Describe a useful skill you learned as a teenager – IELTS speaking part 2
Describe a useful skill you learned as a teenager
You should say:
- What it was
- When you learned it
- How you learned it
And explain why you think it was useful
Example 1
“When I was a teenager, I learned the valuable skill of cooking, and let me tell you, it’s been an absolute game-changer!
I learned how to whip up some mouth-watering dishes from my mom, who is a fantastic cook herself. She taught me everything from basic kitchen skills to creating delicious meals from scratch.
Learning to cook has been not only a lifesaver for when I moved out on my own but also a fun and creative outlet.
I’ve learned how to follow recipes, experiment with different ingredients, and even improvise when necessary. Now, I can cook up a storm of comforting pasta dishes, healthy stir-fries, and mouth-watering desserts with ease.
Besides being able to feed myself and save money by avoiding takeout, learning to cook has also allowed me to bond with my family and friends.
There’s something so special about sharing a meal that you’ve cooked with the people you love.
As well as that, being able to cook has given me a sense of independence, responsibility, and confidence. It’s truly a useful skill to have, no matter where life takes you.
Thank you”
- idioms
“Game-changer” refers to something that significantly alters the current situation or brings about a major shift in momentum.
Example sentence: The new technology was a game-changer for the company, boosting their profits and increasing their market share.
To whip something up means to create or prepare something quickly and easily.
Example: I don’t have much time, so I’ll just whip up a sandwich for lunch.
The idiom “to do something from scratch” means to do or create something completely from the beginning without any previous preparation or help.
Example sentence: I didn’t have a recipe, so I had to do the entire cake from scratch.
The idiom “mouthwatering” means something looks or sounds very delicious and makes one’s mouth water in anticipation of eating it.
Example: As soon as he walked into the bakery, he was hit with the delicious scent of freshly baked bread and couldn’t resist purchasing a mouthwatering loaf.
Example 2
“One of the most useful skills I learned in my teens was how to budget and manage my money.
When I was a kid I used to blow all of my pocket money on unnecessary things and often found myself broke by the end of the month.
It wasn’t until my older sister sat me down and taught me the importance of budgeting that I started to take control of my finances.
She showed me how to create a budget, track my expenses, and save money for future goals. She also introduced me to the concept of compound interest and how it could help me grow my savings over time. With her guidance, I learned to be more mindful of my spending and prioritise important expenses.
This skill has been incredibly useful to me as I entered adulthood. I was able to avoid accumulating debt and build a healthy savings account.
It has also taught me the value of planning and making informed financial decisions.
Thanks to my sister’s help, I feel confident in managing my money and have developed a responsible attitude towards finances. Learning to budget as a teenager was definitely a skill that has greatly benefitted me in the long run.
Thank you.”
- Idioms
The idiom “to blow money” means to spend money recklessly or wastefully.
Example: She went to the mall and blew all her money on expensive shoes and designer clothes.
To be broke means to have little or no money.
Example: After paying my rent, I have no money left in my bank account. I am completely broke!
Describe a useful skill you learned as a teenager – IELTS speaking part 2
What are some useful skills that children should learn?
“Well, personally, I believe that learning useful skills is absolutely crucial for children as it helps them develop important life abilities and prepares them for the future.
One essential skill is time management, which enables them to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines, which will be of course very important in their future education.
Another vital skill is communication, and being able to express oneself effectively, which is essential for building relationships, as well as succeeding in the workplace.
On top of that, I think that it’s very crucial for kids to learn the importance of managing money and making responsible decisions.
In my opinion, I believe that encouraging children to learn these skills from a young age sets them up for success in all aspects of their future lives.”
Where do children learn these different skills in your country?
“In my country, children learn a variety of useful skills in different settings.
For instance, at home, kids can learn lots of basic life skills such as communication, cooking, and personal hygiene from their parents.
In school, they get to learn more academic skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management.
As well as that, extracurricular activities like sports, music, and art classes provide opportunities for them to develop physical strength and creative thinking.
What’s more, there are also some community service programs and volunteer work that help children to cultivate social and leadership skills.
In my opinion, this well-rounded education prepares children to become capable and independent individuals in the future.”
Do you think it’s easier for a young person to learn a new skill than an older person?
“Well personally, I think that learning a new skill can often be easier for a young person compared to an older person.
I guess this is because young people usually tend to have more flexibility and adaptability towards new challenges, and their brains are still developing and able to retain information more easily.
For example, a high school student may quickly grasp a new language or musical instrument compared to an older person who may struggle with muscle memory and forming new connections in the brain.
Having said that, I don’t believe this means that older people cannot learn new skills, as of course determination and practice can also lead to success, but generally speaking I do believe it is easier for youngsters to learn a new skill.”
What skills are important for teenagers to learn?
“In my opinion, there are several skills that are important for teens to learn in order to become successful and well-rounded individuals.
Firstly, communication skills are essential as they allow teenagers to effectively express their thoughts and ideas, as well as build relationships, and present themselves confidently.
On top of that, I believe that time management and organisation skills can help teenagers balance their academic and extracurricular activities.
Another crucial skill I guess would be finance management, as it prepares teenagers for managing their own finances in the future.
Finally, critical thinking skills enable teenagers to make informed decisions and solve problems.
For example, learning how to budget money or manage time effectively can help prepare teens for the demands of college and adulthood.”
More links to IELTS speaking part 2 and part 3 topics with example answers
Describe a person who works well in a team
Describe something important you lost
Describe a person who is good at making people feel welcome in his/her home
Describe a time when you used a map
Describe a time you had an interesting conversation with an elderly person
Describe a trip you were looking forward to that was delayed or postponed
