Sample IELTS Speaking Part 2, 3: Describe a teacher

The IELTS Speaking Part 2 topic "Describe a teacher" is relatively straightforward for candidates under the "Describe a people" category. To handle this task comprehensively and effectively, PREP advises that you closely follow the cue cards provided in the prompt. Below is a sample response for Part 2 along with a model answer for Part 3 on the topic "Describe a teacher". Review this to effectively practice Speaking at home.

Additionally, you can also apply this sample response to other related topics such as: Describe your favorite teacher, Describe your teacher, Describe your best teacher, or Describe a good teacher!

I. Sample IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a teacher

1. Cue card: Describe a teacher

Describe your favorite teacher. You should say:       

• What this teacher look like?       

• What sort of person this teacher is?

• What this teacher helped you to learn?

And explain why this teacher is your favorite.

2. Outline: Part 2

2.1. Sample idea

• The "Describe a teacher" IELTS task requires the candidate to describe a teacher they admire, providing information on: 

  • What the teacher looks like

  • What kind of person the teacher is

  • How the teacher has helped you learn

  • Explain why this teacher is your favorite

• The "Describe a teacher" task falls under the broader category of "People". To effectively handle this task, the best approach is to closely follow the cues provided in the prompt and provide the clearest information possible, avoiding vague generalities.

• For the first question on what the teacher looks like, you can draw from your personal experience with this person - you can describe their physical appearance, dress, demeanor, or emotional expressions.

• Next, the second question asks about what kind of person the teacher is. 

  • In this question, you can seamlessly incorporate answers to the next two questions as well - how the teacher has helped you learn, and why this teacher is your favorite. When analyzing the characteristics of this teacher, you can relate how those personality traits have benefited your learning (through their teaching methods) - these are the reasons you like this teacher.

  • You don't need to strictly separate the questions in the "Describe a teacher" task. The questions about characteristics, personality, actions, and reasons for liking can all be woven together into a cohesive response following the pattern: What kind of person they are - What actions they take - How those actions have benefited you and made you like them.

2.2. One-minute note taking

3. Sample Speaking: Describe a teacher

The following is a sample IELTS Speaking Part 2 response on the topic of "Describe a teacher". Review this sample writing to effectively practice for the IELTS exam at home.

3.1. Sample 1

Let's listen to the IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample podcast - Describe a teacher:

Well, I have to say that I am quite fortunate to have been taught under the guidance of various wonderful teachers. However, if I am to pick only one of them, who I really look up to as a role model, it will have to be Ms. Anna, my teacher of English back when I was a secondary student.

Ms. Anna started teaching us when we entered grade 6. To be honest, I was a little preoccupied when I met her for the first time. She always kept a straight face and really came across as a tough person. She was also way older than us, which even made me think that sooner or later, there would be a generation gap, and that she would not fully understand us. However, the way she taught and treated us changed my mind, one hundred percent. 

She definitely grew on me as time went by. She possessed an out-of-the-box teaching approach. Unlike conventional classes where students stick to their seats for hours just to take in theoretical knowledge, hers were always full of intriguing activities, for example, group discussions, debates and sometimes, singing sessions to help us have a more comprehensive understanding of the lessons.

Not only did we have the opportunity to improve our grammatical skills, but we managed to brush up on our soft skills as well, such as critical thinking, and communication to name but a few.

What makes me, and my peers adore her, even more, is that she is a teacher with a kind heart. You know, teenage years may be a phase filled with unstable feelings and rebellious attitudes, and ours were no exception. Witnessing all of our mental transformations, she realized that those were part of our personal growth. Whenever we had struggles, she would kindly listen to us and give us advice.

All in all, Ms. Anna has had a tremendous influence on my education. She’s more of an inspirer to me, who taught me a bunch of lessons both in and out of the classroom, helping me to become a better version of myself. Such a blessing that I was one of her students.

Below are some high-scoring vocabulary words used in the IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample response on the topic of "Describe a teacher":

• Preoccupied (with) - worried, concerned

• Keep a straight face - to remain serious, not show emotion

• Generation gap - the difference in attitudes and values between different generations

• A Grow on B - A gradually makes B like it more, B develops more affinity for A

• Out-of-the-box - creative, unconventional

• Conventional - traditional, typical

• Take in - to absorb, comprehend

• Comprehensive - thorough, covering all aspects

• Brush up on - to improve, refine

• Peer - someone of the same age or status

• Blessing - a wonderful thing, a gift

3.2. Sample 2

Throughout my academic years, the teacher that has the most positive influence on me up until now is Mrs. Linda. She is a young teacher teaching core business subjects at my university. Ever since my freshman year, I have heard a great deal of stories about her, and she is truly a living legend who is worshiped by every student.
I first attended her class on International Business last year and it was amazing. She never checked attendance, but her classes were always full for some reasons, and there might even be some auditors from other majors. I think it was the interactive teaching method that maked her classes different from the others. At the end of every lesson, she gave us some reference materials and book recommendations to do the reading and research at home, and we would use what we found to discuss relevant case studies in the next class. She was very devoted to having her students understand rather than just remember, so she helped us break down and analyze all information, encouraged us to raise our voices in class, and made sure that we can grasp the intricacies of the subject. With her great sense of humor, she also told us jokes sometimes or carried out small games to cheer up the atmosphere.
I later on had a chance to work with Mrs. Linda as her assistant for a scientific research project. I have gained many skills and developed a good habit of reading, of which all the credit goes to Mrs Anh. I’ve always held her in high esteem, and during that time, we were able to develop a more personal connection, and now I can see her not only as a mentor but also as a great friend. She has changed my point of view on so many aspects and ignited my passion for researching. She is the person that I can turn to for help whenever I have a problem even if it is outside of school. I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done for me during my university years. 

• check attendance - to take attendance

• auditor (n) - a student who attends a class without formally enrolling

• interactive teaching method (n) - a teaching approach that encourages student participation and interaction

• case study (n) - a detailed analysis of a real-life situation or problem, used for research and learning purposes

• reference material (n) - supplementary resources used to support learning

• to break down smt - to analyze and divide something into smaller, more manageable parts

• intricacy - complexity, detailed and intricate nature

• the credit goes to sb - the recognition or praise belongs to someone

• hold sb in high esteem - to greatly respect and admire someone

• ignite one's passion - to spark or awaken someone's enthusiasm and excitement

• turn to sb for smt - to seek something (support, advice, help, etc.) from someone. 

II. Sample IELTS Speaking Part 3: Teacher

Let's listen to the IELTS Speaking Part 3 sample podcast - Teacher:

1. What role should the teacher have in a classroom?

First and foremost, teachers should assume the responsibility of educating their students. Specifically, he or she must be the one to prepare and execute lesson plans, impart knowledge to the students, and make sure that they can have a grasp of what is taught. Moreover, it is imperative for the teacher to play the role of a companion, a mentor, or even an inspirer, who can be students’ support systems, willing to teach them a bunch of things out of the classroom, give them instructions and encouragement to always move forward. 

• Assume the responsibility - to take on or accept a responsibility

• Have a grasp of something - to have a thorough understanding of something

• Support system - the network of people who provide encouragement and assistance to an individual

2. Do you think computers will one day replace teachers in the classroom?

It is undeniable that computers have done students a huge favor by facilitating the experience in the classroom. However, it cannot replace teachers. A teacher is more than just a tool for providing knowledge. He or she can even be a mentor, or inspiration for students, giving them the answer to inexplicable problems on the Internet and precious advice.

Moreover, it is notable that there are a variety of human skills that can never be taught by technology, for example, communication and time management. Therefore, the role of teachers is still and will always be of great importance in the class. 

• Do somebody a favor - to help or assist someone

• Facilitate (v) - to make something easier or more possible

• Inexplicable (a) - unable to be explained or accounted for

3. How can a teacher make lessons for children more interesting?

In order to zhuzh up the lessons, instead of forcing students to stick to their seats for hours, it is better to integrate technology and allow room for student engagement with hands-on activities. To begin with, the teacher can make use of the applications available on their devices to create intellectual games for students to play and connect to a classroom in another region via videoconferencing.

Additionally, by organizing interactive activities for students, such as group discussions or debates, the teacher can make sure that they have the chance to acquire and apply knowledge to real situations, and simultaneously, brush up on their personal skills, such as communication. 

• Zhuzh up - to make something more interesting or exciting

• Hands-on (a) - involving or relating to the practical application of ideas

• Simultaneously (adv) - at the same time

This article has provided the most comprehensive IELTS Speaking Part 2 + 3 sample responses on the topic of "Describe a teacher", compiled by the teachers at PREP. If you want more ideas to conquer the IELTS Speaking skills, don't miss the IELTS Online courses at PREP. The teachers are always there to accompany you on your journey to conquer IELTS!