Describe a Time When You First Talked in a Foreign Language
– IELTS Cue Card
Posted: 15 Mar 2021 05:00 PM PDT
| Describe the first time you used a foreign language to communicate. You should say: what the situation was where you were who you communicated with and explain why you used a foreign language to communicate on this occasion. |
IELTS Speaking Actual Tests with Answers (Feb-May 2021) | eBook
Sample Answer
I have been learning English for a long time, but I haven’t had many chances to practice speaking English with native speakers. To the best of my recollection, the first time I used it was on Christmas Eve three years ago.
At that time, I was hanging out with my friends. Suddenly, a foreigner came up to me and asked for directions to a supermarket. Honestly, he spoke too quickly for me to catch everything. But after he repeated his words, I finally understood and showed him the way to the nearest supermarket. I used body language a lot to explain the directions to him, since I didn’t speak English well then. After that, he said “Thank you” to me and headed for the supermarket. I realize that English plays an important role in our life, despite the fact that we don’t live in English-speaking countries. It is spoken globally and it’s becoming the dominant language. Therefore, I have been trying to practice speaking English daily, so that I can have a good command over the language, and I can confidently hold conversations with foreigners, no matter the topic of conversation.
Vocabulary
- To the best of my recollection: [expression] if I remember correctly.
Eg: I was not present at that meeting, to the best of my recollection. - Hanging out: [phrasal verb] spending a lot of time in a particular place, but doing no special activity.
Eg: My friends and I enjoy hanging out at our local coffee shop, just chatting and enjoying a coffee. - Came up to: [phrasal verb] approached.
Eg: The manager came up to me and shook my hand. - Catch everything: [expression] hear or understand everything that he said.
Eg: At the train station it was too noisy to hear all the information clearly, and I was unable to catch everything. - Body language: [noun] the way that you show what you feel or think by moving your body.
Eg: Sometimes, our teacher uses body language, not words, to help to communicate an idea. - Headed for: [phrasal verb] moved in a particular direction.
Eg: After the show finished, everyone headed for the exits. - Have a good command of: [expression] have a good knowledge of something.
Eg: People who apply for this job must have a good command of English, in order to communicate with our American customers