Welcome to IELTS TIME! I’m Archer, and today we’re tackling Speaking Part 2: Describe an online video where you learned something new. We’ll hear Joseph’s response, covering when and where he watched it, the video’s content, his reasons for watching, and what he learned. Let’s dive in!
I watched this TED Talk a few weeks ago, I think it was while I was waiting for the bus, so I just pulled it up on my phone. It was a talk about language learning, and although I can’t recall the speaker’s name, the message was really powerful.
I decided to watch it because I’ve been thinking a lot about language learning lately, and I was looking for some inspiration and maybe a new perspective. I often get frustrated with myself when I try to speak and make mistakes, so the title of the talk, which was something along the lines of ‘attitude over accuracy,’ really grabbed my attention.
The talk itself centered around the idea that when learning a language, your attitude is more important than being grammatically perfect. The speaker illustrated this with a story about being in a pharmacy and needing to buy omega supplements. She explained how she was confused by all the different types and asked a sales assistant for help. The first assistant, while clearly knowledgeable about the products, seemed to panic a bit when faced with a native speaker asking a question. Perhaps worried about making a mistake herself, she responded with a flurry of technical jargon about DHA and EPA, which the speaker didn’t understand. She left the interaction even more confused. Then, she spoke to another sales assistant who had a completely different demeanor. This person, in contrast, was confident and not at all afraid to engage with the native speaker. She simply pointed to one supplement and said, ‘EPA for heart,’ and another and said, ‘DHA for brain,’ and then asked, ‘Your heart okay or not?’ The speaker immediately understood and felt heard.
What I learned from this example, and the talk as a whole, was that effective communication isn’t about being perfectly correct grammatically. It’s about connecting with the other person, understanding their needs, and making yourself understood, even if you have to simplify things or use gestures. It’s about being confident and not being afraid of making mistakes. The speaker’s anecdote about the pharmacy really brought this home for me. It made me realize that I shouldn’t let my fear of making mistakes hold me back from communicating. It’s much more important to be brave and try, even if I stumble a bit, than to stay silent out of fear of being judged.
Welcome back to IELTS TIME. Joseph shared a really insightful experience about learning from an online video. He talked about a TED Talk he watched about language learning, focusing on the idea that attitude is more important than accuracy. The speaker shared a compelling anecdote about her own experience in a pharmacy, where she encountered two different sales assistants .One, despite being knowledgeable, was too afraid to communicate simply with a native speaker. The other, however, managed to communicate effectively with simple words and gestures, even though her English was limited.
Joseph’s takeaway? Effective communication is about connection, not perfection. It’s about confidence and being brave enough to try, even if you make mistakes.
Now, what can we learn from Joseph’s response? He structured his answer clearly, covering all the key points: when and where he watched the video, what it was about, why he chose it, and what he learned. He also used a strong example from the video to illustrate his point – the story about the pharmacy. This is a great strategy for Speaking Part 2. A well-chosen anecdote can bring your answer to life and make it more memorable. Notice how Joseph didn’t just summarize the story; he focused on the impact it had on him, how it made him realize he shouldn’t let fear hold him back. That personal connection is what makes the response compelling.
Let’s think about some other examples you could use for this cue card. Maybe you watched a YouTube video about cooking a new dish. You could talk about the challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the satisfaction of finally tasting your creation. For example, I recently tried making a complex Thai curry after watching a video tutorial. I completely messed up the spice balance the first time – it was way too hot! But I didn’t give up. I went back to the video, watched it again, and this time I paid closer attention to the chef’s instructions. The second attempt was much better, and it was so rewarding to finally create a dish that tasted authentic and delicious. This experience taught me the importance of perseverance, even when things don’t go perfectly at first, just like the language learning TED Talk Joseph described. Or perhaps you watched a documentary about climate change. You could discuss the facts you learned, how it made you feel, and what actions you might take as a result. Maybe you learned a new skill, like coding, from an online tutorial. You could share your initial struggles, the “aha” moments, and the sense of accomplishment you felt when you finally built something that worked. A lot of people find coding frustrating initially, but the feeling of finally getting a program to run correctly can be incredibly motivating. It’s similar to the feeling of finally communicating effectively in a new language, even if you make mistakes along the way.
The key is to choose a video that you genuinely connected with, something that sparked your curiosity or changed your perspective. Think about the specific details: where were you when you watched it? What was the speaker like? What was the most memorable part? The more details you include, the more engaging your response will be. And remember, it’s not just about what you learned, but how it impacted you. Did it change your thinking? Did it inspire you to take action? Reflecting on the impact will make your answer more personal and meaningful. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings and emotions. It’s okay to say that a video made you feel inspired, or sad, or even angry. Authenticity is key to a good Speaking Part 2 response.
So, to recap: Choose a video that resonates with you. Describe it vividly, using specific details and a compelling example. And most importantly, reflect on what you learned and how it affected you. That’s all for today’s episode. See you next time!
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