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

Category: Experiences

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 17 March 2025 👇Lesson 199: Happiness🙂

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    Describe an event that made you happy. You should say

    • what the event was
    • when it happened
    • where it happened
      and explain why it made you happy

    One of the happiest moments in my life was when my spouse and I had our offer accepted on our first home.

    This happened quite recently, in early 2025 actually. For months, we had been searching for the perfect place. We went to open houses and made offers, but we were outbid multiple times. The process was quite stressful, and we were starting to feel discouraged. However, one day, we found a house in our hometown that ticked all the boxes—it was in a great location, had enough space for our growing family, and was within our budget. We put in an offer and anxiously waited for the seller’s response.

    The moment we got the call confirming that our offer had been accepted, we were over the moon. We were at home at the time when the good news came through. We both felt an overwhelming sense of relief and joy. It was a life-changing event because it marked a new chapter for us—a place to truly call our own!

    What made this moment even more special was that we had achieved a dream we had worked so hard for. Having a permanent home gave us a profound sense of stability, and I would say this is why the event brought me so much happiness.

  • 3 March 2025👇Lesson 197: A time when a friend surprised you😲

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    Describe a time when a friend surprised you. You should say
    – when it happened
    – where it took place
    – what the surprise was
    and explain what you did afterwards.

    About two years ago, my best friend completely caught me off guard with a surprise birthday celebration. I was buried in work and quite sressed, and I had almost forgotten about my own birthday.

    The surprise took place at a cozy little café in the heart of the city. My friend had cleverly tricked me into thinking we were just meeting for a quick cup of coffee to catch up. However, the moment I walked in, I was met with a huge “Happy Birthday” banner, a table full of my closest friends, and a beautifully decorated cake waiting for me. To say I was shocked would be an understatement!

    The most touching part of the surprise was the personalised video montage he had put together. It featured heartfelt messages from friends and family. Watching that video was incredibly emotional, and I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude.

    After the initial surprise, we spent the evening reminiscing, sharing laughs and enjoying the delicious food. I made sure to personally thank my friend for his thoughtfulness and effort. The following day, I wrote a heartfelt message to everyone who had been a part of it. I later treated my friend to a nice dinner as a token of appreciation. Even now, whenever I think about that day, it reminds me of how lucky I am to have such amazing people in my life.

  • 24 Feb 2025👇Lesson 196: Stories🪶

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    Where do you live?
    I currently live here in Nairobi, Kenya. It’s a large city known for its rich culture and its stunning natural landscapes.

    How long have you been living there?
    I’ve been living here for several years now, and over time, I’ve come to appreciate its energy and vibrancy. Although I’ve visited other cities in Kenya, Nairobi has a unique charm that makes it feel like home.

    What do you like most about your home?
    What I love most about my home is the sense of space and comfort it provides. My neighbourhood is quiet and covered in greenery, so it is a nice change from the busy city. I also appreciate the nice weather in Nairobi, which stays quite pleasant throughout the year.

    Is there anything you would like to change about where you live?
    If I could change one thing, it would probably be to lessen the traffic. Nairobi is a fantastic city, but rush hour traffic can be quite hectic!

    Let’s talk about stories. Do you enjoy reading stories?
    Yes, absolutely! I find stories to be a great way to disconnect. I love how they can transport me to different worlds.

    What kind of stories do you like to read?
    I’m particularly drawn to historical fiction and adventure novels. I love books that can take me on a journey through far off, exotic locations.

    Do you prefer reading stories in books or online?
    I prefer physical books because I love the experience of turning pages and the feeling of holding a book in my hands. I do read online occasionally, but its not my favourite way to consume books.

    Have you ever written a story yourself?
    Yes, I have. When I was younger, I used to write short stories for fun. More recently, I attempted to write a short fiction piece inspired by life in Nairobi. While I wouldn’t call myself a professional writer, I definitely enjoy the creative process.

  • 17 Feb 2025👇Lesson 195: A time you did something difficult💯

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    Describe an occasion when you had to do something difficult.
    What it was
    Why it was difficult
    How you handled the situation
    And explain what you learned from it

    Well, as I mentioned before, I work as an electrician. One particularly difficult experience I had was when I had to rewire an entire house by myself due to an unexpected staffing issue. Initially, I was supposed to work with a team, but at the last minute my colleagues were urgently reassigned to another job. That left me responsible for completing the work on my own.

    The task was challenging because the house was quite old. This meant the existing wiring was outdated and not up to modern safety standards. I had to carefully remove the old wiring and then ensure that the new system I was installing met all safety regulations. Because I was working alone, I also had to manage every aspect of the job—planning the layout, installing the cables, and dealing with any unexpected issues that arose.

    To handle the situation, I broke the project down into smaller tasks and set clear goals for each day to ensure steady progress. I also double-checked every connection and used my experience to anticipate potential problems. In moments of doubt, I called a senior electrician for quick advice, which gave me reassurance and kept me on track.

    In the end, I successfully completed the job on time with everything up to standard. This experience taught me a lot about problem-solving and time management. I also learned that in high-pressure situations, staying calm and methodical is the key to overcoming challenges.

  • 10 Feb 2025👇Lesson 194: Personal challenges and growth🏋️

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    Why is it important to challenge yourself?
    Challenging oneself is crucial for personal development. It pushes people out of their comfort zone and allows them to discover their true potential. Without challenges, people tend to remain stagnant, missing out on opportunities for growth.

    In what ways can personal challenges contribute to self-growth?
    Personal challenges contribute to self-growth in multiple ways. For one, they encourage adaptability. When people face obstacles, they learn to adjust their strategies and develop creative solutions. Challenges also build mental toughness, which helps individuals cope with stress and uncertainty.

    Do you think people should deliberately put themselves in difficult situations to improve?
    Yes. This fosters personal growth. For instance, stepping into leadership roles, learning a difficult language or travelling alone can be intimidating but ultimately rewarding experiences. A person can’t really grow unless they step outside their everyday routine.

    Are some challenges unnecessary or harmful?
    Absolutely. For example, working excessively long hours just to prove one’s dedication can lead to burnout and health problems. Similarly, taking unnecessary risks, such as engaging in dangerous extreme sports without proper training, can have severe consequences. I would say these sorts of challenges are unnecessary or harmful.

    Are personal challenges helpful to society as a whole?
    Yes, personal challenges can have a positive ripple effect on society. For example, entrepreneurs who take on the risk of starting a business can create jobs and drive economic growth. Likewise, people who work hard to develop skills in medicine, education or technology make invaluable contributions to society.

    Thank you.