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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?
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26 unique answers with expert feedback

Band 7

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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 tried to learn a language?
In addition to watching dramas, I have also tried language exchange with native speakers, using language learning apps, and attending classes. Each method has its own benefits, but I find that combining different approaches keeps the learning process engaging and effective.

How do you think watching dramas helps with cultural understanding?
Watching dramas provides insights into cultural norms, values, and social interactions. It exposes me to how language is used in context, helping me understand not just the words, but the emotions and cultural references behind them, which is crucial for effective communication.

Have you made any friends through your language learning journey?
Yes, I have made several friends through language exchange meetups and online platforms. Sharing our language learning experiences has not only helped me practice Korean but also allowed me to learn about their cultures and make lasting connections.

Band 6-7

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I'm planning to move to Italy so that I start learning Italian recently. I always wanted to study Italian. I feel that knowing Italian can help me in my studies. So I started learning Italian. One of my friends said that there's an application that helps to study Italian. Then I took that app and started studying from my home. It was a very good application that helped. Very helpful for every kind of people like children or adults. In my opinion, that app helps people very much. I love learning Italian now. Also, I can speak Italian very well.

Follow up questions


What specific features of the app do you find most helpful for learning Italian?
The app has interactive lessons, quizzes, and pronunciation guides that make learning engaging. I particularly enjoy the speaking exercises that help me practice my pronunciation and conversational skills. The progress tracking feature also motivates me to keep learning.

How do you practice speaking Italian outside of using the app?
I try to practice speaking Italian with my friends who are fluent in the language. Additionally, I watch Italian movies and listen to Italian music to immerse myself in the language. Sometimes, I even join online language exchange groups to converse with native speakers.

What challenges have you faced while learning Italian, and how did you overcome them?
One challenge was understanding the grammar, which is quite different from English. I overcame this by dedicating extra time to study grammar rules and practicing with exercises in the app. I also asked my friend for help whenever I got stuck, which made a big difference.

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IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

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

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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.

Band 6-7

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00:00

It is always a great thing to learn a new language especially when you travel to a new country just like me with AcS Luiza to be brief, One year ago i was trying to learn Nepalese language when i came to the Nepal country I have known the new people there where they only speak in Nepalese language so it is difficult to communicate in another language It is always a handful thing to have ample number of languages to be known when i was travelling from airport to Kathmandu mountain there is a lot of things and new routes were there so i was little bit confused during travelling and while travelling i have enquired with the local people about the route so they don't know other language especially Hindi it is a national language of India but they are unaware of this language so i have recorrected the language from the past experience then i have spoken about the n route to the directions and where it is a beautiful journey from airport to the mountain and when we reached there we find a snow caps and green villages where it is a charismatic beauty and a mesmerizing snowfall was happening and it was really quite amazing and memorable

Follow up questions


What motivated you to learn the Nepalese language?
I was motivated to learn the Nepalese language because I wanted to communicate effectively with the locals during my travels. Understanding their language would help me navigate better and immerse myself in the culture.

How did you practice speaking Nepalese while you were there?
I practiced speaking Nepalese by engaging with local people, asking for directions, and trying to converse with them. I also used language apps and resources to improve my vocabulary and pronunciation.

What challenges did you face while learning Nepalese?
The main challenge was the language barrier, as many locals only spoke Nepalese. Additionally, the pronunciation and grammar were quite different from what I was used to, which made it difficult to communicate at times.

Band 6-7

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00:00

So, I had just finished my 10th class and I got a pretty long summer break. I was just wondering what I would do to improve my hobbies or learn a new language. And then it struck me that, oh, I could, I can learn Spanish. So that is when I started learning Spanish on Duolingo. So, I tried to stay consistent, but that wasn't really a case. I barely got through the initial introduction and how to introduce yourself in Spanish. So, that is when I started learning Spanish.

Follow up questions


What motivated you to choose Spanish over other languages?
I have always been fascinated by Spanish culture and music. Additionally, I thought learning Spanish would be beneficial for travel and communication, as it's widely spoken in many countries.

What challenges did you face while learning Spanish?
One of the main challenges was maintaining consistency. I often found it difficult to set aside time each day to practice. Additionally, grasping the pronunciation and grammar rules was quite tricky for me.

Do you plan to continue learning Spanish in the future?
Yes, I definitely plan to continue learning Spanish. I want to reach a level of fluency where I can hold conversations and understand native speakers. I might also consider taking formal classes or finding a language partner.

Band 6-7

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00:00

I recently learned English language. It is required for PR visa. We decided me and my husband to get visa for Canada but the only criteria was that you crack IELTS exam and score 6 band. So for that to learn English I joined some classes. I was doing daily practice and attending daily practice sessions of class. I tried to listen various audios and songs on my mobile phone to improve my English and to I was not able to understand foreign essence earlier. Now I am able to understand those essence particularly British essence. It was very difficult for me to understand those essence but now by listening songs and watching some English movies and series on TV helped me a lot. Basically English is used as a native language in different countries. So it is essential to learn that language. Now I feel very confident and I am so excited to give a test on English and examine myself. Now I feel that I can speak English little bit fluently but I am able to understand

Follow up questions


What challenges did you face while learning English?
I faced several challenges, especially with understanding different accents and pronunciations. Initially, I struggled with the British accent, which sounded very different from what I was used to. It took a lot of practice and patience to get accustomed to the nuances of the language.

How do you think learning English will benefit you in Canada?
Learning English will greatly benefit me in Canada as it is essential for communication in daily life and work. It will help me integrate into the community, find job opportunities, and connect with people. Being proficient in English will make my transition to a new country much smoother.

What resources did you find most helpful in your language learning journey?
I found a combination of resources helpful, including language classes, online courses, and mobile apps. Listening to English songs and watching movies also played a crucial role in improving my listening skills and understanding the culture associated with the language.
Show all 26 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.

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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.

bulb icon

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.

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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.


calendar icon

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

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

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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.

All Answers

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

Band 6

00:00

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00:00

I love watching kdramas so I was very keen to learn Korean language so I started learning the language but it is quite difficult as the words are very different the way we write that language is very different as in English we use letters but in Korean we use symbols to write it and it was quite different and difficult but I learned that language mostly with the help of mostly the writing practices and I even watched some kdramas and watched some little videos which asked some questions in Korean and we had to reply them back in Korean as well and it also gave me questions in the form of fill in the blanks where they will give a small topic and also provide the answers with some blanks in between and we just have to fill in the blanks with very basic amount of knowledge.

Band 6

00:00

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00:00

As someone who loves to learn new languages, I started my journey of learning the German language. Although initially it did not go very well, in order to improve my German language skills, I watched multiple YouTube videos of how others have mastered the language. I watched movies with German audio, with English subtitles, in order to improve my fluency and my speed of understanding. Although these helped me improve my understanding of the language, I do not think these are sufficient in order to master the language and for me to get a hold on the language. I believe that only when I'm surrounded by people who are constantly speaking the language and I'm constantly hearing words, that I will truly learn the language.

Band 6

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00:00

I did my graduation in Tamil Nadu and I was born in Andhra Pradesh, so my mother tongue is Telugu and the language used in Tamil Nadu is Tamil. It is very much different from Telugu what we actually talk in our state because we only use majorly as Hindi and English, but going for education to that state that mainly requires Tamil as a primary language to communicate to others and also with the faculty. So I did a lot of things to learn Tamil. One of the most efficient thing that I did to learn Tamil is talking with the friends and with the locals of our class, like using same words when talking with them. I also did watch some of the movies in the local language so that I can grasp all the local words and use them frequently to learn. I also did travel to some places in Tamil Nadu where I majorly used Tamil to communicate with the locals and to get additional information. Moreover, Tamil is very hard to learn other than other languages, but I did a great job. I appreciate myself as I learned almost, almost I can translate any sentence or paragraph from Tamil to any other language because I have stayed there for three years. It's been a long journey and we also had roommates in our room of Tamil. It has been so helpful for me to learn Tamil because it is a barrier there in Tamil Nadu.

Band 5-6

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00:00

Well, the other language that I really prepped on speaking, other than my mother tongue Hindi-English, was Sanskrit. Mainly while learning Sanskrit, the grammar that is used is slightly different and is a bit more complicated and has an intriguing grammatical structure that it has. Like, the verbs and all are not the same. Okay. I'd say I just didn't learn a language like when I started. I can speak Marathi because everyone in my house does and I picked up on cues the same way Hindi. I was able to speak about it with my friends and other non-Maharashtrian people, with my peers and friend groups, with my peers and teachers sometimes. And I was able to speak English, I think since I was like 4th standard, so I don't really have an exact memory of how it was learned. I was learning Hindi and English simultaneously, you could say. So, the question is a bit of like, a bit of jab at me right now because I don't have a starting point which I could remember. Like, a point where I did a thing to learn a different language. I did also learn Sanskrit, but it was also pretty much vague. I just went through the grammatical structure that it has and it is pretty different and like, and it's like...

Band 5-6

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00:00

Firstly, I am a person well versed in English, though it is not my mother tongue. My mother tongue is Tamil, which is known as a native language of people of Tamil Nadu. There is a famous proverb which describes the Tamil accent as a person who stood with bow and arrow before the entire human civilization was formed. Though I am not a very good person, fluent in other languages of India.

Band 5-6

00:00

/

00:00

The language I would like to learn, probably I would say Hindi language, because Hindi is one of the traditional languages in my country. Every north Indian people speak in Hindi, so Hindi is one of the practicable languages. Everybody should know about how to talk, how to interact with each other in Hindi. So the most used language is Tamil in India. In addition, I would like to speak in Hindi from childhood. Even though I was not born from the Hindi family, it's not even my second language, it's a third language. My son was not a Hindi speaker, actually. They could use English and Tamil mostly. So it's my third language to practice how to speak in Hindi.
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