Competition

Welcome to the IELTS TIME podcast! I’m your host, Archer, and in today’s episode, we’re diving into the topic of Competition for IELTS Speaking Part 3.

In a moment, you’ll hear a model dialogue featuring Joseph, who responds to a series of questions on this topic. As you listen, pay close attention to how he develops his ideas, uses advanced vocabulary, and structures his answers.

Alright, let’s get into it!

What qualities do competitive people share?

From my perspective, competitive people often share a few key qualities.

Firstly, a strong drive to succeed is almost always present. It’s not just about wanting to win, but a deep-seated need to achieve their goals, whether that’s in sports, academics, or their career. This drive fuels their hard work and persistence.

Secondly, I’d say resilience is crucial. Competitive individuals face setbacks and failures like anyone else, but they tend to bounce back quickly. They don’t get easily discouraged; instead, they learn from their mistakes and use them as fuel to try harder next time. They have that mental toughness to keep going even when things get tough.

Thirdly, self-discipline is a big one. To be competitive, you often have to make sacrifices and put in consistent effort. This means setting strict routines, sticking to goals, and pushing through when motivation might wane. It’s about doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it.

Finally, I think many competitive people possess a good deal of focus. They can block out distractions and concentrate intensely on the task at hand, whether it’s practicing a skill, studying for an exam, or strategizing in a game. This ability to concentrate helps them maximize their efforts and perform at their best.

What kinds of contests do students like to take part in?

I find that it really depends on their personal interests and what they’re good at, but there are some clear categories.

For instance, academic competitions are incredibly popular. We see a lot of students keen on things like math and science challenges, which are perfect for those who love solving complex problems and thinking critically. Then there are also many essay and writing contests. These really appeal to students interested in humanities, giving them a fantastic platform to express their ideas and hone their writing skills, often exploring current global issues. And of course, debate and public speaking contests are huge; they’re brilliant for building confidence, sharpening argumentation skills, and learning to articulate thoughts clearly.

Beyond academics, creative and artistic contests are a massive draw. You’ll find students diving into art and design competitions, covering everything from painting and drawing to photography and digital art. It’s a wonderful outlet for self-expression. Then, for those with performing talents, music and dance competitions are a big deal. Whether it’s instrumental, vocal, or various dance styles, these give students a fantastic chance to showcase their abilities on a public stage.

Something that’s really picking up steam among students is innovation and technology contests. Robotics and coding competitions are incredibly engaging for students interested in STEM fields. It’s so practical to build and program robots or develop software solutions.

Why don’t some people want to be competitive?

I think there are quite a few reasons why some people might not want to be competitive, or at least not in every aspect of their lives.

One major factor is often the fear of failure. For some, the idea of competing and potentially losing can be incredibly daunting. It might feel like their self-worth is on the line, and the thought of not measuring up to others can be very stressful. They might prefer to avoid situations where that feeling of inadequacy could arise.

Then there’s also the element of pressure. Competition, by its nature, often comes with a lot of pressure – to perform well, to win, to meet expectations. Some individuals simply find this level of pressure overwhelming and prefer to engage in activities for the sheer enjoyment or for personal growth, rather than with the added burden of trying to outperform someone else.

Another point is that some people simply value cooperation over competition. They might believe that teamwork (which involves working together, collaborating, and supporting each other)leads to better outcomes and a more positive environment. For them, a highly competitive atmosphere might feel counterproductive or even lead to negative interpersonal relationships, which they’d rather avoid. They might find more satisfaction in collective achievements.

And, you know, some people might also feel that being overly competitive can lead to unhealthy behaviors or a distorted sense of priorities. They might worry about becoming too focused on “winning at all costs,” which could lead to cutting corners, sacrificing well-being, or even damaging relationships. They might prioritize balance, mental health, or integrity over the pursuit of being “the best.”

So, while competition can definitely be motivating for many, for others, the fear of failure, the pressure, a preference for cooperation, or a desire to maintain a healthier perspective can all be strong reasons why they choose not to embrace a competitive mindset.

How can a person become more competitive?

I think one of the most important steps is to set clear, challenging goals. If you don’t have a specific target, it’s hard to know what you’re even competing for. These goals should be ambitious enough to push you but still realistic. For instance, if it’s academics, aiming for a certain grade in a difficult subject, or if it’s a sport, trying to shave a few seconds off your personal best.

Secondly, I’d say embracing a growth mindset is crucial. This means viewing challenges and even failures not as roadblocks, but as opportunities to learn and improve. A competitive person doesn’t get bogged down by mistakes; they analyze what went wrong, adapt, and come back stronger. It’s about believing that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.

Another key aspect is to develop discipline and consistency. Competitiveness isn’t about one-off bursts of effort; it’s about consistent practice and effort over time. Whether it’s training regularly, studying consistently, or refining a skill, steady progress is what really builds that competitive edge. This also involves time management and prioritizing tasks effectively.

Furthermore, I believe it’s important to learn from others. This doesn’t mean copying, but observing what successful people in your field or area of interest do well. How do they train? How do they approach problems? What strategies do they use? You can pick up valuable insights and adapt them to your own approach. This also extends to getting constructive feedback, even if it’s critical, and using it to improve.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is building mental resilience. Competition often comes with pressure and setbacks. A more competitive person learns to manage stress, stay calm under pressure, and maintain focus even when things aren’t going their way.

So, in essence, it’s a combination of setting ambitious goals, having a growth-oriented mindset, being disciplined, learning from others, and building strong mental fortitude. It’s definitely a journey, not just a destination.

Do you think parents should encourage their children to take part in competitions?

I think, yes, parents should encourage their children to take part in competitions, but it’s crucial how they go about it.

On the positive side, competitions offer so many valuable life lessons. Children learn about perseverance and hard work because success rarely comes without effort. They develop resilience by experiencing both wins and losses – learning to cope with disappointment and bounce back is a huge skill for life. Competitions can also foster self-discipline, as kids have to practice and stick to commitments. For team activities, they learn crucial social skills like communication, cooperation, and sportsmanship. And of course, achieving goals in any competition, big or small, can significantly boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem. It helps them discover their own strengths and push their limits.

However, parents need to manage this encouragement carefully to avoid the potential downsides. The biggest risk is creating excessive pressure on the child, where the focus becomes solely on winning rather than participation and growth. This can lead to anxiety, burnout, or a fear of failure that makes them avoid challenges. It’s also important that parents don’t tie their child’s worth to their performance. If a child feels loved only when they win, that’s a very unhealthy message.

So, the key for parents is to encourage healthy competition. This means emphasizing personal growth and effort over just the outcome. Celebrating improvement and hard work, regardless of winning or losing, is vital. They should help children set realistic goals and learn from setbacks, teaching them that failure is a part of learning. Ultimately, the goal should be to help the child find joy in the activity itself and to develop valuable life skills, rather than just chasing trophies.

What are the advantages of competition?

Competition, when it’s healthy, brings a lot of advantages, not just for individuals but for broader society and even in the economic sense.

From a personal development standpoint, competition often acts as a huge motivator. It pushes people to work harder, develop new skills, and constantly strive for self-improvement. Think about athletes training for a race – the competition isn’t just about winning, it’s about pushing their own physical and mental limits. It also builds resilience because you inevitably face setbacks, and learning to bounce back from those is a vital life skill. People learn to analyze their performance, identify weaknesses, and then put in the effort to overcome them. Plus, achieving goals in a competitive environment can really boost confidence and self-esteem.

On a larger scale, especially in business and the economy, competition is incredibly beneficial. It primarily drives innovation. Companies are constantly trying to outdo each other, which means they invest in research and development, come up with new ideas, and improve their products and services. This leads to better quality goods and services for consumers. It also tends to lower prices because businesses are vying for customers, forcing them to be more efficient and offer better value. Consumers benefit from more choice, better quality, and more affordable options.

So, whether it’s in personal pursuits, sports, or the marketplace, competition, when fair and managed well, can really push individuals and systems to perform at their best, leading to significant growth and benefits for everyone involved.

Welcome back! We just heard Joseph’s excellent responses to a series of questions on the topic of “Competition.” Joseph clearly put a lot of thought into his answers, and there’s a lot we can learn.

Just a quick reminder before we dive in—Joseph’s answers are a bit longer than what you’d typically give in the real test. In Part 3, you’ll want to aim for responses around 40 to 60 seconds each, but here we allowed more time to explore useful vocabulary and develop rich ideas. So, think of these as model answers to help expand your skills!

So let’s dive into some highlights, focusing on the main points Joseph made and how he developed his ideas effectively.

Starting with the very first question, “What qualities do competitive people share?” Joseph clearly outlined four key traits: a strong drive to succeed, crucial resilience to bounce back from setbacks, strong self-discipline for consistent effort, and a high degree of focus to block out distractions. Notice how he developed each point with a brief explanation, like how drive fuels hard work and persistence.

Moving on to “What kinds of contests do students like to take part in?” Joseph categorized student preferences into three main areas: academic competitions, creative and artistic contests, and innovation and technology contests. He didn’t just list them; he elaborated on why students like them, mentioning benefits like problem-solving, self-expression, and practical application. His use of phrases like “incredibly popular,” “massive draw,” and “picking up steam” added natural emphasis.

When asked, “Why don’t some people want to be competitive?” Joseph provided several nuanced reasons. He first mentioned the fear of failure, then the overwhelming pressure, followed by a preference for cooperation over competition, and finally, concerns about unhealthy behaviors. He developed these ideas by explaining the underlying feelings, like “self-worth on the line” or finding “more satisfaction in collective achievements.” His use of transitions like “One major factor is” and “Then there’s also the element of” helped guide us through his points.

For “How can a person become more competitive?” Joseph offered practical advice. He stressed the importance of setting clear, challenging goals, embracing a growth mindset, developing discipline and consistency, learning from others, and building mental resilience. He consistently explained how to achieve these, for instance, by analyzing mistakes or observing successful people, making his advice very actionable.

Next, for “Do you think parents should encourage their children to take part in competitions?” Joseph presented a balanced view. He argued yes, parents should encourage it, citing benefits like perseverance, resilience, and confidence. However, he crucially warned against excessive pressure and linking a child’s self-worth to winning. He developed these opposing ideas clearly, using phrases like “On the positive side” and “However, parents need to manage this encouragement carefully.”

Finally, for “What are the advantages of competition?” Joseph clearly outlined its many benefits on two levels. Personally, he explained how it acts as a motivator and builds resilience. On a larger scale, particularly in business, he detailed how competition drives innovation, leads to better quality goods and services, and lowers prices. He developed these points by providing examples, such as athletes pushing limits or companies vying for customers.

Overall, Joseph’s responses are consistently well-organized, making it easy to follow his line of thought. He doesn’t just state ideas; he develops them with explanations and examples. This ability to elaborate ideas, present clear arguments, and structure responses logically is exactly what you need in Part 3.

Thanks for listening! We hope you now have some solid ideas on how to tackle this topic. Until next time, keep practicing and speak with confidence.