IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a Person Who Helped You

Now, in part two, I'm going to give you a topic.

You'll have one minute to prepare,

and then you should talk for one to two minutes.

Here's your topic. Describe a person who helped you.

Okay... can I make some notes?

Of course. There's paper and a pencil there.

All right? Your minute is up. Please start now.

Well, I'd like to talk about my neighbour, Mr Harris.

He was a retired engineer who lived next door to us.

When I was seventeen, I failed my maths exam badly.

I felt completely hopeless, and I almost gave up.

One afternoon, he saw me crying on the front steps,

and he offered to help me with maths twice a week.

Ha, to be honest, I wasn't keen at first.

But his lessons were nothing like school!

He used cooking and football to explain every formula!

Gradually, I started to actually enjoy solving problems.

A year later, I passed the exam with a top grade!

What I'll never forget is how patient he was.

He never once made me feel stupid.

That's why I'm now studying to be a teacher myself.

Thank you. Are you still in touch with him?

Sadly, he moved to Scotland a few years ago...

but we still send each other cards every Christmas.

Do you think you'll ever teach in the same way?

Definitely. I want my students to feel what I felt.

Thank you. Can I have the paper and pencil back, please?

Oh, of course! Here you are.