Repeat After Me! Improve your IELTS Speaking score through speech shadowing!

Author: Ryan

  • 26 May 2025 👇Lesson 209: Something unusual👽

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    Describe a time when you saw something very unusual or surprising. You should say:

    what it was
    where you saw it
    who was with you
    and explain why it was so unusual or surprising.

    One of the most unusual things I’ve ever seen happened when I was in Japan a couple of years ago. I was visiting a small town called Nara, which is famous for its ancient temples and friendly wild deer that roam freely in the city. What surprised me was something the deer did that was completely unexpected.

    In one of the parks, my friends and I saw a deer walk up to a vending machine and wait in front of it patiently. A moment later a local man walked over and actually bought the deer a snack from the machine! The vending machine, oddly enough, sold little packs of deer crackers, and the deer seemed to know exactly how the whole system worked.

    I was completely fascinated. I had seen smart animals before, like parrots mimicking speech, but this level of awareness in a wild animal was something else. The deer behaved almost like a polite citizen, waiting its turn like it had done it a hundred times.

    To this day, that moment has stayed with me — not just because it was unusual, but because it was so oddly civilised for a wild animal.

  • 19 May 2025 👇Lesson 208: Changing your opinion about someone 👨

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    Describe a situation when you had to change your opinion about something or someone.
    You should say:
    What the original opinion was
    Why you held that opinion
    What made you change it
    And explain what you learned from the change

    One situation when I had to completely change my opinion was regarding a colleague of mine named Jeff. When I first started working at a previous job, I thought he was quite cold and unapproachable. He rarely smiled and didn’t really make an effort to chat with anyone on the team. Because of that, I assumed he was arrogant or simply not interested in building any sort of relationship with his colleagues.

    I think I formed that impression partly because of how he carried himself—very serious, very focused. Also, some of my teammates seemed to hold a similar opinion, which probably influenced my thinking more than I realised at the time.

    However, everything changed when Jeff and I were assigned to work together on a fairly demanding project. From the very beginning, Jeff was incredibly helpful and surprisingly down-to-earth once we started talking more. He had a dry sense of humour and a very calm way of handling pressure. I soon discovered that he was just naturally introverted and a bit reserved in group settings. In fact, he later mentioned that he’d always struggled with social anxiety, which explained a lot of his earlier behaviour.

    That experience really made me reflect on how easily we can misjudge others. By the end of the project, we’d built a solid working relationship and even became friends outside of work.

    This experience reminded me not to jump to conclusions and to always give people the benefit of the doubt.

  • 12 May 2025 👇Lesson 207: A time you made a difficult decision quickly⚡

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    Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision quickly.
    You should say:
    What the situation was
    What decision you made
    Why it was difficult
    And explain what you learned from the experience.

    Well, one time that really stands out was when I was travelling abroad and missed a connecting flight due to a delay. I was in Frankfurt Airport, and my flight to Dublin was cancelled because of heavy fog. I had less than 10 minutes to decide whether to wait overnight for the next available flight or book a last-minute train and ferry route through France and the UK to get home.

    The decision I made was to take the overland route. It involved multiple transfers: a train to Paris, then to London, and finally a ferry across to Ireland.

    It was difficult for several reasons. First, it was expensive and required navigating different transport systems in countries where I didn’t speak the language fluently. I also had no time to think because seats were quickly selling out. And to make matters even more stressful, I had committed to a job interview in Dublin the next morning!

    In the end, the journey took almost 24 hours, but I made it in time for the interview. What I learned from this experience is that sometimes trusting your instincts and acting decisively is better than waiting for the perfect option!

  • 4 May 2025 👇Lesson 206: Time travel🌌

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    Describe a place and time you would revisit in your life if you could time travel.
    You should say:
    Where you would go
    What time period it is
    What you would do there
    And explain why you chose that particular place and time

    If I had the chance to time travel, I would go back to my first year at university, which was about a decade ago. The university campus was located in a student-friendly city, and for me, that period was a perfect mix of excitement and freedom.

    I would return to that time not to change anything, but to relive it with greater awareness and appreciation. Back then, everything felt so fast-paced — lectures, assignments, new friendships — and I didn’t always take the time to enjoy the moment. If I could revisit that time, I would sit in on my old classes and spend more time with the friends I’ve since lost touch with.

    I think I’d also take more photos, journal more and worry less about grades. I’d also spend more time talking to my professors and possibly getting more directly involved in the research they were carrying out at that time.

    I chose this time and place because it marked a turning point in my life. It was when I started becoming independent and shaping the path I’m on now. In many ways, going back wouldn’t just be a nostalgic trip — it would be a chance to reconnect with the foundation of who I’ve become.

  • 28 April 2025 👇Lesson 205: An unusual building 🏟️

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    Describe an unusual building you have seen.
    You should say:
    Where it is
    What it looks like
    Why it is unusual
    And explain how you felt when you saw it.

    One of the most unusual buildings I’ve ever seen is the Burj Al Arab, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I had the chance to see it up close during a short trip to Dubai a few years ago, and it truly left a lasting impression on me.

    To describe it: The Burj Al Arab is famously shaped like the sail of a ship. It stands on its own artificial island that is connected to the mainland by a private bridge. The building is white and blue during the day. At night, it is illuminated with colourful lights. I have never been inside it, but I hear it is filled with extravagant gold decorations and massive aquariums.

    What makes the Burj Al Arab unusual is not just its striking design, but also its reputation. It markets itself as a ‘seven-star hotel,’ which is far beyond the official hotel rating system. Everything about it is designed to be the absolute height of luxury — from a helicopter pad on the roof to a fleet of Rolls-Royce cars for guests.

    When I first saw it, I was completely amazed. It felt like something from another world! Seeing the Burj Al Arab up close gave me a sense of awe, not only because of its sheer beauty but also because of the incredible imagination that brought it to life.

  • 21 April 2025 👇Lesson 204: Someone you taught👨‍🏫

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    Describe a time when you taught someone something new. You should say:
    -who the person was
    -what you taught them
    -how you taught them
    and explain how you felt about the experience.

    One memorable time I taught someone something new was when I showed my younger cousin, Lily, how to make kimchi. She’s about 13 years old and had recently become really interested in cooking. Since I’ve made kimchi a few times with my mother, I thought it would be a fun and meaningful thing to pass on.

    Kimchi, as you probably know, is a traditional Korean fermented dish made with cabbage, radish and a spicy chili paste. There are a few steps that can be tricky for beginners, so I decided to break it down and go through it with my cousin one step at a time.

    We started by soaking the cabbage in saltwater to draw out the moisture. I explained the science behind it to help her understand why each step matters. Then we worked on the seasoning paste—mixing garlic, ginger, red chili flakes, fish sauce and a little sugar.

    The most fun step was when we wore gloves and rubbed the seasoning into the cabbage leaves. Lily kept laughing and saying how it felt like finger painting for chefs. After we packed everything into jars, I explained how the fermentation process works and how the flavours deepen over time.

    I felt genuinely happy about the whole experience. It wasn’t just about teaching a recipe—it was about sharing a tradition and spending time with someone I care about. The whole experience reminded me how meaningful food can be!

  • 14 April 2025 👇Lesson 203: A performance you attended🎸

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    Describe a performance you enjoyed watching. You should say:
    – what the performance was
    – when and where you saw it
    – who performed
    and explain why you enjoyed the performance.

    One performance I truly enjoyed watching was a live jazz concert by a Canadian jazz group called The Heavyweights Brass Band. I saw them perform last summer at the Ottawa Jazz Festival, which takes place every year in Confederation Park, right in the heart of downtown Ottawa.

    The band consists of incredibly talented musicians who play a mix of traditional New Orleans-style jazz, funk and modern jazz fusion. What really stood out was their energy and stage presence. From the first note, they had the crowd completely engaged. The lead trumpet player in particular was phenomenal—his improvisation was so creative and expressive that it felt like he was telling a story through his instrument.

    What made the performance so enjoyable for me was the atmosphere. Jazz, by nature, is very spontaneous and interactive, and this group really leaned into that. They would riff off each other and even involve the audience by encouraging call-and-response moments. It felt more like a conversation than a performance!

    Another reason I loved it was because it reminded me of how powerful live music can be. You can listen to jazz recordings at home, of course, but nothing compares to hearing it live. I left the concert feeling uplifted, and it deepened my appreciation for the genre.

    Overall, it was a truly unforgettable evening, and it sparked a newfound love for jazz that I’ve continued to explore ever since.

  • 7 April 2025 👇Lesson 202: Promises🤞

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    Describe a time when you made a promise that you were unable to keep. You should say:

    – what the promise was
    – who you made the promise to
    – why you couldn’t keep it
    and explain how you felt about it.

    One particular time I failed to keep a promise was about a year ago, when I told my younger brother that I would attend his school play. He had been rehearsing for weeks and was playing one of the lead roles in a production of The Lion King.

    The promise was made to my younger brother. We’re quite close despite the fact I’m ten years older. I have always tried my best to be involved in his life because our parents work long hours.

    Unfortunately, on the day of the play, something completely unexpected happened at work. I had recently started working at a marketing firm, and a client presentation that was scheduled for the following week got suddenly moved up. The entire team was called in for an emergency prep session, and I had no choice but to stay.

    I felt terrible for breaking that promise. I could sense how disappointed my brother was when I called him to explain. He tried to brush it off and said it was okay, but I could hear the sadness in his voice. I felt like I had let him down, and it made me realise how fragile trust can be, especially with younger people who look up to you.

    Since then, I’ve been much more careful about making promises. That experience taught me that it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver than the other way around.

  • 31 March 2025 👇Lesson 201: Happiness in society🙃

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    What is the connection between a person’s behaviour and their happiness?
    I believe people who engage in positive behaviours, such as expressing gratitude, tend to experience greater emotional well-being. This is because such actions often trigger the release of feel-good hormones like dopamine. On the other hand, negative behaviours, such as pessimism, can lead to dissatisfaction. I think happiness is something your habits can help you experience.

    How can you tell if someone is truly happy? What are the signs?
    Hmm I think truly happy individuals often exhibit both verbal and nonverbal signs. Physically, they tend to smile frequently and have an overall energetic demeanor. Emotionally, they demonstrate optimism and tend to have warm and engaging interactions with others. However, it’s important to note that happiness is not always outwardly expressed. Some people may feel joy internally and without any outward signs.

    How do happy events or good news affect people when they are feeling sad or stressed?
    Good news and joyful events can serve as a powerful distraction, providing a temporary escape from negativity. Moreover, positive experiences trigger the brain’s reward system. The brain may release chemicals like endorphins that can uplift a person’s mood.

    Do you think happiness means the same thing for different generations? Why or why not?
    I think happiness is perceived differently across generations due to changing social values and technological advancements. Older generations may associate happiness with traditional successes, such as having a lifelong career. In contrast, younger generations often find happiness in experiences and personal growth. I also feel older generations tend to find joy in face-to-face interactions, while younger people derive happiness from online communities.

    What role does society play in shaping people’s happiness?
    Society can play a significant role. A society that promotes work-life balance and mental well-being tends to foster greater happiness among its citizens. For example, communities with strong social support systems generally report higher levels of happiness than those that expect long, gruelling workdays in unsafe conditions.

  • 24 March 2025 👇Lesson 200: Cities and towns🏙️

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    Can you describe your hometown?
    I’m originally from Mossoro. It’s a city in northeastern Brazil known for its warm climate and mix of urban life and natural beauty. The city plays an important role in Brazil’s oil and salt industries.

    What do you like most about your hometown?
    What I love most is the weather and the friendly people. Mossoro is warm and sunny almost all year round, and the locals are very welcoming.

    What age group is your hometown most suitable for?
    I’d say it’s great for both families and retired people. The city has good schools, parks and healthcare facilities. It also has a stable but growing economy, so it is a good option for anyone looking for a secure and predictable lifestyle.

    Has your hometown changed a lot over the years?
    Yes, quite a bit. Mossoro has expanded a lot in terms of infrastructure and economy. It has become a major center for oil production, and new businesses and universities have brought more people to the city.

    Do you think young people prefer living in big cities or small towns?
    I think young people mostly prefer big cities because of the job opportunities, entertainment and fast-paced lifestyle. Mid-sized cities like Mossoro are likely too boring for young people.

    What facilities are available for young people in your hometown?
    There are plenty of shopping malls and sports facilities, and there are beaches that are nearby. Mossoro also has a strong cultural scene, with music festivals and museums.

    Would you like to continue living in your hometown in the future?
    I love my hometown, but as a younger person I’d probably move to a bigger city for career opportunities and new experiences. That being said, I wouldn’t mind coming back later in life to enjoy the peaceful environment.