IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a time when you taught a friend or relative something

Describe a time when you taught a friend or relative something

You should say:

Who you taught

What/how you taught

What the result was

And explain how you felt about it

 

SUGGESTED IDEAS

Who you taught:

• A friend who wanted to learn how to cook
• A younger sibling who needed help with math homework
• A colleague who was struggling with a computer program

What/how you taught:

• For the friend who wanted to learn how to cook, you could have shown them how to make a simple recipe and explained the steps as you went along.
• For the younger sibling who needed help with math homework, you could have reviewed the concepts they were struggling with and worked through some practice problems together.
• For the colleague who was struggling with a computer program, you could have given them a tutorial on how to use it and answered any questions they had.

What the result was:

• The friend was able to successfully make the recipe on their own and felt more confident in their cooking skills.
• The younger sibling was able to complete their homework and felt more comfortable with the math concepts.
• The colleague was able to complete the task they were working on with the computer program and expressed gratitude for your help.

Explain how you felt about it:

• For each scenario, you could explain how you felt fulfilled by being able to help someone else learn and grow.
• You could also talk about how teaching someone else helped reinforce your own understanding of the subject matter.
• Additionally, you could express how happy you were to be able to contribute positively to someone else’s life by sharing your knowledge and skills with them.

 

USEFUL PHRASES AND VOCABULARY

• Teach, instruct, guide, explain
• Struggling, difficulty, confusion, uncertainty
• Comprehend, learn, understand, grasp
• Improve, enhance, develop, strengthen
• Satisfied, fulfilled, accomplished, proud
• Grateful, appreciative, thankful, indebted
• I had the opportunity to teach…
• I noticed that my friend/relative was struggling with…
• I decided to help them by showing them…
• I demonstrated how to…
• I guided them step by step…
• They were eager to learn and asked many questions…
• It took some time, but eventually they got the hang of it…
• I felt a great sense of accomplishment…
• It was a rewarding experience for both of us…
• I’m glad I was able to help them improve…
• Seeing them succeed made me feel proud…
• I hope I can continue to help them learn in the future.

 

SUGGESTED ANSWER

One time, I had the opportunity to teach my younger sibling who needed help with their math homework. They were struggling with some concepts and were feeling uncertain about how to solve certain problems. I decided to step in and offer my guidance.

I sat down with my sibling and reviewed the concepts they were having difficulty with. I explained the formulas and theories in a simplified manner, making sure they understood the underlying principles. We then worked through several practice problems together, providing step-by-step explanations along the way.

The result was incredibly rewarding. My sibling was able to complete their homework successfully and expressed a newfound confidence in their math abilities. They were grateful for my help and appreciated the time we spent together working on the problems.

Teaching my sibling not only helped them comprehend the subject matter but also reinforced my own understanding of the math concepts. It was a fulfilling experience to witness their improvement and know that I played a part in their academic growth.

Another instance where I taught someone was when a colleague at work was struggling with a computer program. They were having difficulty navigating its features and performing certain tasks. I offered to give them a tutorial on how to use the program effectively.

I guided my colleague through the various functions and demonstrated how to accomplish specific tasks. I patiently answered their questions and provided additional tips and shortcuts to make their work easier. After our session, they were able to complete the task they were working on successfully and expressed gratitude for my assistance.

Teaching my friend how to cook was another fulfilling experience. They expressed a desire to learn some basic cooking skills, so I showed them how to make a simple recipe. As we went through the steps together, I explained the techniques and shared some useful cooking tips. They were able to follow along and successfully prepare the dish. Seeing their enthusiasm and progress made me feel proud and satisfied.

In each of these teaching experiences, I felt a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Being able to help others learn and improve was immensely gratifying. It also highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and skills with those around me. The joy of witnessing someone’s progress and knowing that I made a positive impact on their lives is something I treasure. I hope to continue helping others learn and grow in the future.