IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a time when you moved to a new school.
You should say:
- when it was
- why you moved to a new school
- how old you were then
and explain how you felt about it.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Not sure how many of us really needed to move to new schools when growing up as a child, but I needed to do so a few times because of my father’s profession. Today, I would like to talk about one of those few times when I moved to a new school.
It happened about 12 years ago when I was about 14 years old and was in my 8th grade. Back then, we, together with my parents and my siblings, all moved to a nice little town because my father got promoted in his job.
Initially, I wasn’t really sure whether to like the new place or not. But after a few days, I started to tell myself that it wasn’t exactly a bad place to live. However, when it came to getting admission to my new high school, I felt really shocked because of the fact that the staff members were not exactly as helpful as those at my previous school. In fact, I had to go to my new high school a couple of times just to get admission. However, when I actually started my classes, I found out that my fellow classmates were rather nice and helpful. In fact, the class captain ordered all the students to introduce themselves to me. This particular good gesture on the part of my fellow classmates actually helped me get over the initial shock of starting my new high school.
Slowly after that, I started to like my new school and its environment. Even the staff members and teachers started to recognise me as I started to perform well in my class.
Frankly speaking, moving to this new high school was a bit of a shocking experience initially for me, as I wasn’t exactly treated very nicely. But I kept telling myself to be patient. I also realised that in life, things don’t always turn out to be the way we expect and that we should always remain positive in life if we really want to improve and succeed in life.
Model Answer 2:
To be honest with you, reflecting on my transition to a new school brings back a mix of emotions – a blend of excitement, apprehension, and anticipation. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my academic journey, shaping my experiences and perspectives in profound ways. I would like to thank you for this nice topic and the opportunity to let me talk about a time when I moved to a new school.
The transition to a new school occurred during my early adolescence when I was around 12 years old. My family relocated to a different city due to my father’s job transfer, necessitating a change in schools. While the move brought with it the promise of new opportunities and adventures, it also meant leaving behind familiar surroundings, friends, and routines.
The decision to move to a new school was primarily driven by my father’s career advancement and the need to accommodate our family’s changing circumstances. Despite the challenges posed by uprooting our lives and starting anew in an unfamiliar environment, my parents emphasised the importance of embracing change and seizing the opportunities that lay ahead.
As a pre-teen grappling with the prospect of adjusting to a new school and forging new friendships, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions. There was a palpable sense of excitement at the prospect of exploring a different educational setting and meeting new classmates. However, this was tempered by feelings of nervousness and uncertainty about fitting in and adapting to unfamiliar surroundings.
In retrospect, the experience of moving to a new school proved to be a formative period of personal and academic development. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of embracing change as an integral part of life’s journey.
Idea Generation for this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card Topic
This topic asks you to describe a time when you moved to a new school. You should clearly mention when it happened, why the move was necessary, how old you were at that time, and how you felt during and after the transition. To make your answer more effective, include emotional details such as nervousness, excitement, or loneliness, along with how you adjusted to the new environment. Here are some ideas to help you brainstorm for your own idea:
1. Moving due to my father’s job transfer:
One significant time I changed schools was when my father got transferred to another city, and this happened when I was around 12 years old. The move was necessary because my entire family had to relocate. Initially, I felt quite anxious because I had to leave my close friends behind and start fresh. However, over time, I adapted to the new environment and even made better friendships, which made me feel more confident and mature.
2. Switching to a better academic school:
There was a time when I moved to a new school mainly for better academic opportunities, and I was about 14 years old then. My parents believed the new school had higher standards and more experienced teachers. At first, I felt pressured because the environment was more competitive. Gradually, I began to enjoy the challenge and felt proud of being part of a more disciplined institution.
3. Changing schools after primary education:
After completing my primary education, I had to move to a secondary school, and I was around 11 years old at that time. This change was quite natural as my previous school did not offer higher grades. I remember feeling both excited and nervous because everything was new, including the teachers and classmates. Eventually, I enjoyed the new environment as it offered more opportunities and activities.
4. Moving due to family relocation:
At one point, my family moved to a different neighbourhood, which required me to change schools when I was about 10 years old. The decision was made mainly for convenience and better living conditions. I felt quite upset at first because I missed my old friends and familiar surroundings. However, the new school turned out to be friendly, and I slowly started enjoying my time there.
5. Transferring to an English-medium school:
A memorable change happened when I transferred to an English-medium school at the age of 13. The reason was to improve my language skills and get better exposure. Initially, I struggled to keep up with the lessons and felt slightly uncomfortable. Over time, I improved my communication skills and felt very proud of adapting to a completely new system.
6. Moving because of academic performance:
There was a time when I had to switch schools because my parents thought I needed a more structured environment to improve academically. I was around 15 years old then. At first, I felt a bit disappointed, thinking I was being forced into something. However, later I realised it helped me become more focused, and I felt grateful for the change.
7. Changing schools for extracurricular opportunities:
I remember moving to a new school when I was about 13 years old because it offered better extracurricular activities like sports and music. My parents encouraged this decision to help me grow beyond academics. Initially, I felt uncertain because I did not know anyone there. Soon, I became actively involved in activities and felt more confident and happy.
8. Moving to a school closer to home:
Another time I changed schools was when my parents decided to enrol me in a school closer to our home, and I was around 9 years old. The reason was to reduce travel time and make my routine easier. At first, I felt a little uncomfortable adjusting to new teachers and classmates. Eventually, I enjoyed the convenience and built strong friendships, which made the experience positive.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card:
When describing a move to a new school, using vocabulary that contrasts your initial nervousness with your eventual integration is key. These terms help illustrate the emotional journey and the social challenges of a new environment. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Relocation: The action of moving to a new place and establishing one’s home or business there.
Example: My relocation to a different city meant I had to leave all my childhood friends behind.
Apprehensive: Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
Example: I felt incredibly apprehensive on my first day, wondering if I would fit in with my new classmates.
Adjustment period: A length of time during which someone gets used to a new situation.
Example: There was a difficult adjustment period during the first month while I learned the new school’s layout and rules.
Daunting: Seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating.
Example: Walking into a crowded assembly hall full of strangers was a daunting prospect for a ten-year-old.
Uproot: To move someone from their home or a familiar location, often against their will.
Example: It was hard to be uprooted in the middle of the academic year, but my parents promised it was for the best.
Bittersweet: Arousing pleasure tinged with sadness or regret.
Example: Leaving my old school was bittersweet; I was excited for a fresh start, but sad to say goodbye to my favourite teachers.
Clique: A small, exclusive group of people who do not readily allow others to join them.
Example: It can be challenging to break into established cliques when you are the new student in class.
Integrate: To mix with and join a group of people, often changing to suit their way of life.
Example: Joining the football team was the fastest way for me to integrate into the new student body.
Icebreaker: An activity or event that helps people feel more relaxed and get to know each other.
Example: Our homeroom teacher organised a few icebreakers to help the new students feel more welcome.
Unfamiliar: Not known or recognised.
Example: Navigating the unfamiliar hallways of a large secondary school was quite a challenge at first.
Milestone: A significant stage or event in the development of something.
Example: Moving schools at the age of twelve felt like a major milestone in my personal growth.
Peer group: A group of people of approximately the same age, status, and interests.
Example: Finding a supportive peer group made the transition much smoother and more enjoyable.
Homesick: Feeling a longing for one’s home during a period of absence from it.
Example: I felt a bit homesick for my old school’s playground during the first few weeks.
Assimilate: To take in and fully understand information or ideas; to become part of a community.
Example: It took some time, but I eventually managed to assimilate into the new school culture.
Inquisitive: Having or showing an interest in learning things; curious.
Example: My new classmates were very inquisitive, asking me dozens of questions about where I had come from.
Fresh start: An opportunity to begin something again in a new or different way.
Example: I looked at the move as a fresh start where I could reinvent myself and try new extracurricular activities.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe a time when you moved to a new school”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a time when you moved to a new home or school.
2) Describe something you remember about your first day at a new school.
3) Describe a decision that took you a long time to make.
4) Describe a time when you stayed far away from your home.
5) Describe a memorable childhood event/experience you can remember.
6) Describe a memorable event in your life.