Describe an English lesson that you enjoyed - IELTS Cue Card

Introduction to IELTS Cue Card

The IELTS speaking section is 11-14 minutes long. The IELTS exam consists of three parts, one of which is the cue card task. In this section, the conversation between the examiner and the candidate revolves around a main theme. A prompt is provided to the candidate on a small card with the topic mentioned on it, along with the pointers. In IELTS speaking part 2, the scores are based on fluency, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. 

How to Answer the Cue Card

It is crucial that the candidate speaks for about 2-3 minutes on the topic, covering all the pointers. This comprehensive approach will demonstrate the candidate's thorough understanding of the topic. Additionally, the examiner may ask follow-up questions and build a conversation with the examinee. The candidate must frame the answer on the below-mentioned pointers for the topic "Describe an English lesson that you enjoyed."

• What was taught in the class?
• When did you take the class?
• Where was it?
• What did the teacher do that made you enjoy it?

It is vital to plan your answer in the given time frame. Moreover, these pointers are for the candidates’ reference to form a structured response.

Let us now look at what a cue card looks like in the IELTS speaking section.

Sample 1 - Describe an English Lesson That You Enjoyed

Look at a sample that you could use in your IELTS speaking section.

Introduction

I enjoy studying literature, and there is one specific incident that made me fall in love with the language even more. One fine morning, Mrs. Raisha, our English teacher, took our English lecture to the ground instead of our classroom. She taught us a captivating poem by John Keats, Ode to a Nightingale.

What was taught in the class?

It wasn’t just the textual erudition that I earned there was more to it. I feel like Mrs. Raisha gave us a vital lesson for life through the poem.

Life is full of misery and setbacks, however, there is joy and pleasure as well. Moreover, the poem teaches us that whether good or bad, nothing lasts forever.

When did you take the class?

I vividly recall it was a congenial spring morning. The scenic beauty of the ground made the poem more interesting. Moreover, the essence of the poem made more sense because of the pleasant weather.

Where was it?

This lecture took place in the school playground. The English teacher instructed the entire class to form a line and vamoose out of the class. She asked us to carry our books and move out of the class.

What did the teacher do that made you enjoy it?

Mrs. Raisha is indeed a great pedagogue. Her dedication and allegiance made us all fall in love with the language. She used an interactive approach to teach us lessons each time. She encouraged us to explore the depth of our imagination and creativity.

Conclusion

The lesson ignited my enthusiasm for writing and the language. The spark of creativity that I felt is indescribable. I believe that this kind of teaching fosters passion and zeal in students.

Sample 2 - Describe an English Lesson That You Enjoyed

Here is a second sample that you could use for your cue card task preparation.

Introduction

English has been a widely spoken language all across the globe for centuries. The evolution of English has been remarkable from the Elizabethan era to the modern contemporary era, and the language has marked its transition. I was a literature student in my college. Moreover, I particularly enjoyed reading about Shakespeare and his tragedies. Once, the main teacher was on leave and instead, a substitute teacher took the class.

What was taught in the class?

The topic for the lecture was “Hamlet” by Shakespeare. Although Shakespearean tragedies seem a little boring, Mr. Singh made it seem alluring. Besides, the gist of the novel is that the protagonist has hamartia. He procrastinates important decisions which leads to suffering and calamity in the end.

When did you take the class?

I took the class in January, the first month in the Georgian calendar. It was the initial days of the first semester in college and starting with such a heavy topic was overwhelming.

Where was it?

It was a usual college lecture in the classroom. However, it felt as if I was witnessing the story firsthand.

What did the teacher do that made you enjoy it?

The way Mr. Singh narrated the story was very captivating and interesting. Moreover, he asked us to imagine ourselves stepping in the shoes of the main character. Further, he encouraged us to unleash our imagination and explore different scenarios, fostering our love for creativity and writing.

Conclusion

It is because of Mr. Singh that I started to think beyond the text. His synergic approach made me enjoy his class to the fullest. He made me realize learning can be fun and interesting.

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Sample 3 - Describe an English Lesson That You Enjoyed

Here is another sample that you could refer to for your IELTS speaking part 2.

Introduction

It is said that “Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning.” I took an English masterclass during summer vacations in school. Mrs. Yogita, the tutor, made the class even more interesting by making us play a fun memory game. The class covered basic grammar topics such as synonyms, antonyms, and more. One had to memorize all the words spoken by the previous players.

What was taught in the class?

It was a grammar enhancement class. The topics that were covered in the class were tenses, synonyms, antonyms, prepositions, and adjectives.

When did you take the class?

I was in class 7th when I took the class. As I recall it was during summer vacations in the school. I wanted to embellish my vocabulary and language skills.

Where was it?

Mrs. Yogita took the lesson in the school library. It was a propitious and cozy environment. Their bookshelves were filled with classic novels.

What did the teacher do that made you enjoy it?

One of the reasons why I enjoyed the class was because I got to learn in such a unique way. Besides, the session instilled in me the fact that learning could be fun too. Mrs. Yogita asked all the students to form small groups and play the grammar game.

Conclusion

The session kindled my love for the language. I feel fortunate enough that I could learn so much from Mrs. Yogita. I believe the experience has stayed with me and shaped me.

Lexical Resources

These are language resources that show flexibility and fluency in the correct words used in the speaking task. Using these resources expands candidates' vocabulary for IELTS.

Lexical Resources	Meaning
Captivating	Holding your attention by being extremely interesting or attractive
Erudition	Great knowledge or learning
Congenial	Pleasing
Vamoose	Depart hurriedly
Pedagogue	A teacher
Allegiance	Commitment
Zeal	Great energy or eagerness
Elizabethan	15th and 16th century
Modern Contemporary	19th century to present
Alluring	Fascinating
Protagonist	Main character in the novel
Hamartia	Fatal flaw that leads to the downfall of tragic hero.
Fostering	To help or encourage the development
Synergic	Working together
Propitious	Favourable; likely to produce a successful result
Embellish	To make something more beautiful and interesting.
Instilled	To make somebody think or feel something
Kindled	To start something interesting

It is vital to use idioms and phrases in your speaking task. This attracts the examiner and gives the impression that the candidate is well-versed.

Now, let us look at some follow-up questions and tips to ace the IELTS cue cards task.

Follow-up Questions

In the speaking section, after the candidate speaks on the topic, the examiner may ask some follow-up questions. Further, the conversation between the candidate and the examiner goes on for a few minutes. Here are some follow-up questions that they may ask:

1. Do you believe that grammar is a vital aspect of the IELTS speaking section?
2. In your opinion, is English one of the most challenging foreign languages?
3. In your opinion, can technology replace teachers?
4. Have you thought about any story where you played the protagonist?
5. What part in the Shakespeare novels interests you the most?

Preparing for follow-up questions is also an important part of the IELTS training. Let us now look at some tips to ace the cue card task.

Tips to Excel in IELTS Cue Card

The speaking section is the smallest part of the exam. However, it requires the most practice. The scores are based on confidence and fluency. Below mentioned are some tips that will help you excel in the speaking task.

• Taking down notes and bullet points is a great way to structure your response for the cue card task.
• IELTS mock test helps you prepare better and also manage your time in the task.
• Try speaking on different topics; this will not only improve your fluency but also give you confidence.
• Inculcate the habit of reading every day in your preparation. Reading newspapers, classic novels, and magazines is a great way to improve your language skills.
• The speech/response must be around the theme and should cover the pointers given on the cue card.

Now that you have read the samples, follow-up questions, and tips for acing your speaking section, let us recap it.

Related IELTS Cue Card Topics

1. Describe a Long Car Journey You Went On
2. Describe an Area of Science That Interests You
3. Describe Someone Who Often Helps Others
4. Describe a Sportsperson That You Admire
5. Describe a Piece of Good Advice That You Gave to Someone

Conclusion

To wrap up, the IELTS speaking section needs a lot of practice. Moreover, confidence and fluency are the two most important things required to master this section. Making proper strategies to structure the responses is essential.

Thus, give this blog a read. It covers various samples of “Describe an English lesson that you enjoyed.” Further, some follow-up questions and tips will help you ace your speaking task.