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Mastering “What Do You Like About Your School?” in IELTS Speaking

As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I’ve encountered countless students grappling with the “Describe your school” topic in the IELTS Speaking test. This seemingly simple question can actually be quite challenging …

Written by: IELTS Mentor

Published on: June 25, 2024

As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I’ve encountered countless students grappling with the “Describe your school” topic in the IELTS Speaking test. This seemingly simple question can actually be quite challenging if you’re unprepared. This article will delve into why this question appears, how to answer it effectively, and provide you with vocabulary and sample answers to achieve a band-high score.

Why does the IELTS exam ask about your school?

The IELTS Speaking test assesses your ability to communicate effectively in English. When the examiner asks about your school, they aren’t necessarily interested in the specific details of your alma mater. Instead, they are evaluating:

  • Your vocabulary range: Can you use a variety of words and phrases to describe your school, its facilities, and your experiences?
  • Your fluency and coherence: Can you speak smoothly and connect your ideas logically?
  • Your grammatical accuracy: Can you use correct grammar structures?
  • Your pronunciation: Can you be easily understood by a native speaker?

How to Answer “What Do You Like About Your School?”

While the question may seem straightforward, a successful response requires structure and thoughtful examples. Here’s a breakdown of how to formulate your answer:

1. Provide a General Overview

Start by stating your overall opinion of your school.

  • “I have very fond memories of my school.”
  • “Overall, I had a positive experience at my school.”
  • “My school wasn’t perfect, but there were definitely some aspects I enjoyed.”

2. Highlight Specific Aspects

Choose 2-3 aspects of your school that you genuinely liked. This could be anything from the teachers to the facilities to the extracurricular activities.

  • “The teachers were incredibly dedicated and passionate about their subjects.”
  • “I appreciated the small class sizes, which allowed for more individualized attention.”
  • “The library was a fantastic resource, with an extensive collection of books and online databases.”
  • “Our school had state-of-the-art science labs that really fostered our learning.”
  • “The sports facilities were top-notch, which was perfect for someone active like me.”
  • “I was heavily involved in the debate club, which helped me develop my critical thinking and public speaking abilities.”
  • “The school offered a wide array of clubs and societies that catered to diverse interests.”

3. Explain Why You Liked These Aspects

Don’t just list the things you liked—explain why you found them valuable. Provide specific examples and anecdotes to make your answer more engaging.

  • Example 1: “I particularly enjoyed the history classes because the teacher made the lessons so engaging. We even went on a field trip to a local museum, which brought the subject to life.”
  • Example 2: “Being part of the school orchestra was a defining experience. We spent hours practicing together, and it was incredibly rewarding to see our hard work culminate in a beautiful performance.”

4. Use a Range of Vocabulary and Grammar

Showcase your language skills by using a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures. For instance:

  • Say: “The teachers were highly knowledgeable and supportive.”
  • Say: “The school boasted a well-equipped library with an extensive collection of resources.”

5. Keep it Concise and Relevant

Remember, you only have a limited time to answer. Avoid rambling or going off-topic. Stick to the main points you want to convey and keep your answer focused.

Sample Answer

Here’s an example of how to put it all together:

“Overall, I had a positive experience at my secondary school. One of the things I appreciated most was the strong sense of community. The teachers were incredibly supportive and always willing to go the extra mile to help students succeed. For instance, my English teacher created a lunchtime writing club specifically to help me improve my essay writing skills. Additionally, I benefited greatly from the school’s emphasis on extracurricular activities. I was a member of the debate team, which not only helped me develop my public speaking abilities but also taught me the importance of teamwork and critical thinking. Those experiences were invaluable and have stayed with me ever since.”

Modern School Building

Modern School Building

Key Takeaways

  • Be prepared to discuss your school experiences in the IELTS Speaking test.
  • Structure your answer logically and provide specific examples to support your points.
  • Use a variety of vocabulary and grammar to demonstrate your language proficiency.
  • Speak clearly and confidently, and maintain good eye contact with the examiner.

Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you practice talking about your school, the more confident and fluent you will become. Good luck!

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Describe Your First Day at School or College- IELTS Cue Card

Janice Thompson

Updated On Sep 03, 2024

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Prepare for your IELTS Speaking Cue Card with our guide on "Describe Your First Day at School or College." Find sample answers and vocabulary to help you craft your own sample answers!

Describe Your First Day at School or College- IELTS Cue Card

Table of Contents

Sample answer, speaking part 3.

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The IELTS Speaking tests your ability to communicate effectively in English through a structured conversation with an examiner. The IELTS Speaking Part 2 provides a topic and prompts for you to prepare a short speech, showcasing your fluency and coherence. In this blog, we delve into sample answers on the IELTS cue card topic, 'Describe Your First Day at School or College’ to help candidates excel in their speaking test.

Before you begin, enhance your IELTS Speaking test skills and fluency using the guide provided below!

In IELTS Speaking, you should focus on one idea only and then expand that idea into a long meaningful sentence using IELTS Grammar patterns and IELTS Vocabulary . So, try practising this topic for Part 2 of the cue card for your IELTS Speaking and achieve a good IELTS Band Score !

Describe Your First Day at School or College.

You should say

  • Where was it?
  • What happened?
  • How did you feel on that day?

The first day at school or college can be nerve-racking, especially when you are not acquainted with anyone who is already there. Such experiences often leave a lasting impression on a person. Although I don’t have a definitive memory of my first day at college, I can recollect my first day at school like it was yesterday. The name of my school was Birla Bharati and I joined this school as a Class 2 student.

I remember the journey from my house to the school gates distinctly. My father escorted me to the school premises on his motorbike. Once we reached the school, my father walked me up to the point where the parents of the students were allowed. I remember asking my father to come to pick me up after school, to which he agreed by nodding his head and then kissing me on the cheek. Since I was only 8 to 9 years old at the time, I had no clue where my classroom was. Eventually, a security guard was kind enough to ask me why I was standing in the hallway and, upon knowing my predicament, helped me find my way to my designated classroom.

My mind was engrossed by fear and nervousness as I was not familiar with a single person in this new place. I remember sitting on the first bench and breaking down into tears. However, a senior student who was on the way to the morning assembly noticed my state and tried to console me. He then held my hand on the way to the assembly hall, and I remember feeling a little bit lighter as my classes started after the morning assembly.

  • Nerve-racking

Meaning: causing stress or anxiety. Eg.: The job of a theatre actor can be quite nerve-racking.

Meaning: enduring or able to endure over a long period of time. Eg.: The film made a lasting impression on many young people.

  • Predicament

Meaning: a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation. Eg.: Thomas was the only person responsible for his current predicament.

Meaning: absorb all the attention or interest. Eg.: All the children in the classroom were engrossed in the new Disney movie that was being played.

Meaning: comfort (someone) at a time of grief or disappointment. Eg.: Everyone tried to console David for his terrible loss.

Are you having difficulty speaking for IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue cards like this one? Book a FREE Demo !

IELTS Speaking Part 3 involves a detailed discussion on abstract topics and complex ideas, allowing you to demonstrate your ability to articulate opinions and provide in-depth responses. This section tests your ability to discuss and analyze topics in a coherent and structured manner.

Do you think students should be taken to school by their parents or go by themselves?

Whether students should be accompanied on their journey to school by their parents or not is a decision that should be made keeping in mind the student’s age. I believe that students should be taken to school by their parents up to a certain age. Such a practice helps calm students down, especially at a very young age. However, it is also important to let children go to school on their own when they are old enough.

Should children rely on their parents or be independent?

Parents are known to take care of their children and all their needs and demands up to a certain age. For instance, in the western culture, children are required to have a job by the time they are 18 years old in many cases. On the other hand, children tend to live with their parents well after they have reached adulthood in the eastern culture, especially in Asian countries. I believe that both these approaches have their benefits. However, if children are habituated to taking care of their responsibilities from a young age, they tend to have an easier time living independently.

How can children become more independent?

There are several ways children can learn to be more independent in life. One of the ways through which parents teach their children to be more responsible is by giving them household chores. Some parents also provide an allowance to their children, which helps them learn how to manage their finances at a young age. Children should also be encouraged to make significant decisions in their lives by their parents. Such a practice will help them be more decisive.

What is the effect if parents interfere with children’s life too much?

It is a common dilemma whether parents should be involved in their children’s lives in a major or minor way. Many parents believe that it is pivotal to be a part of their children’s decisions. In many cases, such practices may prove to be beneficial, whereas, on the other hand, they can also lead to undesirable consequences. Such a dynamic can often lead to children being irresolute and hesitant when making decisions on their own.

Want a high IELTS Speaking score? Begin with our Comprehensive IELTS Speaking Band 8 Preparation Course !

  • Accompanied

Meaning: go somewhere with (someone) as a companion or escort. Eg.: He accompanied his grandmother on her visit to the hospital.

Meaning: make or become accustomed or used to something. Eg.: Everyone in the neighbourhood was habituated to the extremely noisy surroundings.

Meaning: having or showing the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively. Eg.: In order to be a team leader, one needs to be decisive.

Meaning: a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives Eg.: They were in a dilemma regarding the choice of dessert at the ceremony.

Meaning: showing or feeling hesitancy; uncertain. Eg.: A poker play cannot afford to be irresolute during tough and expensive decisions.

Explore Other Cue Cards

  • Describe an Art Exhibition you Visited
  • Describe a Good Decision You Made Recently
  • Describe a Family Which you Like and Are Happy to Know
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Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

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