In this article we will delve into one of the most popular topics for the IELTS Speaking Parts 1-3: Education and Studies. Our aim is to provide you with sample questions and answers, as well as some valuable IELTS Speaking tips to help you excel in this particular area.
Here are some sample questions related to the Education and Studies topic you may be asked on the exam.
- What school subjects do you think are the most important ones?
- What subjects will be the most important ones in the future?
- What subjects should be optional and which ones should be compulsory?
- Do you think it would be a good idea to let high school students choose the subjects they study?
- Describe a subject you did not like when you were at school but which you find interesting now.
- Describe an indoor game you enjoyed playing in your childhood.
- What are you studying?
- Why did you choose to study that major?
- What’s the most difficult part of your study?
- What do you like most about your school?
- What school subjects do you think are the most important ones?
I can’t tell for sure, but I suppose that in our modern world it is absolutely crucial to know the basics of IT and Mathematics to meet the requirements of society. However, the humanities play a great role in the development of critical thinking. And of course, natural sciences are essential too. The importance of other subjects depends on the child's talent and preferences.
2. What subjects will be the most important ones in the future?
In my opinion, learning IT would be of great importance. New up-to-date technologies are developing at the high-speed. And education should keep up with this trend. I suppose we are going to have subjects connected with Artificial Intelligence soon. Also we live in a globalised world, so learning several foreign languages is becoming “a must”.
3. What subjects should be optional and which ones should be compulsory?
That is not a straight-forward question. As I see it, subjects like Maths, Science, Languages, History and IT should be obligatory for all to provide students with a general understanding of the world. And subjects like Art or Physical education can become optional. Moreover, I suppose students should spend more time learning the subject they have a talent for.
4. Do you think it would be a good idea to let high school students choose the subjects they study?
Generally speaking, this idea has its pros and cons. On the one hand, that will allow students to study what they are really interested in and can boost their motivation and creativity. On the other hand, they are not mature and skillful enough to choose the best range of subjects that would be applicable to a certain career path. So I suppose that professional scientists and methodologists will do that better.
5. Describe a subject you did not like when you were at school but which you find interesting now.
School years play an important role in personality development. But we change, and our views and preferences change with us. To begin with, I was a good and diligent student at school. Classmates even called me a bookworm or a teacher's pet. I was really good at Maths and languages. However, I found some subjects more difficult than the others. And if you don’t understand the subject, you won’t love it. I had such a situation with Science, especially Biology.
Firstly, I didn’t like the teacher. I suppose it is quite a common problem among kids. If they don’t love the teacher, they consider the subject to be boring and lose their motivation. Secondly, I couldn’t understand some aspects of Biology, like Genetics or Anatomy. I used to spend at least two or three hours a day doing homework or preparing for a test in Biology. But everything was useless. I just got bad marks.
The most amazing thing is that now I have a completely different attitude to this subject. I suppose, it is really important and useful to understand the laws of nature, the development of all living things. It contributes to the understanding of yourself. Besides, I have grown a wonderful garden with the help of botany. That’s all I wanted to say.
6. Describe an indoor game you enjoyed playing in your childhood.
Games play an important role in the mental and physical development of children. Kids can benefit a lot from doing sports. And indoor games also help social skills to evolve.
When I was a child I enjoyed both indoor and outdoor games.
Frankly speaking, I was crazy about table games and puzzles. But my favourite one was snake and ladders and different variations of it.
I used to spend hours playing it with my friends when they came to my house. It was so challenging. I still remember that feeling of competition when you nearly lose and then suddenly win everybody over.
Moreover, when the weather was bad and it was raining my mother sometimes agreed to play that game with me in our living room. It was absolutely amazing even if she surrendered!
7. What are you studying?
Well, I’m majoring in Accountancy, so as you can guess, I deal a lot with numbers and figures day in, day out. It can be overwhelming at times, but I think that I have a knack for mathematics and calculations, so it’s okay.
8. Why did you choose to study that major?
There are many reasons for my choice. Primarily, I have an interest in Accountancy. Another reason could be because of Accountancy itself since I’ve found that my personality has changed positively. I’ve become more patient and skillful
9. What’s the most difficult part of your study?
Well, for the most part, I’d say it’s the workload. I mean there are so many assignments, and students are always under a lot of pressure to meet deadlines. But on the other hand, exams are a piece of cake. They are entirely predictable, and I can pretty much breeze through them with a bit of revision.
10. What do you like most about your school?
I guess the aspect I find most enjoyable is the environment. I mean, I get to study in English-speaking classrooms, and the facilities are top-notch; I mean, all the classrooms are air-conditioned and equipped with projectors. My friends and teachers are all adorable, so, all in all, it’s a great place to study.
Education and Studies Vocabulary
The following list of vocabulary and phrases can help you expand your lexicon on the Education and Studies topic. This will enable you to express yourself more accurately during the IELTS Speaking exam.
- vital / crucial
- balanced
- approach to...
- modern technologies
- to catch up with...
- to involve
- to provide children with...
- to meet needs
- pioneering / the latest / cutting-edge
- to revolutionize
- standards / requirements
- math / biology / chemistry / physics
- I couldn't stand...
- to be good / bad at...
- a variety of activities
- to design for...
- to motivate
- to encourage
- complex / boring
- specific course / program
- knowledge
- critical thinking
- problem-solving
- a computer / video game
- a card game
- a board game
- a team game
- the rules of the game
- the winning team/player
- a big win
- a reward / prize
- to be experienced in...
- Practice makes perfect.
- to play against...
- to have fun
- a lifelong / childhood friend
- to connect with...
- to get along with others
- social skills
By familiarizing yourself with these questions and practicing your responses, you can enhance your speaking skills and boost your confidence for the IELTS Speaking test.
Furthermore, we introduced the IELTS Speaking simulator by SmallTalk2Me, which offers a convenient and efficient way to practice authentic IELTS speaking questions, receive personalized feedback and track your progress. With such regular practice you can approach the IELTS Speaking exam with confidence and achieve your desired results.
