Describe a thing you did to learn another language?: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What was it?
How was it helpful?
How did you feel about it?

69 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific features of Duolingo helped you the most?

The gamification aspect of Duolingo was incredibly motivating for me. The points and rewards system kept me engaged, and the bite-sized lessons made it easier to digest complex concepts. I also appreciated the immediate feedback on my answers, which helped me learn from my mistakes quickly.

How did you overcome your initial struggles with French?

I focused on consistent practice and set small, achievable goals. I also sought additional resources like French movies and music to immerse myself in the language. Connecting with native speakers through language exchange platforms helped me gain confidence and improve my speaking skills.

What advice would you give to someone learning a new language?

I would advise them to be patient and persistent. Language learning is a gradual process, and it's important to embrace mistakes as part of the journey. Using various resources, like apps, books, and conversation practice, can make learning more enjoyable and effective.

Band 7

00:00

One thing I did to learn another language was practicing German through language exchange apps and watching German TV shows. I've always been interested in learning German because it's widely spoken in Europe and is useful in the fields of engineering and technology. To improve my skills, I usually use language apps like Duolingo. This helped me practice conversation and understand how the language is used in everyday situations. Additionally, I watched German movies and series with subtitles, which helped me pick up vocabulary and get familiar with sentence structure and pronunciation. This method was very effective because it combined both structured learning and real-life practice. It improved my confidence, especially in speaking and listening. Certainly, there are different difficulties that I've faced, but I felt really motivated because every time I understood a new word or sentence, it felt like an achievement. It also made me more aware of German culture, which was fascinating.

Follow up questions

What specific challenges did you face while learning German?

One of the main challenges was mastering the grammar, especially the cases and gender of nouns. Additionally, understanding native speakers in fast-paced conversations was difficult. However, I tackled these challenges by practicing regularly and seeking help from language partners.

How did watching German TV shows help you with the language?

Watching German TV shows helped me improve my listening skills and pronunciation. It exposed me to colloquial expressions and cultural references, making the language more relatable. Subtitles also allowed me to connect spoken words with their written forms, enhancing my vocabulary.

Have you considered visiting a German-speaking country to enhance your learning?

Yes, I have thought about it! Immersing myself in a German-speaking environment would provide real-life practice and cultural exposure. I believe it would significantly boost my language skills and confidence, as I'd be forced to communicate in German daily.

Is this page helpful?

Band 7

00:00

I have recently started learning French and my mother tongue is Marathi. So what I do to simplify the learning process is I create code words or find similarities between Marathi or English. I am comfortable speaking English because I have been learning it since I was 4 years old. So I find similarities or words that sound very similar in either of the languages. I use them as code words or I create a storyline which is very random and it usually doesn't make any sense but it's easier to remember what I am learning in French. Learning French makes me feel very proud of myself for some reason and it feels very therapeutic and aesthetically pleasing for my brain. It makes me think that I am a different person, not a different side of myself but I am different from everyone else which is very important when you have low confidence which I do have. So it's sort of an achievement for me.

Follow up questions

How do you think learning French has impacted your confidence?

Learning French has significantly boosted my confidence. It makes me feel accomplished and unique, which is important for someone like me who struggles with low self-esteem. Each new word I learn feels like a personal achievement.

What other methods do you use to learn languages besides code words?

Besides using code words, I also watch French movies and listen to French music. This helps me immerse myself in the language and understand its context better. I find that engaging with the culture makes learning more enjoyable.

Have you faced any challenges while learning French?

Yes, I have faced challenges, especially with pronunciation and grammar. Sometimes, the rules are quite different from Marathi or English, which can be confusing. However, I try to overcome these by practicing regularly and seeking help when needed.

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Band 7

00:00

A new language apart from my mother tongue that I was always keen about learning was French. My school offered to teach us French when I was in 5th grade, so I took it up as my 3rd language apart from Hindi and English. I studied French from my 5th class until my 10th class. The teachers were really good. They taught us with the utmost patience and I really enjoyed studying and learning French. I was almost always a topper during my French exams in all of my classes. After completing my school, I also took up French during my graduation course that was another 4 years, so in total I have studied French for a total of 10 years. Recently I visited to France for a family vacation and I was really grateful that I took up French in my school and college as it really helped with the communication during our trip. It was so much easier to communicate with everyone around in France including the cab drivers, the hotel managers and other tourists also. I am extremely grateful that I took it up as a 3rd language. Even my family was very happy at the time of the vacation that I was so fluent in French that we didn't have any problem during any of our vacation days. Everything went pretty smoothly. Now I also want to learn another language while simultaneously improving my skills in French so that I do not lose touch with it. Another language that I would love to learn is German because the next trip that I am planning as a vacation is to Germany so I really believe that we should keep learning new languages as it helps to vacation around the world.

Follow up questions

What challenges did you face while learning French?

While learning French, I sometimes struggled with pronunciation and grammar rules. However, my teachers were very supportive, and I practiced regularly, which helped me overcome these challenges.

How do you practice your language skills now?

I practice my French by watching French movies, reading books, and speaking with friends who are fluent. I also use language learning apps to keep my skills sharp and to learn new vocabulary.

Why do you think learning languages is important?

Learning languages is important as it opens up opportunities for communication, cultural understanding, and travel. It enhances cognitive skills and can also improve career prospects in our globalized world.

Band 7

00:00

One thing I did to learn Korean was watching Korean dramas. I started watching them out of curiosity, but over time, I realized they were a great way to pick up the language. I would watch with subtitles, paying close attention to the pronunciation and common phrases. This helped me learn everyday expressions, cultural nuances, and even some informal slang. I also tried repeating the dialogues to improve my pronunciation. It was an enjoyable and effective way to learn as it combined entertainment with language practice. Watching Korean dramas not only improved my listening skills, but also motivated me to learn.

Follow up questions

What other methods have you used to learn Korean?

In addition to watching dramas, I also used language learning apps, attended language exchange meetups, and practiced speaking with native speakers. These methods complemented my learning from dramas and helped me gain more confidence in using the language.

How do you think watching dramas helps with language learning?

Watching dramas exposes you to natural conversations and cultural contexts, making it easier to understand how the language is used in real life. It also helps with listening skills and pronunciation, as you hear native speakers using the language in various situations.

Have you noticed any changes in your language skills since you started?

Yes, I've noticed significant improvements in my listening comprehension and vocabulary. I can understand more of the dialogues without subtitles now, and I feel more comfortable speaking and using expressions I learned from the dramas in conversations.

Show all 69 answers

Cue 1:What was it?

Begin by clearly stating the specific activity you undertook to learn the language.
Provide context about why you chose this particular method, such as personal interest or necessity.

Example

I decided to join a local language exchange group where I could practice speaking Spanish with native speakers. I chose this because I wanted to improve my conversational skills and immerse myself in the language.

Cue 2:How was it helpful?

Explain the benefits you gained from this experience, such as improved vocabulary or confidence.
Mention any specific instances where you noticed progress in your language skills.

Example

This experience was incredibly helpful as it allowed me to practice speaking in a real-world setting. I noticed that my vocabulary expanded significantly, and I became more confident in holding conversations. For example, during one session, I was able to discuss my favorite movies in Spanish without hesitation.

Cue 3:How did you feel about it?

Share your emotions regarding the experience, including any challenges you faced.
Reflect on how this activity impacted your overall attitude towards learning the language.

Example

Initially, I felt nervous about speaking with native speakers, but as I attended more sessions, I began to enjoy the process. I felt a sense of accomplishment every time I successfully communicated, which motivated me to continue learning.

Conclusion

Summarize the key takeaways from your experience.
Express how this activity has influenced your future language learning goals.

Example

In conclusion, joining the language exchange group not only improved my Spanish skills but also ignited a passion for learning languages. I now plan to explore other languages and continue participating in similar groups to enhance my skills further.

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: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear and unengaging. Candidates often fail to provide specific details about their experiences, which can lead to a lack of depth in their response.

Tip

Use specific examples and details to illustrate your experience. Describe the methods you used and the context in which you learned the language.

2: Ignoring Emotional Impact

Neglecting to express how you felt about the experience can make your answer less relatable. Candidates often focus solely on facts and forget to share their personal feelings.

Tip

Include your emotions and thoughts during the learning process. Explain how the experience affected you personally and what it meant to you.

Lack of Structure

A disorganized response can confuse the listener. Candidates sometimes jump between points without a clear flow, making it hard to follow their story.

Tip

Organize your answer by following the cues clearly. Start with what you did, then explain how it helped you, and finally share your feelings about the experience.

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Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.