Describe one of your friends who learned something without a teacher
Cue Card Topic
Describe one of your friends who learned something without a teacher.
You should say:
- Who he/she is
- What he/she learned
- Why he/she learned this
- And explain whether it would be easier to learn from a teacher
💡 You have 1 minute to prepare. Speak for 1–2 minutes.
Sample Answer
I would like to talk about my close friend, Amit, who is an incredibly resourceful and self-motivated individual. We have been friends since our college days in Delhi, and he has always had a unique knack for picking up new skills independently.
What he learned
A couple of years ago, Amit managed to master the art of video editing and digital animation completely from scratch. He learned how to use complex, industry-standard professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects without enrolling in any formal academy or seeking professional tutoring.
Why he learned this
He chose to learn this skill because he wanted to launch his own YouTube channel focused on travel vlogging across India. He quickly realized that hiring a professional editor would be prohibitively expensive for a college student, so he decided to take matters into his own hands. His deep passion for visual storytelling and content creation was the driving force that kept him motivated through the steep learning curve.
Explain whether it would be easier to learn from a teacher
While he succeeded spectacularly on his own, I definitely believe having a teacher would have made his learning journey significantly easier and faster. Learning independently meant he had to spend countless hours searching for quality tutorials online, diagnosing errors, and troubleshooting software glitches by trial and error. A structured course led by an experienced mentor would have provided him with a clear roadmap, immediate feedback, and saved him from a vast amount of frustration. Nonetheless, self-learning gave him an unmatched sense of accomplishment and allowed him to learn at his own unhurried pace.
Follow-up Questions
Is it necessary to keep learning after graduating from school?
Absolutely. In today's rapidly evolving job market, continuous learning is not just an option; it is an absolute necessity. Graduating from school or university only provides us with foundational academic knowledge, whereas the real world demands continuous upskilling. For instance, with the rapid integration of artificial intelligence and digital technology in Indian workplaces, professionals must constantly learn new tools to remain employable and competitive.
Should teachers make learning in their classes fun?
Yes, indeed. When teachers incorporate interactive activities, real-life examples, or educational games into their lessons, it captivates students' attention and boosts their engagement levels. Rather than relying purely on rote memorization, creating a lively environment makes complex concepts much easier to digest. It also fosters a lifelong love for learning instead of turning education into a tedious chore.
Do you think there are too many subjects for students to learn?
I do believe that the current academic curriculum can be quite overwhelming for young minds. Students are often burdened with an extensive array of subjects simultaneously, ranging from advanced mathematics to multiple regional languages, which leaves them with very little time to explore their actual interests. This academic pressure can sometimes lead to mental fatigue and prevent deep, conceptual understanding of any single discipline.
Is it better to focus on a few subjects or to learn many subjects?
In my opinion, a balanced approach is best. During the early years of schooling, studying a wide variety of subjects is beneficial because it helps children build a broad cognitive foundation and discover where their true interests lie. However, as students progress to higher education, they should definitely narrow their focus to a few key areas to develop specialized expertise, which is highly valued in the modern workforce.
Do you think enterprises should provide training for their employees?
Without a doubt, corporate training is a win-win situation for both employers and employees. Technology and industry standards change rapidly, and providing regular training sessions ensures that the workforce remains highly efficient and proficient with the latest trends. Furthermore, when companies invest in their employees' professional growth, it dramatically improves job satisfaction and boosts overall retention rates.
Ravi Patel is the founder of IELTS Rewind, an online platform dedicated to helping students prepare more effectively for the IELTS exam through practical study resources and modern learning tools. The platform was created with the idea that IELTS preparation should be clear, accessible, and focused on real exam needs rather than overwhelming learners with unnecessary complexity.
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