Cue Card

Describe something you did to learn another language

You should say:

• Which language you learned
• What you did to learn it
• How you benefited by learning it
• And explain how you felt about learning it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What kinds of difficulties do people face when learning a language?
2. Do you think it’s important to learn other languages?
3. Do you think it’s better to study alone or in a group?
4. What’s the best way to learn a language?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I was 19 when I decided to move to Japan for a semester. I had zero Japanese language skills, but I was determined to become fluent. I started by immersing myself in the language, watching Japanese TV shows and movies with English subtitles, and listening to J-pop music. But I quickly realized that I needed to take a more structured approach if I wanted to make real progress.

That's when I discovered the'shadowing' technique. I'd listen to a native speaker and repeat what they said, trying to mimic their intonation and rhythm. It was tough at first – my pronunciation was all off, and I felt like a total beginner. But I persisted, practicing every day for 10-15 minutes. Slowly but surely, I started to notice improvements. I could pick up on nuances in tone and pitch, and my accent began to sound more natural.

Another game-changer was language exchange apps. I connected with a Japanese student who wanted to practice her English, and we'd chat for an hour every week. It was amazing how much I learned from just conversing with someone. We'd discuss everything from our favorite foods to our childhood memories, and I'd pick up new vocabulary and grammar in context. By the time I left Japan, I was holding conversations with locals and even landed a part-time job at a Tokyo cafe.

Looking back, it was the combination of immersion, structured practice, and real-life conversations that helped me learn Japanese. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. I realized that learning a language isn't just about grammar rules and vocabulary lists – it's about connecting with people and cultures. And that's what makes it so rewarding.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

immerse myself

to surround yourself with something, like a language or culture, to learn it better

I immersed myself in the language by watching Japanese TV shows and listening to J-pop music.

mimic

to copy someone's speech, behavior, or actions

I tried to mimic the native speaker's intonation and rhythm when I practiced shadowing.

pick up on

to notice or understand something, often quickly

I started to pick up on nuances in tone and pitch as I practiced shadowing.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What kinds of difficulties do people face when learning a language? I think one of the biggest difficulties people face when learning a language is the fear of making mistakes. When I was trying to learn Spanish, I was terrified of speaking in front of native speakers because I was afraid of pronouncing words incorrectly or using the wrong grammar. But I realized that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, and it's actually one of the best ways to improve. I started speaking with native speakers as much as possible, even if it meant stumbling over my words or using the wrong verb conjugation. And you know what? It worked! I started to feel more confident in my abilities and my pronunciation improved dramatically.

Do you think it’s important to learn other languages? Absolutely! Learning another language opens up so many doors, both personally and professionally. For me, learning Spanish has allowed me to connect with my heritage and culture in a way that I never could before. I've also been able to travel to Spanish-speaking countries and communicate with locals in a way that's authentic and meaningful. And let's not forget about the cognitive benefits of learning a new language - it's been shown to improve memory, problem-solving skills, and even delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline. Plus, in today's globalized world, speaking multiple languages is a highly valuable skill that can give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Do you think it’s better to study alone or in a group? For me, studying in a group has been a game-changer. When I was learning Spanish, I joined a language exchange group where we would meet up weekly to practice speaking and listening with each other. Having a supportive community of learners around me made all the difference - we could ask each other questions, share resources, and motivate each other to keep going. Plus, it was way more fun than studying alone! We'd often go out for coffee or dinner after our meetings and practice our language skills in a more relaxed setting. I think studying in a group also helps to keep you accountable and motivated - when you know you have a group of people counting on you to show up and participate, you're more likely to stick with it.

What’s the best way to learn a language? I think the best way to learn a language is through immersion. When I was learning Spanish, I tried to surround myself with the language as much as possible - I listened to Spanish music, watched Spanish movies, and even changed my phone settings to Spanish. The more I was exposed to the language, the more it started to feel like second nature. I also tried to use language learning apps like Duolingo, which made learning feel like a game. But the key was to use these tools in conjunction with real-life practice - speaking with native speakers, reading Spanish books, and writing in a journal. The more you can immerse yourself in the language, the faster you'll pick it up.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

stumbling over my words

to speak hesitantly or make mistakes when speaking

I was stumbling over my words when I first started speaking Spanish.

verb conjugation

the way in which a verb changes form to indicate tense, mood, voice, etc.

I struggled with verb conjugation when I was learning Spanish.

open up doors

to create new opportunities or possibilities

Learning another language opens up doors to new cultures and experiences.

competitive edge

an advantage or benefit that sets someone or something apart from others

Speaking multiple languages gives you a competitive edge in the job market.

game-changer

something that has a significant impact or effect

Studying in a group was a game-changer for me when I was learning Spanish.

stick with it

to continue doing something even when it's difficult or challenging

It's hard to stick with it when learning a new language, but it's worth it in the end.

immersion

the act of surrounding yourself with something, such as a language, in order to learn it

Immersion is a great way to learn a language quickly and effectively.