IELTS VocabMaster

Describe a new skill you learned when you were a child.

Describe a new skill you learned when you were a child. You should say: - what the skill was - when and how you learned it - who taught you this skill - and explain how you felt about learning it

Part 2 model answer

A skill I clearly remember learning as a child is swimming. I was around eight years old at the time, and I learned it in the pond behind my grandparents' house in our village.

Every year during the summer holidays, our family used to visit the village for a few weeks. My cousins there could all swim really well, and I used to feel left out because I could only sit on the steps of the pond and watch them splash around. So one summer, my uncle decided it was time for me to learn.

He taught me in a very traditional way. First, he tied a dried coconut shell, or sometimes an empty plastic bottle, around my waist so that I could float. Then he held me under my stomach and told me to kick my legs and move my arms. At first, I was absolutely terrified. I swallowed quite a lot of water and even cried a couple of times. But my uncle was very patient and kept encouraging me. After about two weeks of practising every morning, I could finally swim a short distance on my own without any support.

I still remember how proud and excited I felt that day. I ran straight home, completely soaked, to tell my mother. Looking back, it wasn't just about learning to swim. It taught me how to overcome fear and keep trying even when something feels difficult. And practically speaking, it's a really important life skill, especially in a country like Bangladesh, where there are rivers and ponds almost everywhere.

Part 3 discussion

What skills should children learn at a young age?

I think basic life skills like swimming, cycling, and simple cooking are very useful. Social skills, like sharing and communicating, are also really important. And nowadays, learning a second language early is a big advantage, because children pick up languages much more easily than adults.

Is it easier for children to learn new skills than adults?

In many ways, yes. Children's brains are more flexible, and they're usually less afraid of making mistakes. They also have more free time to practise. Adults, on the other hand, are more focused and disciplined, so they can learn efficiently if they're motivated.

Should parents push their children to learn many skills?

To some extent, encouragement is good, but pushing too hard can backfire. If children are forced into too many activities, they may feel stressed and lose interest. I believe parents should let children try different things and then support them in what they genuinely enjoy.

Who plays a bigger role in teaching children skills, parents or teachers?

I'd say parents play a bigger role, especially in the early years, because children spend most of their time at home and copy their parents' behaviour. Teachers are more important for academic skills. Ideally, both should work together to help a child develop fully.

Do children today learn different skills compared to children in the past?

Definitely. In the past, children learned more outdoor and practical skills, like climbing trees, fishing, or helping with farming. Today, children are much better with technology, like using tablets or even basic coding. But unfortunately, many of them lack physical and outdoor skills.