Describe a time when you first talked in a foreign language
Describe a time when you first talked in a foreign language IELTS cue card
Describe a time when you first talked in a foreign language.
IELTS Cue Card Topic
You should say
Where were you?
Who were you with?
What did you talk about?
And explain how you felt about it?
Sample Answer 1
Introduction
We all are quite perfect in our native language. But when it comes to speaking in a foreign language, the task becomes daunting. Last week I got a chance to make use of the little knowledge I have of the French language. That was the first time in my life when I talked to someone in a foreign language.
Where were you and who were you with?
I went to my college reunion. There I met my bosom friends after a very long time.
We had done many activities during that day, and for the evening we planned to have dinner at a theme restaurant.
Since there was a lot of rush for dinner, we had to wait in the waiting lounge for a brief period.
During that time, one of my friends introduced me to her friend, who was her colleague and had come from France to see India.
She was feeling secluded, so I tried to initiate a conversation with her. She immediately replied “No English, Only French”.
Although I have little knowledge of the French language, I tried to make efficient use of whatever I knew.
What did you talk about?
We initially talked about general things like hobbies, interests, likes and dislikes.
Later on, our conversation shifted to health and fitness.
That lady is 42 years old, but she looks like as if she is in the late twenties.
When I had asked her the reason for her fitness, she told me that she lays excessive focus on her diet.
As per her opinion, the contribution of exercise is just 20 per cent, and the bulk of your fitness depends upon diet management.
She further told me that what you eat, when you eat and how you eat is more important than how much do you exercise per day.
At the end of our discussion, she told me the recipe of her fitness. And that is eating more of fresh green leafy vegetables, avoid junk food, take your meals between 7 am to 7 pm and chew every bite of food at least 32 times.
The discussion I had that day will always remain etched in my memories for two reasons. Firstly, I had realized that I could speak French and secondly, I gained valuable inputs on how to maintain good health.
Sample Answer 2
Introduction
- India is a country with a lot of diversity, and it is a daunting task to know all languages in India because languages differ from region to region.
- As far as a foreign language is concerned, it is a herculean task to know and utter the other nation’s language.
- Today I am going to discuss an instance when I spoke in a foreign language to converse with a kid.
Where were you?
- The chance came to me during a family wedding function
- My close relatives came from France with their families about a year ago for twenty days.
- One of them works with an IT company in France.
- His family consists of four members, my uncle, his better half and two sons
- My uncle, aunt and their elder son could converse in the native language.
- But the younger son could communicate in French only.
What did you talk about?
Luckily, I have a little bit of knowledge of the French language because I have been planning to pursue my graduation from a reputed university of France for two years, so I took admission in French language classes 1 year back.
Although I do not have much knowledge, I still can converse with others in this language
And explain how you felt about it?
- So on a few occasions, when the little kid had asked some questions, I tried my best to answer in the French language.
- People think that speaking French is easy because it uses the same alphabets which are used in the English language, but learning this language is an uphill task.
- I never feel confident while speaking French
- So the little kid forced me in a way to speak French
Sample Answer 3
Introduction
- I faintly remember the first time I conversed in a foreign language was when I was barely 8 years old
Where were you?
- The opportunity came to me in school
Who were you with?
- My English teacher gave all students a role-playing task, where everyone needed to talk to other students in the English language
- I had basic knowledge regarding the English alphabets, and I was capable enough to write a few not so complex sentences in English.
- But, till that time I never tried speaking in English.
- Due to lack of experience, I was under tremendous stress,
- I was shivering and tension was visible from my face.
- I took a great deal of time before uttering the first word
What did you talk about?
- The discussion started with name, family, hobbies, interests and routines.
- The introduction was a short one with just three sentences.
- My teacher provided me with unabated support whenever I had made an error.
- After speaking the first two three sentences, I gained momentum and started speaking with a lot of audacity.
- When I finished speaking, the whole class gave me a big round of applause
- When I finished speaking, the other students too participated in this activity.
- That event led to a paradigm shift in my confidence.
- Because of that day speaking English is a fairly easy task for me.
Follow ups
Here are some examples of follow up questions that the examiner might ask during your speaking part 3 related to cue card “Describe a time when you first talked in a foreign language”.
1. At what age should children start learning a foreign language?
Children should start learning a foreign language in their formative years. So schools must impart foreign language training from the primary class because during this period there is less burden of studies on students. Moreover, at this age children are acquisitive. Hence they can acquire language skills in a better way. On the other hand, when they start learning a foreign language during their teenage, it becomes difficult for them to adjust because till this time the mother tongue gets hardwired into our brains.
2. Which skill is more important speaking or writing?
In the contemporary epoch, both skills are significant for the holistic development of an individual. A few decades back speaking was more relevant, but with technology making inroads in our lives, writing too has become imperative because of its excessive usage in chats and emails.
3 . Does a person still need to learn another language if he is good in English?
Knowledge of another language except for English, adds to the skillset of a person. Hence an individual can not only find better career options but also enjoy more respect in society.
4. Do you think minority languages will disappear?
These days blogging has become a full-time profession. Many minority languages which were on the verge of extinction are gradually reviving. Because blogs and websites these days come in all kinds of languages. Therefore, people have started remaining in touch with their native languages through the medium of these websites and blogs.
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