and right now she is in her best world. She developed many skills like in work on self-development by participating in different types of cultural events, in academic events and I know that she hates this, she is a very anti-social person but right now she is engaging with many people and now she make a lot of connections not for only their academics but also make the friends, new friends and I really appreciate her that I would also like to develop skills and transform myself like she did. We had a lot of memories when we were in childhood and she was not like this but yes, right now she is a fantastic person. Furthermore,