Table of Contents
Describe a Person Who Is Good at Learning and Speaking New Languages
Part 2
You should say:
- How you got to know him/her
- How he/she learns a new language
- What languages he/she can speak
- And explain how you feel about him/her
Sample Answer 1
Well, I want to talk about my good buddy Dave, who’s a language lover, and he really has a knack for picking up new languages.
He can speak 4 or 5 languages almost perfectly. It’s one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen. When it comes to learning languages, he’s a real pro. And I’ve known Dave forever. We go way back. I think we met in primary school. We were deskmates then. We hit it off right away. We were super tight, and we still are to this day.
How does he learn new languages? Well, a few different ways. He has some apps. He has some textbooks. But mainly, he’s a huge fan of some foreign TV shows. He can imitate and mimic their voices. So you just know he has a natural aptitude, an innate ability to learn new languages.
I think he can speak 4 or 5 languages, which is incredibly impressive. He’s proficient in German, Spanish, Thai, and he can even speak a number of dialects from all around China, which just totally blows my mind.
And how do I feel about him? Well, firstly, I’m super jealous. I’m passionate about learning languages too. But I’m just not cut out for it. I’m a really lousy language learner. It’s just not for me.
Secondly, at the same time, I’m quite thankful that he can speak so many languages, because we’re both big travelers, and we’ve gone on some trips together. We recently went on a trip to Thailand together. If I had gone by myself, I would have been totally hopeless. But since he could converse so well with the locals, our trip went so smoothly.
| Word / Phrase | Type | Definition | Example |
| a knack for | Phrase [C1] | a natural talent or skill for something | He has a real knack for languages. |
| when it comes to | Phrase [B2] | regarding a particular subject or activity | When it comes to languages, she is exceptional. |
| go way back | Phrase [C1] | to have known someone for a very long time | We go way back — we met in primary school. |
| hit it off | Idiom [B2] | to immediately like someone and get on well | We hit it off straight away at the party. |
| imitate | Verb [B2] | to copy the way someone speaks or behaves | She can imitate native speakers very convincingly. |
| mimic | Verb [C1] | to copy speech or mannerisms closely | He can mimic accents from around the world. |
| natural aptitude | Phrase [C1] | an inborn ability to learn something easily | He has a natural aptitude for music and languages. |
| innate ability | Phrase [C2] | a skill or talent present from birth | His innate ability for languages is truly impressive. |
| proficient | Adjective [C1] | competent and skilled in a subject | She is proficient in three languages. |
| blows my mind | Idiom [B2] | to greatly impress or astonish someone | His ability to speak six languages blows my mind. |
| jealous | Adjective [B2] | feeling envious of someone else’s advantages | I am honestly jealous of her language skills. |
| passionate about | Phrase [B2] | having a strong feeling of enthusiasm for | She is deeply passionate about environmental issues. |
| not cut out for | Idiom [C1] | not naturally suited to something | I am simply not cut out for learning languages. |
| thankful | Adjective [B2] | pleased and relieved; grateful | I am thankful to have such a talented friend. |
| converse | Verb [C1] | to have a conversation with someone | He can converse fluently with native speakers. |
Sample Answer 2
Well, a person who is good at learning and speaking new languages is my best friend David. We knew each other since elementary school.
Since childhood he just had great talent in learning languages, because in primary school we learned English, and I just couldn’t believe he just memorized vocabularies so fast. I thought he’s got his own method of learning languages, because I saw his English notebook, he normally wrote down the new vocabularies he faced while he was reading, and then he would also write a sentence beside the new vocabulary. I asked him why, and he told me that was a really efficient way for him to memorize how the vocabularies are used in real life, so I actually learned a lot from him,
Another thing I really admire him about learning new languages is that he was not afraid of speaking with foreigners, or in other words, native speakers. There was a foreign teacher class in school, and he was always confident, even if there were grammar mistakes or pronunciation mistakes, because he was so confident, so he was able to correct all the mistakes he made, so he made a lot of progress after having the class with a foreign teacher, and right now he is also devoted in the education industry, so I would say he maximizes his potential, and he’s doing what he’s really good at.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| have a talent for (something) | B2 | Verb phrase | To have a natural ability to do something well. | Even as a kid, David had a real talent for learning languages. |
| since childhood | B2 | Adverbial phrase | From the time when someone was a young child. | Since childhood, he’s always picked up languages easily. |
| memorize vocabulary | B2 | Verb phrase | To learn words by heart so you can recall them later. | I couldn’t believe how fast he could memorize vocabulary. |
| a method of learning | B2 | Noun phrase | A particular way or system of studying something. | He clearly had his own method of learning languages. |
| an efficient way (to do something) | B2 | Noun phrase | A method that works well without wasting time or effort. | Writing example sentences was an efficient way to remember words. |
| in real life | B2 | Fixed phrase | In actual, practical situations rather than in theory. | It showed him how the words are actually used in real life. |
| admire (someone) for (something) | B2 | Verb phrase | To respect and approve of someone because of a quality they have. | I really admire him for how fearless he is when speaking. |
| native speakers | B2 | Noun phrase | People who have spoken a particular language since birth. | He was never afraid of chatting with native speakers. |
| make progress | B2 | Verb phrase | To improve or move forward towards a goal. | He made huge progress after those foreign-teacher classes. |
| be devoted to (something) | C1 | Adjective phrase | To be committed and dedicated to something. | These days he’s devoted to the education industry. |
| maximize (one’s) potential | C1 | Verb phrase | To make the fullest possible use of one’s abilities. | I’d say he really maximizes his potential in what he does. |
Part 3
1. Are there many people who can speak foreign languages in your country?
So to be honest, it’s a bit hard to answer because China has such a huge population. Many people do study foreign languages. I think there are definitely a lot of people who can speak foreign languages fluently.
However, if we look at the population as a whole, I wouldn’t say that speaking a foreign language fluently is very common. For example, younger students and university graduates might have fairly good foreign language skills. But when it comes to older generations, the situation is quite different.
I have also talked to some foreigners from English-speaking countries and they told me that it can be quite inconvenient to travel in China because not so many people speak English, especially in the service industry.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a huge population | B2 | Noun phrase | A very large number of people living in a place. | It’s hard to generalize because China has such a huge population. |
| speak (a language) fluently | B2 | Verb phrase | To speak a language smoothly, easily, and with confidence. | Plenty of people can speak a foreign language fluently. |
| the population as a whole | C1 | Noun phrase | All the people of a country considered together, not just one group. | But across the population as a whole, it’s not that common. |
| university graduates | B2 | Noun phrase | People who have completed a university degree. | Younger students and university graduates tend to do well here. |
| language skills | B2 | Noun phrase | A person’s ability to use a language. | Many graduates have fairly good foreign language skills. |
| when it comes to (something) | C1 | Fixed phrase | Used to introduce a particular topic you are about to talk about. | When it comes to older generations, the picture is quite different. |
| older generations | B2 | Noun phrase | People who were born a longer time ago; older age groups. | Older generations often had far fewer chances to learn English. |
| English-speaking countries | B2 | Noun phrase | Countries where English is the main or official language. | I’ve spoken to visitors from English-speaking countries about this. |
| inconvenient | B2 | Adjective | Causing difficulty, trouble, or discomfort. | They found it quite inconvenient to travel without local language help. |
| the service industry | C1 | Noun phrase | The part of the economy that provides services rather than goods, such as hotels and restaurants. | Few staff in the service industry speak much English. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Foreign language speakers in your country
2. Does speaking other languages help at work?
Of course it does, from on the one hand being able to speak a different language allows you to communicate with people from all parts of the world that means you got international perspectives and also especially doing international trade for example you have to communicate with people from other countries and you know English is a universal language if they can speak your language very well they can just you know make it make the deal effectively and also being able to speak a different language allows you to get promoted relatively easier compared with other people because it is a skill and if you master the skill very well you are just likely to get a promotion if if other people or your competitors can’t speak the language.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| on the one hand | B2 | Discourse marker | Used to introduce the first of two contrasting points or sides of an argument. | On the one hand, knowing a language connects you to the whole world. |
| all parts of the world | B2 | Noun phrase | Many different countries and regions everywhere. | It lets you communicate with people from all parts of the world. |
| international perspectives | C1 | Noun phrase | Ways of seeing things shaped by knowledge of other countries and cultures. | Speaking another language gives you far broader international perspectives. |
| international trade | C1 | Noun phrase | The buying and selling of goods and services between countries. | It’s especially valuable when you’re working in international trade. |
| a universal language | C1 | Noun phrase | A language that is understood and used by people all over the world. | English is basically a universal language in global business. |
| close / make a deal | C1 | Verb phrase | To reach a business agreement successfully. | Speaking their language helps you make the deal far more effectively. |
| effectively | B2 | Adverb | In a way that produces the intended result successfully. | You can negotiate more effectively when there’s no language barrier. |
| get promoted | B2 | Verb phrase | To be moved to a more senior position at work. | A second language can help you get promoted more easily. |
| master a skill | C1 | Verb phrase | To become highly skilled or expert at something. | Once you master the skill, doors start to open at work. |
| get a promotion | B2 | Verb phrase | To be given a higher rank or more important job. | You’re more likely to get a promotion than colleagues who can’t. |
| competitors | B2 | Noun | People or organizations competing against you for the same goal. | It gives you an edge if your competitors can’t speak the language. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Benefits of speaking a foreign language
3. Do people learn any languages other than English?
Of course. I mean, learning more skills is always better, right? English is definitely a global language, and being fluent in it lets you communicate almost anywhere. But other languages also open up different doors culturally, professionally, and even cognitively. For example, speaking Spanish or Chinese can give you access to huge markets or unique cultural experiences. Plus, learning another language trains your brain, improves memory, and even changes how you see the world. And let’s be honest, a lot of people also learn languages just for fun, like Japanese or Korean, because of their favorite celebrities. So yeah, the answer is definitely yes.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a global language | C1 | Noun phrase | A language spoken and used by people all over the world. | English is definitely a global language these days. |
| be fluent in (a language) | B2 | Adjective phrase | To be able to use a language easily and accurately. | Being fluent in English lets you communicate almost anywhere. |
| open up doors | C1 | Idiom | To create new opportunities for someone. | Other languages open up doors culturally and professionally. |
| cognitively | C2 | Adverb | In a way relating to thinking, understanding, and mental processes. | A new language benefits you cognitively, not just professionally. |
| give (someone) access to (something) | C1 | Verb phrase | To make it possible for someone to use or reach something. | Spanish or Chinese can give you access to huge markets. |
| huge markets | B2 | Noun phrase | Very large groups of potential customers or buyers. | Knowing the language opens up huge markets for a business. |
| cultural experiences | B2 | Noun phrase | Activities or encounters that let you engage with another culture. | It also unlocks unique cultural experiences you’d otherwise miss. |
| train your brain | C1 | Verb phrase | To exercise your mind so that it works better. | Learning another language really trains your brain. |
| improve memory | B2 | Verb phrase | To make your ability to remember things stronger. | Studies suggest it can improve memory and focus. |
| change how you see the world | C1 | Fixed phrase | To alter your outlook or the way you understand things. | A new language can genuinely change how you see the world. |
| let’s be honest | C1 | Discourse marker | Used to introduce a frank, down-to-earth point. | And let’s be honest, plenty of people learn languages just for fun. |
| just for fun | B2 | Fixed phrase | For enjoyment rather than for any serious or practical reason. | Many pick up Japanese or Korean just for fun. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Is it worth learning more languages?
4. Why is it easier for children to learn new things than for adults?
Well, I think one of the main reasons is that children’s brains are generally more adaptive to everything, including language learning. They are just like a sponge, tending to absorb new sounds, words, and language patterns naturally through daily exposure. Also, children’s innate learning abilities make them pick up languages more efficiently. In contrast, adults often over-focus on strict grammar rules and feel embarrassed about making mistakes, which slows down their learning progress. Besides, long-established thinking habits restrict adults’ flexibility in language acquisition.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adaptive | C1 | Adjective | Able to change easily to suit new conditions or situations. | Children’s brains are naturally more adaptive to new information. |
| like a sponge | C1 | Simile / Idiom | Absorbing new information very quickly and easily. | Kids are like a sponge, soaking up new words effortlessly. |
| absorb (sounds / words) | C1 | Verb | To take in and learn information gradually and naturally. | They absorb new sounds and patterns without even trying. |
| language patterns | C1 | Noun phrase | Regular, repeated structures in how a language is used. | Children pick up language patterns through everyday listening. |
| daily exposure | C1 | Noun phrase | Regular, everyday contact with something. | They learn naturally through daily exposure to the language. |
| innate (abilities) | C2 | Adjective | Existing in a person from birth; natural rather than learned. | Their innate learning abilities give them a real head start. |
| pick up (a language) | C1 | Phrasal verb | To learn a language casually, without formal study. | Children pick up languages far more efficiently than adults. |
| over-focus on (something) | C1 | Verb phrase | To pay too much attention to one thing at the expense of others. | Adults tend to over-focus on strict grammar rules. |
| feel embarrassed about (something) | B2 | Adjective phrase | To feel awkward or self-conscious about something. | They feel embarrassed about making mistakes when speaking. |
| slow down (progress) | B2 | Phrasal verb | To make something happen or develop more slowly. | That fear really slows down their learning progress. |
| long-established (habits) | C2 | Adjective | Existing for a long time and therefore firmly fixed. | Long-established thinking habits limit their flexibility. |
| language acquisition | C2 | Noun phrase | The process of learning or developing the ability to use a language. | Rigid habits restrict adults’ flexibility in language acquisition. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Why children learn languages faster
5. How do people learn new things?
Okay, so I think there are mainly two ways, the traditional way and the modern way. The traditional way is probably going to a physical school, unlike learning from teachers face-to-face, and it requires a lot amounts of time and money, and they just gradually mastering a skill step-by-step. Well, it still works for, you know, things that require discipline, structure and professional guidance. But honestly, these days, people are, you know, especially younger generations, they are choosing the modern way, which is online learning and self-learning. It’s so easy just to find the free resources online these days, like online tutorials, podcasts, online articles, or affordable online courses. Oh yeah, and of course, AI has also changed the way people learn completely. So yeah, I guess learning has become much more flexible and accessible than before.
| Word / Phrase | CEFR | Type | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| face-to-face | B2 | Adjective / Adverb | In person, with people physically present together. | The traditional way is learning from teachers face-to-face. |
| master a skill | C1 | Verb phrase | To become highly skilled or expert at something. | You gradually master a skill step-by-step at a physical school. |
| step-by-step | B2 | Adverb / Adjective | Doing something gradually, one stage at a time. | It teaches you the skill step-by-step in a clear order. |
| discipline | C1 | Noun | The ability to control yourself and keep working hard. | Classroom learning still works when a subject demands discipline. |
| structure | C1 | Noun | A clear organization or framework for how something is done. | Some learners really need the structure a school provides. |
| professional guidance | C1 | Noun phrase | Expert help and advice from trained, experienced people. | Certain skills are best learned with professional guidance. |
| younger generations | B2 | Noun phrase | People who were born more recently; younger age groups. | Younger generations increasingly choose online learning. |
| self-learning | C1 | Noun | Studying and learning on your own without a formal teacher. | Online learning and self-learning are hugely popular now. |
| free resources | B2 | Noun phrase | Useful materials that are available at no cost. | It’s so easy to find free resources online these days. |
| online tutorials | B2 | Noun phrase | Instructional lessons or guides delivered over the internet. | You can learn almost anything from online tutorials and podcasts. |
| affordable | B2 | Adjective | Cheap enough that most people can pay for it. | There are plenty of affordable online courses out there. |
| flexible and accessible | C1 | Adjective phrase | Easy to adapt to your schedule and easy for anyone to reach or use. | Learning has become far more flexible and accessible than before. |
ieltsquangtri.com — CEFR-tagged vocabulary bank · Topic: Different ways of learning
Some IELTS Speaking part 2 cue-cards you may like :
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