IELTS Cue Card Sample: Describe a skill that was difficult for you to learn

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a skill that was difficult for you to learn

You should say:
What the skill was
Where you learnt it
How you learnt it
How you felt when you learned it

(what it is)
More than 11 years ago, whenever I came across (meet someone by chance) a street pianist, it took me quite long to take my eyes off (stop looking at) them. I was crazy about (passionate about) music, especially the piano. Luckily, I had the chance to learn the piano from a classically trained pianist who was willing to train me for free as there was a shortage of pianists for the church choir. Without hesitation, I made up my mind (=decide) to follow him.
(where you learnt it)
As I mentioned previously, I was trained to play the piano for the choir at my church’s services. Also, because I did not have the instrument at that time, I had to learn the piano at the church. Albeit learning at a church, which is supposed to be a quiet and solemn place, all the sessions were full of laughter because there were also other fellows trying to play the piano with me.
(how you learnt it)
Filled with effervescence (enthusiasm), I was eager to play the very first notes of my life. However, things did not go as I wanted as I figured out (=find out; realise) that the piano was way (used to emphasize the degree) harder than I had thought. Keeping in mind (remember) that the more I played, the better I would become, however, classical songs again present a big challenge even when I felt that my capacity to play the instrument was already competent (good enough, capable of doing sth in an effective way). The thought of giving up sprang to my mind but luckily, the trainer was making lots of effort to keep the fire burning inside me and I quickly got rid of (no longer affected by sth; throw away) that negative thought before getting back on track.
(and explain how useful it was)
I have been playing the piano over the last decade. Yet, I long for (have a strong desire to do sth) learning more new challenging classical songs and playing  piano for the services so that I can ensure that my skills will not worsen. In fact, it took me only 1 year to play for the services smoothly.

 

Describe a skill you need a long time to learn

You should say:
– what it is
– where you can learn it
– how you learn it
– and how long it takes to learn it

(what it is) When I was young, I was fascinated whenever I came across a street pianist. I was passionate about music, especially the piano. Luckily, I had the chance to have lessons with a classically trained pianist, who was willing to teach me for free because there was a shortage of pianists for the church’s choir. I did not hesitate to take him up on his offer.

(where you can learn it) Because I was trained to play the piano for the choir at my church, and because I did not have an instrument at home, I had lessons at the church. Even though churches are supposed to be quiet and solemn, I still really enjoyed my lessons. All the sessions were full of laughter because there were other people who also tried to play the piano with me.

(how you learn it) Filled with excitement, I could not wait to play my first notes on the piano. However, things did not go as expected! I started to realise that the piano was a lot harder than I had thought. I knew that I would improve the more I played, so I carried on, but I was particularly challenged by classical pieces. I found them difficult even when I felt that I had become a competent player! I thought about giving up, but luckily, my teacher made a lot of efforts to inspire me. I quickly got rid of my negative thoughts and got back on track.

(how long it takes to learn it) I have been learning the piano for more than 10 years, but it only took me around 1 year to learn to play confidently and smoothly for the services. Nowadays, I play simple pieces for the church services, but I also learn new, challenging classical pieces so that I can continue to develop my skills.

1. To come across sth/someone
Example: I came across him in the library after work, and we got into a great conversation about Hemingway.

2. To take someone’s eyes off sth/someone (phrase)
Example: Ken couldn’t take his eyes off Judy.

3. To make up someone’s mind (idiom)
Example: I’m not sure what flavor I want—I’m still making my mind up.

4. Solemn (adj)
Example: a solemn procession

5. Effervescence (n)
Example: he was filled with such effervescence

6. To be competent at something
Example: I wouldn’t say he was brilliant but he is competent at his job.

7. To spring someone’s mind (idiom)
Example: Say the word “Australia” and a vision of beaches and blue seas immediately springs to mind.

8. Keep the fire burning (idiom)
Example: when I was about to give up on my dream, my parents immediately took actions to keep the fire burning.

 

IELTS SPEAKING PART 3:

1. Why are some people unwilling to learn new skills?
An immense number of people are reluctant to learn new skills due to 2 main reasons. First, these people might have struggled or even failed to learn a new skill, which is a big barrier to giving another try. Second, many would like to be competent at one skill. However, to this end, they believe it is going to take lots of time and money so they tend to give up in the first place.

2. Why would people spend a lot of time learning a new skill?
I would say that there are two main reasons. First, they are passionate about the skill and desire to obtain it. For example, if one has a passion for piano, he is willing to spend up to 3 hours a day practicing piano albeit up to his ears in work. Second, people can spend a lot of time on a new skill if they have lots of free time. This sounds simple, but makes sense. If one does not even have time to breathe, hardly will he have time to learn a new skill.

3. Do people feel happy after learning a new skill?
I would say yes. Achieving their goal, which is being competent at a new skill, can be a source of satisfaction. This is because they know that their efforts pay dividends and it is not a waste of time to practice every single day to sharpen the skill.

4. Do you think it takes a long time to learn a language?
It depends on the environment to be honest. Should the language learner not live in the native country, it is apparent that acquiring high proficiency in a language will pose lots of challenges to the learner as well as take a great deal of time and effort. However, if the learner is based in the native country, it is much easier for him to speak the language fluently in a relatively short time.

5. What skills may take a long time to learn?
As far as I am concerned, it is communication skills that takes a long time to learn. One can not expect to communicate like a master after some courses of training. This is a hard skill and may require up to 20 years to communicate well with others.