Describe the time when you first talked in a foreign language: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Where you were
Who you were with
What you talked about
And explain how you felt about it

104 unique answers with expert feedback

How did you prepare for speaking in English during the campaign?

I prepared by practicing my speech multiple times, focusing on pronunciation and vocabulary. I also sought feedback from friends who were fluent in English to improve my confidence and delivery.

What challenges did you face while speaking in a foreign language?

The main challenges were my nervousness and the fear of making mistakes. I struggled with certain vocabulary and grammar, which made me hesitant at times. However, I learned to overcome these challenges through practice and positive reinforcement.

How has your experience influenced your language learning journey?

This experience motivated me to continue learning English and other languages. It taught me the importance of communication skills in my profession as an advocate and encouraged me to seek opportunities to practice speaking with others.

Band >7

00:00

The first time I talked in English was when I was around 5 or 6. I had just started my first grade and completed my kindergarten and I joined a new school which was completely English medium. My mother tongue was Telugu and Hindi and this was during school. It was my first year of school and the teacher had asked me which grade I was in and what was my name. At first I was shocked and I didn't understand what she was saying. I was kind of scared as well, confused even. And then I started understanding the words in my head and I spoke out loud. My name is Vaishnavi. I am from the first grade. The teacher smiled at me and that was my first experience talking in a foreign language. Growing up in my house, we always spoke Hindi or Telugu. I lived in a joint family and the major language we spoke was Telugu and learning English was quite a difficult task. But I seem to have overcome that. I seem to have overcome that challenge.

Follow up questions

How did you feel after successfully speaking in English for the first time?

After I spoke in English for the first time, I felt a mix of relief and pride. It was a significant moment for me, as I had overcome my initial fear and confusion. The teacher's smile encouraged me, and I realized that I could communicate in a language that was new to me.

What challenges did you face while learning English?

Learning English was challenging because it was completely different from Telugu and Hindi, the languages I grew up with. I struggled with pronunciation and understanding the grammar rules. Additionally, being in an English medium school added pressure, but it motivated me to improve.

How has your experience with English changed since that first time?

Since that first experience, my English has improved significantly. I've become more confident in speaking and writing. I now use English daily in school and with friends, and I enjoy reading books and watching movies in English, which has further enhanced my language skills.

Band 7

00:00

Let me share an experience of the first time I talked in a foreign language. I had to speak Spanish for a school competition wherein I had to go to Delhi with my friends and my teachers to participate in a competition where there were 64 candidates. We were all given a topic in which we had to talk for about a minute and the person with the most fluency would win. I was able to blast through the competition and when I reached the semi-finals where the stakes could not have been higher, I lost. That was the first time I felt devastated. I knew the stakes were the highest at that time and all my friends and teachers depended on me but yet I failed to win. Now that I remember about that time, I feel extremely happy that I was able to perform well in a language that I had barely known for two years and it also motivated me to learn that language further. Moreover, I have started watching Netflix series in that language and I have also started using Duolingo which is an app that helps me learn that Spanish. I believe that learning a language is extremely important for everybody and they should learn at least one other language than their native language.

Follow up questions

What motivated you to learn Spanish after that competition?

After the competition, I felt a strong desire to improve my Spanish skills. The experience taught me that learning a language opens up new opportunities and helps in connecting with different cultures. This motivation pushed me to explore more resources like Netflix series and language apps.

How do you think learning a foreign language benefits individuals?

Learning a foreign language enhances communication skills, boosts cognitive abilities, and increases cultural awareness. It allows individuals to connect with people from different backgrounds and can improve job prospects in our globalized world.

Have you participated in any other language competitions since then?

Yes, I have participated in a few more language competitions. Each experience has helped me gain more confidence and fluency in Spanish. I also enjoy the challenge and the opportunity to meet others who share the same passion for languages.

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Band 7

00:00

A memorable occasion when I spoke in a foreign language happened last year during a trip to New Delhi. I was waiting a metro station when I noticed a French tourist who seemed quite lost and confused about the route. Since I had studied French for a couple of years, I decided to approach her and offer help. At first, I was a bit hesitant because I wasn't sure whether my French would be accurate enough but I reminded myself that fortune favors the bold. When I greeted her in French, her face light lit up immediately as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She explained that she was trying to reach the lotus temple but couldn't understand the signs or announcements.

Follow up questions

How did you feel before speaking in French to the tourist?

Before speaking in French, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. I was worried about making mistakes, but I also felt a sense of responsibility to help her. It was a moment where I had to push through my hesitation and remind myself that communication is key, even if it's not perfect.

What challenges did you face while speaking in a foreign language?

One of the main challenges was my fear of making grammatical errors or not being understood. Additionally, I had to think quickly and translate my thoughts into French on the spot, which was a bit daunting. However, the positive reaction from the tourist encouraged me to keep going.

Have you had any other experiences speaking foreign languages?

Yes, I have had a few other experiences speaking foreign languages. For instance, I practiced my Spanish while traveling in Spain, and I also used some basic Italian during a trip to Italy. Each experience helped boost my confidence and improve my language skills.

Band 7

00:00

I would like to talk about a time when I spoke a foreign language which was English. It happened around two years ago when I was traveling to Delhi. I met a tourist from the United States who was struggling to ask for direction to metro station. Because he didn't understand Hindi, I decided to help him by speaking in English. So at first, I was a bit nervous because English is not my mother tongue and I was worried that I might make grammatical mistakes. But however, once I started, I realized that he understood me quite well and that gave me confidence. So we had a very short conversation where I explained how to get to the metro and also recommended some local food. So the experience made me feel proud and happy because I could actually use a foreign language to communicate in real life and it also motivated me to improve my speaking skills further and I realized that learning a language is not just about passing exams but also connecting with people from different cultures.

Follow up questions

How did you prepare for speaking in English before your trip?

Before my trip, I practiced speaking English with friends and used language learning apps. I focused on common phrases and vocabulary that might be useful while traveling. This preparation helped me feel more confident when I encountered situations where I needed to speak English.

What challenges did you face while learning English?

One of the main challenges was overcoming my fear of making mistakes. I often worried about pronunciation and grammar. Additionally, finding opportunities to practice speaking with native speakers was difficult, but I tried to engage in conversations whenever I could.

How has this experience influenced your view on learning languages?

This experience made me realize that learning a language is about communication rather than perfection. It encouraged me to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process and motivated me to continue improving my language skills to connect with more people in the future.

Show all 104 answers

Cue 1:Where you were

Begin by describing the location where you first spoke in a foreign language, making it vivid and relatable.
Mention any specific details about the environment that made it memorable.

Example

I was at a language exchange event in my city, held at a local community center. The room was filled with people from different backgrounds, and there was a buzz of excitement in the air as everyone was eager to practice their language skills.

Cue 2:Who you were with

Introduce the person or people you were with during this experience.
Explain your relationship with them and why they were significant to this moment.

Example

I was paired with a native Spanish speaker named Carlos, who was also learning English. We were both nervous but excited to help each other improve our language skills.

Cue 3:What you talked about

Outline the main topics of conversation you had with the person.
Include any interesting or funny moments that occurred during your discussion.

Example

We talked about our favorite hobbies, food, and cultural differences. I remember laughing when Carlos tried to explain a traditional Spanish dish, and I struggled to pronounce it correctly.

Cue 4:And explain how you felt about it

Share your emotions during and after the conversation.
Reflect on how this experience impacted your confidence in speaking a foreign language.

Example

At first, I felt anxious and self-conscious about making mistakes. However, as we continued talking, I felt a sense of accomplishment and joy. It was liberating to express myself in a different language, and I left the event feeling more confident in my abilities.

Conclusion

Example

Overall, that experience was a turning point for me. It not only improved my language skills but also encouraged me to seek more opportunities to practice speaking in foreign languages. I realized that making mistakes is part of the learning process, and it made me more open to new experiences.

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: Avoid Vague Responses

Being vague can make your answer less engaging and informative. It may lead to a lack of detail that is crucial for a good score.

Tip

Provide specific details about the location, people, and conversation to create a vivid picture for the examiner.

2: Don't Overuse Simple Language

Relying too much on simple words can limit your expression and fail to showcase your language skills. This may affect your fluency score.

Tip

Incorporate a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures to demonstrate your language proficiency.

Neglecting Emotional Impact

Failing to express how you felt can make your answer less personal and relatable. Emotions add depth to your response.

Tip

Share your feelings about the experience, such as excitement or nervousness, to connect better with the examiner.

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