Cue Card Sample
Describe something you did to learn another language - Cue Card # 759
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe something you did to learn another language/ a second language.
You should say:
- what language you learned
- what you did
- how it helped you learn the language
and explain how you felt about it.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Learning a different language, other than one’s native language, is always a challenging matter. But, it surely can be done if one is willing to invest his or her time and take the appropriate steps, just like I did when I learned the Japanese language a few years ago.
Now, I didn’t really care much about learning the Japanese language until I started attending my university. Prior to starting my university years, of course, I did learn about the English language, but that’s because it was a part of our school curriculum, and I just didn’t have any other option but to learn it. In other words, I needed to learn the English language because I needed to graduate from high school.
But, when it came to learning the Japanese language, I went for it, purely because I had become extremely fascinated about Japanese culture and customs, especially, after watching some family drama on some of our national television channels.
In fact, I became so interested in learning that language that I actually started to video record those Japanese drama serials one episode after another for the purpose of watching them again later on. But, a little later, I realized that just watching drama serials wasn’t good enough to learn Japanese characters and their associated pronunciations since the Japanese language uses three different kinds of scripts. So, I went ahead and bought a good, but expensive, Japanese language book with English translation, of course. It was then with the help of this Japanese language book and Japanese TV serials, I began to understand many of the expressions and important phrases of the Japanese language.
Anyway, even though, now, I haven’t quite managed to master the Japanese language completely, it still feels really good that I already know a bit more than just managing to have some basic conversation in that language, and that too without attending a language school or anything like that. I also felt that we all should learn at least one foreign language to appreciate the other cultures and customs of this world.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
Embarking on the journey of learning a second language can be both challenging and rewarding. In my case, the language of choice was Spanish, and my approach was a combination of structured lessons and immersive experiences. I am so glad to be able to talk about my experience of learning a second language for this topic.
What language you learned:
The language I delved into was Spanish, attracted by its global relevance and the prospect of connecting with a large number of people who can also communicate in this language.
What you did:
To enhance my language learning, I enrolled in formal classes that provided a foundational understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Additionally, I sought immersive experiences by engaging with native speakers, watching Spanish films, and listening to Spanish music.
How it helped you learn the language:
Formal lessons equipped me with a structured understanding of the language, including its grammatical nuances and essential vocabulary. However, it was the immersive experiences that truly brought the language to life. Conversing with native speakers allowed me to apply what I'd learned in class to real-world situations, enhancing both my spoken and listening skills. Watching films and listening to music helped me grasp colloquial expressions and varied accents.
And explain how you felt about it:
The journey was both exciting and occasionally frustrating. There were moments of elation when I successfully communicated in Spanish and instances of confusion when the language nuances seemed elusive. However, the gradual progress and the ability to connect with Spanish speakers on a deeper level made the entire process immensely satisfying. Learning a second language became not just a skill but a gateway to understanding and appreciating a different culture, and that, to me, made the effort entirely worthwhile.
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