IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Work & study
Describe a subject you enjoyed studying at school
Describe a subject you enjoyed studying at school
You should say:
- what the subject was
- when you studied it
- who taught this subject
and explain why you found this subject so enjoyable.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
what the subject was
Subject: World History, focusing on ancient civilisations and major political revolutions.
- 2
when you studied it
When: Secondary school years, studied for two years between ages fourteen and sixteen.
- 3
who taught this subject
Teacher: Mr. Davies, an enthusiastic teacher who taught using engaging storytelling.
- 4
and explain why you found this subject so enjoyable.
Why/Closing: Interactive debates and storytelling sparked a lifelong passion for learning history.
Sample answer
about 213 words · 2 minutesThe subject I really enjoyed studying back in my secondary school days was World History. I studied this particular subject for about two years, between the ages of fourteen and sixteen, which was a time when I was starting to become much more curious about how the world works. Our teacher was a brilliant man named Mr. Davies. What made him so memorable was his unique approach to teaching. Instead of forcing us to copy long notes from boring textbooks or endlessly memorise dates, he treated every single lesson like a captivating story. He would walk us through ancient civilisations, dramatic political revolutions, and major cultural shifts with so much enthusiasm that the whole room was always completely hooked. He also organised regular classroom debates where we had to step into the shoes of historical figures and defend their decisions. I found history so thoroughly enjoyable primarily because it was so interactive and thought-provoking. It never felt like a tedious chore; instead, it helped me understand the roots of contemporary global issues and human behavior. Looking back, those history classes did far more than just help me pass my end-of-year examinations. They sparked a lifelong passion for reading, broadened my perspective on different cultures, and taught me how to analyze complex events critically.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
secondary school days
I made some of my best friends during my secondary school days.
captivating story
The novelist spun a captivating story that kept readers engaged throughout.
step into the shoes of
To be an effective leader, you must step into the shoes of your team members.
thoroughly enjoyable
Our weekend trip to the national park was thoroughly enjoyable.
broadened my perspective
Studying abroad during college broadened my perspective on global politics.
Common mistakes
I was very like studying history at school.
I really enjoyed studying history at school.
Incorrect verb pattern; 'like' should not follow 'was' in this context.
My teacher was teaching very good so I liked it.
My teacher taught very well, so I really enjoyed the subject.
Use adverbs like 'well' to modify verbs, not adjectives like 'good'.
History is my favourite subject when I was young.
History was my favourite subject when I was young.
Inconsistent verb tense when discussing past school experiences.
Tips for a higher band
- Use a range of past structures, such as used to, past simple, and past continuous, to show grammatical flexibility.
- Avoid simply listing facts or dates; focus on personal reflections, the teacher's style, and your reasons for enjoying it.
- Use natural signposting expressions like 'looking back', 'primarily because', and 'what made it stand out' to link your ideas seamlessly.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- Do you think practical subjects are more useful for students than theoretical ones?
- How has technology changed the way school subjects are taught nowadays?
- Should schools allow students to choose all their subjects, or should some remain compulsory?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.