Category Archives: Past, Present, Future

Lesson 84: Teaching styles and learningšŸ‘Øā€šŸ«

This week, you will speech about different teaching and learning styles.

Step 1: Listen to this week’s band 9 model response.

Step 2: Watch this week’s IELTSCast episode.

Step 3: Engage the full speech shadowing exercise.

Step 4: Read through the below transcript. What new language did you learn this week? Make a note so you can review this language at a later date.

Step 5: Submit your speaking samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

Transcript

Weā€™ve been talking about a lesson that you remember well, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic.
What makes a lesson memorable?

I think a few things help achieve this. Firstly, the teacher has a lot to do with it. Teachers that can make a subject interesting to the learner will always have memorable lessons. The learning environment can also enhance the experience. I used to study Arabic with a tutor while living in Dubai. We would meet in shopping malls and he would help me practise by watching me speak in Arabic to shop owners. Those were lessons I will never forget!

Why do people hire private tutors?

In many cases, it depends on the studentā€™s learning style. Some people prefer having designated one-on-one time with the teacher so that they can focus on their own weaknesses without having to concern themselves with the needs of other students. I enjoy both classroom instruction and private tuition, but when studying languages I prefer having a private tutor that can give me immediate and ongoing feedback. I feel this accelerates my progress.

How are younger and older teachers different?

They are different in many ways. Often older teachers have a much deeper understanding of the topic they are teaching, and this just comes from experience. However, younger teachers might have better understanding of technology and how the topic might be applied to contemporary times. In the advertising industry, for example, there may be statistical understanding that an older teacher explains better, whereas a younger teacher has a better grasp of the reach and demographics best hit by apps like Instagram.

How have teaching styles changed compared to the past?

Teaching these days makes much greater use of technology. I canā€™t remember the last time I saw a classroom with chalk sticks and a blackboard. Since COVID, it is also common for teaching styles to blend distance with in-person learning. Certain skills are also considered central to the learning experience now. For example, a lot of learning these days demands students research a topic using a variety of media on the internet.

Do you expect people to learn in the same way in the future?

I feel learning styles will forever evolve, but for now I think learning will occur through a blend of virtual and in-person methods. I feel like humanity is still a bit shaky on how to use some of the technology that was introduced during the global lockdown, so I donā€™t anticipate drastic changes in the foreseeable future. I imagine the next few years will involve solidifying our use of current technologies.

Lesson 82: Leisure time and booksšŸ“š

This week’s exercise looks at a Part 1 response.

Step 1: Listen to this week’s sample response.

Step 2: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode.

Step 3: Work through the full exercise.

Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note the new language you came across this week.

Step 5: Engage this week’s speech exercises with your Whatsapp instructor.

Transcript

Do you live in a house or an apartment?

I live in a semi-detached house.

What makes your home special?

I think the garden is what makes it so inviting. It is lush and green, with beautiful flowers planted.

Do you keep things from your childhood?

I have more mementos than I should! I have stuffed animals, certain pieces of artwork and even some sports jerseys. I simply canā€™t bear to part with them! Letā€™s talk about lifestyle.

Do you think people should spend their free time at home or outside?

Given the amount of time most of us spend indoors for work I believe we should spend leisure time outside. Of course, someone who works outside would probably better appreciate time inside, perhaps reading, cooking or relaxing. It really depends on what a personā€™s lifestyle is but in our free time we should do what we miss at work.

Has technology changed the way people spend their leisure time?

Most certainly it has. You no longer need to leave your home to spend time with friends; you just do a video call with them. Even the way we meet people has changed. Most of my current circle of friends are people that I met online. Letā€™s talk about books.

What type of books do you read?

Well, I make every effort to read books written in English. I tend to prefer historical fiction books. I used to try to read classics but I find that language has changed so much in the past two hundred years or so that when I read something from that era, itā€™s like reading a different language! So, now I prefer more contemporary fiction.

Do you think you read more when you were younger compared to now?

I was a total bookworm when I was younger. My parents had to scold me to put the books away to go to bed. I think after my university studies, when the purpose of reading was necessity and not pleasure, I reduced the amount I read for leisure.

Have you ever watched a movie and then read the book it is based on?

Not that I am aware of. I usually do the opposite. I like a book, the movie is released and then I compare my take on the story to the directorā€™s. I usually prefer mine!

Lesson 72: Sources of informationšŸ“°

This week’s IELTS Speaking Part 3 lesson examines information sources. Use this lesson as a form of speech therapy to help correct any deeply engrained speech habits you might have when speaking English.

Step 1:Ā Tune in to this weekā€™s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Part 3 Questions

Will you continue to follow this person on social media?
Is social media important?
Where do people get most of their information from nowadays?Ā 
Do older people get information from different sources?
Do you think you will continue to get information from the same sources in the future?
šŸ§‘ā€šŸŽ“Target language:

Youā€™d beĀ hard pressedĀ to find
-a phrase used to talk about something very difficult to find

ā€œYouā€™d beĀ hard pressedĀ to find a young adult reading a newspaper unless it was for the novelty value of it.ā€

Step 2:Ā Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3:Ā Engage this weekā€™s full speech shadowing lesson.

Step 4:Ā Below is Mondayā€™s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor.

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!šŸ—£ļøšŸ“²

“Yes, I think I will continue to follow her as her content is interesting, informative and appealing.”

Step 5:Ā Itā€™s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekā€™s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.šŸ“


Transcript

Will you continue to follow this person on social media?

Yes, I think I will continue to follow her as her content is interesting, informative and appealing. 

Is social media important?

If you had asked me fifteen years ago I would have said no, that itā€™s just a way to keep in touch with friends but now social media is unavoidable. It has become something far greater than a means to keep in touch with loved ones and has expanded to become a source of all information. For companies, it is a whole new vehicle for them – to be seen and to communicate with customers and potential customers. So much so, in fact, that companies hire staff that focus just on their social media presence. 

Where do people get most of their information from nowadays?

I think many people still use the TV and radio for information but the importance of the internet as a source of news cannot be overstated. Personally speaking, I use the internet exclusively for information because I can learn about events from multiple sources instantaneously. I would say that I am not alone in this and the sheer number of news websites or publications that have a web presence can attest to that. 

Do older people get information from different sources?

I think older people feel more comfortable with more traditional sources of information like the TV, radio or newspaper. Youā€™d be hard pressed to find a young adult reading a newspaper unless it was for the novelty value of it. 

Do you think you will continue to get information from the same sources in the future?

I hesitate to say yes because I fear that one day soon those of us that get news from the internet will be deemed dinosaurs. I think just like with the TV, something new will eventually come up to replace the internet as a source of information and I wouldnā€™t be surprised if someone then said to me quote unquote ā€œkeep up with the timesā€.

Thank you.

Lesson 69: New places and travel trendsšŸš†

This week, you will train to speak about new places and the subject of ‘travel’. Use the shadow technique in the below exercises to practise speaking about these topics.

Step 1:Ā Tune in to this weekā€™s podcast episode (video version available below).

Part 3 Questions

What part of the festival did you most enjoy?
What is another new place you would like to visit?
Is there anything that would discourage you from visiting a new place?
Do people travel differently now compared to the past?
šŸ§‘ā€šŸŽ“Target language:

chum around
-hang out with; do friendly things with

ā€œWe chum around together regularly, and yet I never grow tired of her company.ā€

Step 2:Ā Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3:Ā Engage this weekā€™s full speech shadowing lesson.

Step 4:Ā Below is Mondayā€™s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor.

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!šŸ—£ļøšŸ“²

ā€œI liked the foods and the relaxed atmosphere of the festival, but I think what I enjoyed most of all was being able to experience it with my friend. We chum around together regularly, and yet I never grow tired of her company. At the festival, we shared a few good laughs and talked about the foods that were on offer. We also reminisced about old times.ā€

Step 5:Ā Itā€™s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekā€™s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.šŸ“


Transcript

Weā€™ve been talking about visiting a new place, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. What part of the festival did you most enjoy?

I liked the foods and the relaxed atmosphere of the festival, but I think what I enjoyed most of all was being able to experience it with my friend. We chum around together regularly, and yet I never grow tired of her company. At the festival, we shared a few good laughs and talked about the foods that were on offer. We also reminisced about old times.

What is another new place you would like to visit?

There are many new places I would like to visit. I suppose I would most like to see old historical sites in the UK, such as Hadrianā€™s Wall or Stonehenge. We have ancient sites like these in Vietnam too, but the past few years I have been especially interested in learning about British history and culture, and Iā€™d really appreciate the opportunity to see such historic places first hand.

Is there anything that would discourage you from visiting a new place?

I suppose if I read online reviews that questioned the safety of an areaā€¦or its accessibility I might think twice about going. Iā€™m pretty adventurous, but I would never sacrifice my sense of security for a new experience. Some things are just not worth the risk.

Iā€™m also not interested in visiting places that are known for being excessively pricey. I donā€™t feel that expensive travel plans necessarily mean youā€™re going to have a more rewarding trip. In fact, some of my greatest memories are from times when I travelled on a shoestring and had to eat locally, try to interact in a foreign language, and walk instead of taking a taxi.

Do people travel differently now compared to the past?

Yes, there are many differences. International travel infrastructure has spread to even the most remote corners of the planet, and this means more people are travelling and they are travelling further than ever before. Airports have grown to phenomenal sizes too, and with this has come ā€˜duty freeā€™ commercial culture, where people associate international travel with the opportunity to pick up goods that arenā€™t taxed. These characteristics are a relatively recent phenomenon and not part of travel experiences of the past.

Thank you.

Lesson 66: Product qualityā­

This week, you will train to speak about product quality. These demonstrated answers are in response to real IELTS Speaking questions asked in Part 3 of a 2022 exam.

Step 1:Ā Tune in to this weekā€™s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Part 3 Questions
(Note: The candidate spoke about a repaired bicycle tyre in Part 2 of this exam. The examiner asks follow-up questions about this topic here.)
Does it still work?
Why do people neglect things and donā€™t repair them?
Do you think that in the past product quality was higher?
Do you think that expensive products last longer?
šŸ§‘ā€šŸŽ“Target language:

knock on wood
-said to wish yourself or others good luck

ā€œDoes is still work?”
Knock on wood, yes it does!ā€

Step 2:Ā Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3:Ā Engage this weekā€™s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4:Ā Below is Mondayā€™s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!šŸ—£ļøšŸ“²

“Knock on wood, yes it does! Whatever adhesive the repairperson used to seal the patch over the hole really did the trick. Iā€™ve been riding my bicycle for months since the repair and havenā€™t had any trouble at all. The tyre is as good as new, so Iā€™m certainly glad I didnā€™t go with my first instinct which was to replace the whole tyre!”

Step 5:Ā Itā€™s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekā€™s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.šŸ“


Transcript

Weā€™ve been talking about restoring a broken item, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Does it still work?

Knock on wood, yes it does! Whatever adhesive the repairperson used to seal the patch over the hole really did the trick. Iā€™ve been riding my bicycle for months since the repair and havenā€™t had any trouble at all. The tyre is as good as new, so Iā€™m certainly glad I didnā€™t go with my first instinct which was to replace the whole tyre!

Why do people neglect things and donā€™t repair them?

I feel people do this for many reasons. In some instances, repairing an item might be costly or involve tracking down specialised parts, such as rare engine parts for a vintage sports car. In other situations, it might actually be cheaper and more desirable to buy a newer version of the broken item. When my brotherā€™s Playstation video game console broke down after several years of use, he didnā€™t bother repairing it and instead put the money towards upgrading his console to the newer Playstation 2 model!

Do you think that in the past product quality was higher?

It definitely was. My grandmother still uses a sewing machine she bought in the 1970s. In fact, I can think of multiple products she has in her home that are several decades old and still work perfectly fine. I think the problem is that modern products are designed to be replaced after only a few years of use. These shorter product lifecycles mean consumers make repeat purchases of the same item, and this translates to more money for the business. I mean, look at mobile phones. People just expect to replace them after two or three years of use! This sort of consumer behaviour was uncommon in the past because peopleā€™s expectations of quality and longevity were different.

Do you think that expensive products last longer?

I suppose in some cases they do, but it really depends on the product. In my experience, expensive kitchen appliances typically last longer than cheaper alternatives. I bought an inexpensive microwave when I was in university and I barely got two years out of it, but the more expensive microwave I bought after I got married is eight years old and still going strong. Cars, however, are a different story. My wifeā€™s reasonably priced Toyota has had only a fraction of the problems of my more expensive Ford!

Thank you. That is the end of the speaking exam.

Lesson 61: Sportsāš½

How well can you speak about sports? In this speech shadowing lesson, you will train to talk about this topic: a sport you like, live sports and sport audiences.

Step 1:Ā Tune in to this weekā€™s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Part 1 Questions

May I see your ID?
Where are you from?
What is the name of your hometown?
What are some important features of your hometown?
Can you describe your home?
What kind of sports do you like?
Do you watch live sports?
Do you think sport audiences today have changed compared to the past?
šŸ§‘ā€šŸŽ“Target language:

localised (adjective)
-specific to a particular place

ā€œIn the past, sporting audiences were very localised.ā€

Step 2:Ā Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3:Ā Engage this weekā€™s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4:Ā Below is Mondayā€™s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!šŸ—£ļøšŸ“²

“Well, like many cities in China, Suzhou is very old and has several ancient landmarks, such as the Humble Administrator Garden, which I believe is about a thousand years old now. We also have a district that is made up entirely of a network of canals. The area is understandably sometimes referred to as the ā€˜Venice of the Eastā€™. We also have a growing business district lined with skyscrapers, so I think a central feature of Suzhou is its blend of historical sites and contemporary architecture.”

Step 5:Ā Itā€™s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekā€™s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.šŸ“


Transcript

May I see your ID?

Here you are.

Where are you from?

I am from a city in China. Itā€™s about an hourā€™s drive outside of Shanghai.

What is the name of your hometown?

Itā€™s called Suzhou. There is actually more than one Suzhou in China. Mine is the one in Jiangsu province.

What are some important features of your hometown?

Well, like many cities in China, Suzhou is very old and has several ancient landmarks, such as the Humble Administrator Garden, which I believe is about a thousand years old now. We also have a district that is made up entirely of a network of canals. The area is understandably sometimes referred to as the ā€˜Venice of the Eastā€™. We also have a growing business district lined with skyscrapers, so I think a central feature of Suzhou is its blend of historical sites and contemporary architecture.

Can you describe your home?

I live in a simple one-bedroom apartment that has a large window in the living room with a view of the sunset. I really like the colour green, so I think most of the furniture has at least a little green in it. I also have several houseplants which help keep my apartment feeling fresh. Letā€™s talk about sports.

What kind of sports do you like?

Iā€™m actually not a big sports person. Once in a while, Iā€™ll play football with my friends in the park or hit a birdie back and forth with a badminton racket, but thatā€™s about it. I do a lot of walking either on my own or with a friend, so if that counts I would say thatā€™s my favourite sport.

Do you watch live sports?

I do but only when a really exciting sporting event is happening. For example, when the World Cup is on, I watch many of the matches live. I occasionally catch a Formula 1 race live too, but I donā€™t watch it enough to know much about the teams or drivers. I went to several basketball matches in Shanghai when I was a teenager, and I think these are the only live sporting events Iā€™ve seen in person.

Do you think sport audiences today have changed compared to the past?

Yes, in many ways they have. In the past, sporting audiences were very localised. What I mean is you watched and discussed a sporting event with your friends or family, whereas now people watch sports streamed live online and discuss whatā€™s happening with international viewers from around the world. I recently saw a sports commentator that was streaming his comments live while interacting with viewers from around the world. This is a clear difference compared to the past. However, I would say the audienceā€™s spirit and passion for the game hasnā€™t changed, and I donā€™t think it ever will.

Thank you.

Episode 60: Outdoor activities in the past, present and futureā›·ļø

Recently, a candidate reported being asked about ‘an outdoor activity’ in Part 3 of their exam. (Edit: This topic was actually seen again about six months after this exam. If you’re looking for additional training resources, please click here to visit my second lesson on this topic.)

Step 1: Tune in to this weekā€™s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

Part 3 Questions

Do you like spending time outdoors?
Are there any benefits to outdoor activities?
What outdoor activities are popular in your country?
What kind of outdoor activities were popular in the past?
What type of outdoor activities will people like to do in the future?
šŸ§‘ā€šŸŽ“Target language:

avails itself
-something that is benefitted by another thing

ā€œFortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.ā€

Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

Step 3: Engage this weekā€™s full speech shadowing lesson. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

Step 4: Below is Mondayā€™s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)

Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!šŸ—£ļøšŸ“²

“Yes, I do actually. I love biking, walking and just dining al fresco when the weather is nice. Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.”

Step 5: Itā€™s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekā€™s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.šŸ“


Transcript

Weā€™ve been talking about an outdoor activity, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Do you like spending time outdoors?

Yes, I do actually. I love biking, walking and just dining al fresco when the weather is nice. Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.

Are there any benefits to outdoor activities?

Of course! First of all, if you are engaging in exercise outdoors, this is good for overall health. Second of all, being out in the sun is beneficial because our bodies need vitamin D for good health. This must be done with caution of course, but I recently read that people in this country suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, so it is in our best interest to cautiously spend time outdoors. Lastly, as we often socialise outdoors at cafes, restaurants and even park benches, this is an important practice through which we can reduce stress levels. So, being outside is incredibly beneficial in a variety of ways. 

What outdoor activities are popular in your country?

Well, I have mentioned several of them but of course there are more like sailing, swimming or playing tennis. Those in the country enjoy hiking or horseback riding. Then, it would be remiss of me to neglect to mention our national sport: football, which is enjoyed by all ages. 

What kind of outdoor activities were popular in the past?

I think the only things that have changed are activities that have been brought to this country from abroad, like tennis. However, we have been known for our love of outdoor sports since antiquity. As far as I know, even activities associated today with the indoors, like wrestling, took place outside. Other activities like eating outdoors or sailing have also been a part of this culture for centuries.

What type of outdoor activities will people like to do in the future?

I canā€™t imagine these activities changing a great deal but if I had to picture some kind of science fiction scenario, I would say that perhaps people will fly for fun. One might say that we already do that but what I mean by that is just as today we might take a boat, train or car ride for leisure, perhaps there will be flying contraptions that allow us to take a short flight over the sea front or over a nearby hill, just to get a birdā€™s eye view of the area. I think a lot of people would enjoy something like this.

Thank you. That is the end of the speaking exam.

Original lesson: Friendship, an influential person and role modelsšŸ’«

This is the original ‘repeat after me’ lesson that I published to YouTube in 2017. It includes all three parts of the exam.

Step 1: Work through the full exercise.

Step 2: Work through the accompanying speech exercises with your Whatsapp instructor.

Transcript

Please give me your identification.

Here you are.

Thank you. Now, in this first part, Iā€™d like to ask you some questions about yourself. Do you come from a large or small family?

My family is relatively large. There are five of us: my parents, brother, sister and me.

OK. And do the members of your family live together?

No. My parents live in the same house I grew up in. This house is in a town called Pembroke. At the moment, my sister is living there, too. But she is only there because she is on break from her studies at university. My brother lives and works in Toronto, and I am living in Toronto, too.

Do you have a lot in common with the other members of your family?

Umm, not really, but we are nevertheless very close. We always love getting together and catching up on each otherā€™s news. My parents have a quiet, country lifestyle. Itā€™s very different from the busy city lifestyle of Toronto. My brother enjoys watching sports and camping and hiking in the mountains; heā€™s very outdoorsy. My sister is a bit of a socialite, so she likes going out with friends and arranging little get-togethers. Iā€™m a bit on the quiet side. At the moment, I mostly just focus on my studies.

Are you currently working?

I am, but only part time. I am a part time university student.

Can you tell me about your studies?

Well, Iā€™m completing an undergraduate Arts degree with a major of criminology. Because I am a part time student, I only have nine hours of class a week. I have three-hour lectures every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and I am really enjoying the courses. The professors are interesting.

Thatā€™s wonderful. And what sort of part time work do you do?

I am waiter in a restaurant on the campus of my university.

I see. Do you enjoy that kind of work?

Honestly, not really. Iā€™m not naturally a very social person, and waiting tables tends to demand this sort of personality. Also, university students do not tend to leave handsome tips. But, I shouldnā€™t complain. Itā€™s a job and it does help fund my studies.

Letā€™s talk about friends. Do you have many friends at your university?

Yes, I have a small handful of friends. But I suppose I would describe our relationship as more study partners than friends. We donā€™t really socialize outside of course-related topics.

Do you think friendships change as people get older?

Yes, definitely. I think life often makes demands of people and this can pull friends closer or push them away. A good friend of mine recently had a baby. I am very happy for him, but I know that this new development in his life will mean he and I will spend less time together. This is fine, I mean, of course he needs to spend time with his baby, but I think these sorts of life developments can change the dynamics of a friendship.

What sort of person do you easily make friends with?

I like people that have opinions. I enjoy talking with people about different subjects and hearing what they have to say about those subjects. I think I easily make friends with people that are good communicators. I donā€™t think we need to like all of the same things, but if we do share a few interests, that is obviously a plus. Character wise, I prefer quiet people to loud people.

Thank you. OK, letā€™s change topics. What do you do in your free time?

I have several hobbies. I enjoy jogging. I try to get a jog in every day. I also have a dog, so I spend quite a bit of time at the park. Um, I enjoy reading and surfing the net. I keep an online blog. It is a diary of my day-to-day life. I enjoy watching movies. I guess those are the main things I do in my free time.

What sort of pastimes are popular among Canadians?

Most Canadians like to play and watch hockey. I would say this is a very popular pastime. Canadians also like the outdoors, so hiking in the mountains, camping and canoeing are all popular hobbies. Um, Canada is a multicultural place, so I feel there are a lot of cross-cultural hobbies. Many Canadians like learning how to cook foods from other countries, for example. These are probably the most popular Canadian hobbies.

Thank you. Now Iā€™d like to ask you to speak one to two minutes on a topic.

Normally, you would have one minute to plan your answer, but for the sake of this recording we are going to skip this step.

Your cue card reads:

Describe someone who has had an important influence on your life. You should say:
-Who the person is
-How long you have known him/her
-What qualities this person has
-and explain why they have had such an influence on you.

Remember you have one to two minutes to deliver this monologue. Iā€™ll tell you when the time is up. Start speaking now, please.

I am going to talk about my high school music teacher, Mr. McGrady, and how he has influenced my life. I have known Mr. McGrady for about five years. He is a very patient man and an excellent teacher, and I feel he instills music appreciation and understanding in all of the students he teaches. He is also a very dedicated teacher. I remember he would come to school early four days a week to conduct our high school band. In doing this, I think he demonstrated a lot of commitment and leadership, and I believe these qualities rubbed off on the students he taught. I havenā€™t seen him in a few years, but I do not doubt he is just as much the positive image today as he was when I was his student.

For me personally, Mr. McGrady has influenced the way I see the subject of music. I played saxophone in the high school band, and by watching Mr. McGrady interact with the different instrument groups, I saw first hand how these orchestral sections operate and come together to create music.

Mr. McGrady was also always trying to push students outside of their comfort zones, and this greatly influenced me. For example, he encouraged me to join a singing group that he had organized. I couldnā€™t sing then and I canā€™t sing now, but it was encouraging to feel that he believed enough in me to ask me to join.

So, overall, I feel Mr. McGrady, firstly, acted as a wonderful role model. Secondly, he taught me how to look at music differently. And thirdly he pushed me to try new things. These are the three main ways he influenced me, and Iā€™m very thankful I had a teacher like him.

Thank you. You mentioned you hadnā€™t see Mr. McGrady in a few years. Do you think you will see him again?

I hope so. I know heā€™s busy teaching his classes these days. I should drop by my old high school and see him and thank him again for the things he has done for me.

How important is it for people to have positive role models during their formative years?

I think it is quite key. Young people are very impressionistic, in my opinion. They are willing to mimic the actions of those around them. Surrounding a young person with positive role models gives these young people something healthy to aspire to be.

Do you think the role models young people look up to today are similar to the role models young people looked up to 25 years ago?

Hmm, thatā€™s an interesting question. I would say that the core values of todayā€™s role models are the same as 25 years ago. I think qualities like integrity, diligence, benevolence and reliability will always be considered positive. I suppose a difference today is that young people are exposed to more people through different media channels, so the pool of potential role models increases. I would say this is a positive thing, so long as parents ensure the role models young people look up to are healthy ones. But to answer your question, yes, I would say the majority of todayā€™s role models are more or less the same as 25 years ago.

What sorts of people make poor role models in your opinion?

People with serious personal problems, I think. Anger problems or people that have become generally disappointed with life. I donā€™t think they inspire hard work or ambition. Of course, people with substance abuse problems. Role models should be individuals that you can aspire to be. If that person has serious problems, then aspiring to be like them may not be healthy.

Do you think pop icons make good role models?

By pop icons you meanā€¦

ā€¦singers, actorsā€¦

Well, I think they can be role models. But the fact that they arenā€™t completely accessible to young people makes them significantly different. Young people canā€™t call up a pop icon and ask them for advice, for example. But, so long as the star is a good person, I donā€™t think they are a negative influence on a young person. So, yes, pop icons can make good role models, but young people also need role models they can talk to and learn directly from.

Are you anyoneā€™s role model?

Am I anyoneā€™s role modelā€¦ Yes. My cousin has a son, named Ethan. Heā€™s 5, and I see him every other week because they live here in Toronto. I think Ethan looks up to me. I guess thatā€™s partly because I am a man in his life that is a little younger than his father. I try my best to be a positive person so that he will aspire to be one, too.

Thank you. That is the end of the speaking test.