IELTS Cue Card 98: Describe Something That Helped You Learn Another Language
IELTS Speaking Cue Card with Sample Answer. Describe Something That Helped You Learn Another Language. IELTS Speaking Part 2 With Model Answer. Also Sample answer for Part 3 discussion.
Describe Something That Helped You Learn Another Language
You should say:
- what it was
- how you used it
- why you chose to learn that language
and explain how this thing helped you.
Model Answer:
The best help I’ve ever had with learning a foreign language was a book on beginner’s German.
I read one chapter every day until I could grasp a decent amount of the language. Each chapter was like a school lesson that taught a particular aspect of the language such as food, telling the time and asking for directions. Every few chapters there was a short test to let you know how much you’d taken in. It was an excellent system of organizing the book.
I chose to learn German because l had studied it a little at school and I found it easier than other languages. I’d also been to Germany many times and had an interest in the country and its culture. I felt that learning the language would help me understand Germany. I also thought that German was quite similar to English and so would be easy to pick up.
The book helped me a lot by motivating me to learn. Without a structure to follow, Ii usually lose focus and give up, so having my learning organized for me already was a great help. I could also take it with me anywhere and so I could learn almost anywhere, even at work and on public transport. The great thing about books is that they’re so easy to use and ‘ durable; you don’t need any fancy equipment to read a book. I found the book especially helpful as a quick reference guide when I wanted to check something. The only problem was that I could only read it, not listen to it, so I couldn’t learn pronunciation.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Question and Sample Answer:
What are some reasons why people learn a foreign language?
People learn foreign languages for all sorts of reasons. For some it’s out of necessity to move abroad and start a new life in another country. They may find themselves like a fish out of water unless they can communicate with the natives. For others learning a language is a skill they‘d like to learn, but don’t have to in order to succeed. People living in linguistically-diverse areas like Europe may want to learn a language to enable them to travel abroad and understand a foreign culture, and get more out of their holidays. They can also read foreign books and watch foreign films without having to use translation. Others simply enjoy learning for learning‘s sake and relish the intellectual challenge.
What are the benefits of learning a foreign language?
The obvious benefit of learning a foreign language is the ability to communicate with people who speak that language. In some cases, they can open up a world of possibilities for you. For instance, Spanish is spoken widely throughout South and North America, so even a basic grasp of the language can help you get by when talking to people in that part of the world. If you’re involved in business that trades with foreign companies, being able to speak to them in their native tongue can make things go a lot more smoothly. Now that China is becoming a major player in the world there’re a lot more people learning Mandarin, as well as many Chinese people who are learning English.
What are the ways that a person can learn a foreign language?
There are thousands of books and CDs out on the market to help you learn a foreign language. In fact they‘re a dime a dozen. But by far the best way to learn is to go to a country that speaks the language you want to learn and interact with the locals. That way you’ll seen be on the fast track to speaking like a native, as you are constantly being exposed to the words and pronunciation you must learn if you are to become proficient. Learning from material resources is a lot easier than actually going abroad, and they can certainly help you get on the fight lines, but they aren’t very useful beyond beginner’s level. At the very least you should try to get a teacher who’s a native Speaker. That way you can learn authentic pronunciation and they can tell you with authority what is correct or not.
What do you think is the most difficult part of learning another language?
Languages are extremely varied and can sometimes have totally different systems of writing, grammar and speech. This is a natural consequence of history, where people developed in many places and with diverse cultures. For an English speaking person trying to learn Chinese, the writing system is totally alien, and it can be very hard to get your head around the idea of characters. Another problem area is pronunciation. Once we become adults it’s very hard for us to use our mouths in new ways, so pronouncing foreign words can be a nightmare. This can often lead to some hilarious misunderstandings as people pronounce words incorrectly.
Do you think language learning is more important for young people than it is for older people?
It certainly seems more important that young people become mum-lingual, because they will live in an increasingly international world. Advances in technology have brought different parts of the world closer together, and we can now talk to someone on the opposite side of the globe instantaneously via the Internet or on the phone. Older people grew up in a different time, where many of them didn’t look beyond our own front door. Local communities were strong, and were often all that people knew. With an increasingly integrated global economy, language learning is no longer a luxury but may be a necessity to succeed.
Who do you think is more willing to learn a foreign language, young people or old people?
I’d say that younger people are definitely more willing to learn a foreign language. They are less set in their ways than old people, who grew up in a very different environment where they probably didn’t know many foreigners. Young people are much more likely to be interested in different countries’ cultures and ways of life, and so they are more likely to learn a foreign language. It’s also easier for young people to pick up new skills, as their brains are still adaptable to new ideas and information. Many old people who would like to learn a foreign language say that it is “too late” for them now and that they’re “past it”.
Who do you think is more enthusiastic about learning a foreign language, children or adults?
Children can be more enthusiastic if they have a reason to be interested in the foreign language. For instance, if they enjoy foreign cartoons or movies, they may want to learn the language too. However, if a child doesn’t see a reason to learn something, they probably won’t. Adults are more mature and better at seeing the big picture. They can plan for the long term and may be enthused to learn a language for their career or personal fulfillment. Children tend to get enthusiastic only if they have direct contact with the foreign language.
Who do you think finds it easier to learn a foreign language, children or adults?
Studies have shown that it’s a lot easier for children to learn a foreign language. Their brain is still able to shape itself to new information easily and is much more adaptable than an adult brain, no matter how intelligent the adult is. Children growing up in a foreign country often take a new language like a duck to water. They learn it just as they learn their native tongue, and this often gives them perfect pronunciation.