Part 1 : Introduction & Interview
Topic 1: Study
Examiner: Do you work or are you a student?
I’m a full-time student in my final year of Electrical Engineering. It’s a pretty demanding program — between lectures, labs, and group projects, my schedule fills up quickly — but I enjoy the practical side of it.
Candidate: What is the most challenging aspect of your studies?
The toughest part is juggling several deadlines at once. We often have long-term projects running alongside weekly assignments, so keeping everything organized can get stressful. I’ve had to develop a much more disciplined routine to stay on top of it all.
Examiner: Why did you choose to study Electrical Engineering?
Candidate: I chose it mainly because it’s a field with clear, practical applications. When I looked at different majors, this one seemed to offer a good balance between theory and real problem-solving, especially in areas like energy and automation. It also gives me a wide range of career paths to explore later.
Topic 2: Free Time and Hobbies
Examiner: let’s move on to free time and hobbies. What do you usually do in your free time?
Candidate: When I have some free time, I usually head out for a hike. Getting away from the city for a few hours really helps me clear my head, and it’s a nice contrast to spending so much time indoors with my studies.
Examiner: How important is it for people to have hobbies?
Candidate: I think hobbies are very important because they give you something enjoyable to focus on outside your responsibilities. They help you relax and break up your routine, which makes it easier to stay mentally balanced. Without hobbies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Examiner: Have your hobbies changed since you were a child?
Candidate: Yes, quite a bit. When I was younger, most of my free time was spent playing video games or reading comics. These days I prefer activities that get me moving or let me learn practical skills. My interests shifted naturally as my lifestyle changed.
Topic 3: Clothes
Examiner: Alright. Now I’d like to ask you some questions about clothes.What kind of clothes do you enjoy wearing?
Candidate: I usually go for clothes that are comfortable and easy to move around in. Since I spend a lot of time on campus, I stick to things like jeans, trainers, and simple T-shirts. I only dress up when there’s a specific reason to.
Examiner: Do you spend a lot of money on clothes?
Candidate: Not really. My budget is limited, so I try to buy a few durable, good-quality pieces rather than constantly shopping for trends. It keeps things simple and saves money in the long run.
Examiner: Do you think people pay too much attention to what they wear?
Candidate: Some people definitely do. Looking presentable is fine, but I think society puts too much emphasis on brands and labels. It turns clothing into a status symbol rather than something practical or expressive.
Topic 4: Public Transport
Examiner: Finally, let’s talk about public transport. How often do you use public transport?
Candidate: I use it almost every day. The subway is the quickest way to get to my university, and it saves me the hassle of dealing with traffic or parking.
Examiner: What are the advantages of using public transport?
Candidate: It’s convenient and affordable, and it also helps cut down on traffic. On top of that, it’s much better for the environment than having everyone drive their own cars.
Examiner: How could public transport be improved in your area?
Candidate: The biggest improvement would be expanding the routes to the suburban areas. Those places don’t have enough coverage, so people end up relying on cars. More frequent services would also make the system more appealing.
Part 2: Individual Long Turn
Examiner: Now, I’m going to give you a topic, and I’d like you to talk about it for one to two minutes. Before you start speaking, you will have one minute to think about what you are going to say, and you can make some notes if you wish. Do you understand?
Candidate: Yes, I do.
Examiner: Here is your task card.
(The Examiner hands the candidate the following task card and provides paper and a pencil.)
Describe a skill that you learned recently.
You should say:
- what the skill is
- when and how you learned it
- why you decided to learn this skill
- and explain how this skill has helped you.
(Candidate takes one minute to prepare.)
Examiner: Your minute of preparation time is over. Please start speaking now.
Candidate:
One skill I learned recently is basic video editing, something I picked up about three months ago. To put it in context, I had to create a short promotional clip for a student project, and hiring someone wasn’t really an option. So, I started experimenting with a beginner-friendly editing program called DaVinci Resolve.
In terms of how I learned it, it was a mix of trial and error and a few targeted online tutorials. I didn’t follow a full course; instead, I looked up specific techniques whenever I got stuck—things like cutting clips smoothly, adjusting the audio levels, and adding simple transitions. It was surprisingly hands-on because I had to apply each trick immediately to my project, which helped everything stick.
As for why I decided to learn it, there were two main reasons. First, visual communication has become such a big part of how people share ideas, especially among students and young professionals. I felt that if I didn’t pick up at least the basics, I’d be missing out on a really useful tool. Second, the project I was working on depended heavily on presenting information in a clear and engaging way, and a polished video made a much stronger impression than a static slideshow.
In terms of how the skill has helped me, it’s been more useful than I expected. Since learning the basics, I’ve been asked to help with a few other small projects, and it’s even strengthened my presentations in class. More importantly, I’ve become more confident experimenting with creative formats instead of relying on traditional written reports all the time. It’s a skill that started as a necessity but has turned into something I genuinely enjoy developing further.
Examiner: Thank you. Do you think all students should learn practical skills alongside academic subjects?
Candidate: Oh, definitely! I think mixing academic knowledge with practical skills like budgeting or basic repairs is crucial for making sure students are actually ready for real life, not just exams.
Part 3: Discussion
Examiner: We’ve been talking about a skill you learned recently. Now I’d like to move on to some more general questions related to this topic.
Learning and Education
Examiner: What kinds of skills do you think will be important for young people in the future?
Candidate: Beyond the obvious technical skills, such as coding and digital literacy, I believe the most critical skills will be those related to adaptability and critical thinking. The job market is changing so rapidly due to automation that young people will need to be lifelong learners, constantly acquiring new knowledge and adapting to new paradigms. Furthermore, emotional intelligence and collaborative skills will become essential, as roles shift toward human-centric problem-solving and teamwork that machines cannot replicate.
Examiner: What are the advantages and disadvantages of online learning compared to traditional classroom instruction?
Candidate: Online learning offers tremendous flexibility and accessibility, allowing students to learn at their own pace and from anywhere in the world, which is a huge advantage for remote or non-traditional students. However, it definitely has drawbacks. It requires a high degree of self-discipline and motivation, and many students struggle with the lack of in-person interaction and the immediate feedback loop of a classroom. This can lead to a sense of isolation and, for some subjects, the absence of practical, hands-on lab experience is a significant limitation.
Examiner: How can people be encouraged to continue learning throughout their lives?
Candidate: I think the key lies in shifting the perception of learning from a formal chore to a continuous, personal endeavor. Governments and companies can incentivize this by offering tax breaks or subsidies for adult education courses and professional development. Furthermore, creating easily accessible, bite-sized learning content—like specialized online modules—can make the process seem less daunting. Ultimately, showing people how continuous learning directly leads to personal fulfillment and improved career prospects is the most powerful encouragement.
Examiner: Do you think modern technology, such as AI, will eventually replace human teachers in the classroom?
Candidate: That’s a fascinating, but perhaps alarmist, question. While I believe AI will fundamentally transform the teaching profession, I don’t think it will completely replace human teachers. Technology is exceptionally good at handling the logistical and repetitive aspects of education—things like automated grading, personalized drills, and tracking student progress. This will free up teachers to focus on the truly human element of education: providing mentorship, fostering creativity, encouraging critical debate, and offering emotional support. The future classroom will likely feature a highly efficient collaboration between the teacher and an AI assistant.
Examiner: What role should schools play in teaching students practical life skills?
Candidate: Schools should absolutely take on a greater responsibility for teaching practical life skills. While academic subjects are crucial, skills like personal finance, basic first aid, healthy cooking, and effective communication/negotiation are fundamental to functioning successfully in the adult world. These subjects should be integrated into the curriculum, not just treated as optional extras, because graduating students should be equipped not only with knowledge but with the competence to manage their daily lives.
Examiner: Do you think it is beneficial for students to specialize in one subject at a young age?
Candidate: I would argue that specializing too early is generally detrimental. While allowing a child to explore a particular passion is good, forced, narrow specialization can create a knowledge vacuum in other areas. A broad, well-rounded education in the early stages fosters creativity and helps students develop diverse perspectives and fundamental critical thinking skills. Premature specialization can also lead to career inflexibility later on. The focus at a young age should be on exploring potential, not limiting it.
Examiner: Thank you. That is the end of the speaking test.
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