IELTS Speaking band 8 sample test 3: Learning a new skill

Examiner: Let's talk about learning. What is a skill you have learned recently?

Candidate: The most recent one would be Python. I'm a data analyst, so I'd been relying on spreadsheets and other people's scripts for ages, and I finally got fed up. I started with a few online courses last year, mostly in the evenings, and it's been a real game changer for me at work.

Examiner: Do you prefer learning by yourself or with a teacher?

Candidate: It really depends on the skill, to be honest. For coding, I'm happy to muddle through alone with documentation and forums, because there's a lot of material out there. But with music, I much prefer a teacher, since they can spot a bad habit in my posture or my timing within seconds. I'd say a bit of both is the sweet spot for me.

Examiner: What subjects did you enjoy most at school?

Candidate: Maths and music, without a doubt. Maths appealed to me because there was usually a clear right answer, and I liked the satisfaction of working through a tricky problem step by step. Music was more of an escape, I suppose. I played in the school jazz band, and I'd spend lunchtimes in the practice rooms, which I think is partly why I'm so drawn to instruments now.

Examiner: Now, I'm going to give you a topic, and I'd like you to talk about it for one to two minutes. Describe a skill you would like to learn. You should say: what the skill is, how you would learn it, and how long it might take, and explain why you want to learn this skill. You have one minute to prepare.

Examiner: All right, please start speaking now.

Candidate: The skill I'm keen to pick up is playing the cello. I used to play guitar as a teenager, so I can read music reasonably well, but I've always been a bit envious of string players, especially cellists, who get that rich, warm sound right in the middle of the orchestra. It's something I've been thinking about for years, and I finally bought a second-hand instrument last month, so it's getting real.

Candidate: I'd learn it mainly with a teacher, which is non-negotiable for me, because bowing and posture are very hard to correct from a video. I'd probably start with weekly lessons, and supplement them with short practice sessions at home, twenty minutes most days, before work. I'd also like to join a community orchestra or a chamber group once I'm reasonably competent, since playing with others is where I'd imagine the real enjoyment comes from. The fingering might be a challenge at first, but the bigger hurdle is the bow.

Candidate: As for how long it might take, I'd be realistic and say around two years before I could play anything that sounds respectable. Most people I've spoken to say the first six months are the hardest, because everything feels awkward and the progress is slow. I'd be happy with that, honestly. Why I want to learn it is simple: I want a hobby that's entirely mine, something away from screens and spreadsheets. Music has a way of slowing me down, and that's exactly what I need at the moment.

Examiner: Thank you. Do you think you'll stick with it?

Candidate: I think so, yes. I've already got a practice routine, and the cello has a strong pull on me. I'll be honest, though, I'm the sort who loses interest when things get hard, so the teacher is there partly to keep me accountable.

Examiner: Let's think about learning more broadly. How important is lifelong learning in today's society?

Candidate: I'd say it's essential, and not just for career reasons. Technology is changing so quickly that a qualification you earned ten years ago can go out of date fast. In my own field, the tools I used when I started have largely been replaced. On the other hand, I think lifelong learning is also about curiosity and wellbeing. Picking up a new skill keeps the mind active and gives people a sense of progress, which is valuable at any age. I've met plenty of retirees who taught themselves languages or woodwork, and they seem far more engaged than people who've stopped learning. So, in short, it's less a luxury and more a necessity.

Examiner: Do you think schools should teach more practical skills?

Candidate: Yes, I do, though I'd be careful about it. Schools already have a crowded timetable, so something has to give. That said, I went through a system where I learned Pythagoras's theorem in detail but never once learned how to balance a budget or change a tyre. Practical skills like cooking, basic first aid and personal finance would make a real difference to young people's independence. The tricky part is that teachers need proper training and resources, otherwise these subjects become a box-ticking exercise. Ideally, I'd see practical learning woven into the existing subjects rather than bolted on.

Examiner: How has online learning changed education?

Candidate: It's made education far more accessible, which is probably its biggest achievement. Someone in a regional town can now take a course from a university in another state, without moving house or paying for accommodation. I've done a few myself, and the flexibility is a massive plus. However, I think it has a downside. Online courses can be lonely, and it's easy to drift off or rush through material without really absorbing it. I suppose the real question is whether a course has a good community around it, because that's often what keeps people motivated. In the end, I think the best model is blended, with online content and some face-to-face contact.