Mastering IELTS Speaking: How to Describe a Time When You Helped Someone Achieve Their Goal

Discussing personal experiences like helping others achieve their goals is a common theme in IELTS Speaking tests. This topic allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate events, express emotions, and reflect on personal growth. Let’s explore how to tackle this subject effectively to maximize your IELTS Speaking score.

Understanding the Topic

The topic “Describe a time when you helped someone achieve their goal” requires you to recall a specific instance where you played a supportive role in someone else’s success. This could range from assisting a friend with their studies to helping a colleague complete a work project.

Helping hand reaching out

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about helping others. Here’s a sample question with a suggested answer:

Q: Do you often help other people?
A: Absolutely, I believe in the power of cooperation. Whenever I have the opportunity, I try to lend a hand to those around me. It could be something as simple as assisting a classmate with a difficult assignment or volunteering at local community events. I find that helping others not only benefits them but also gives me a sense of fulfillment.

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Cue Card

Describe a time when you helped someone achieve their goal
You should say:

• Who you helped
• What their goal was
• How you helped them
• And explain how you felt about helping them

Sample Answer (Band 6-7)

I’d like to talk about a time when I helped my younger sister achieve her goal of improving her English language skills. My sister had always struggled with English in school and wanted to boost her confidence before an important exam.

Her main goal was to improve her speaking and writing abilities within a month. To help her, I created a study schedule that included daily conversations in English and regular writing exercises. We would spend an hour each evening practicing dialogues and discussing various topics. I also reviewed her essays and provided constructive feedback.

Throughout this process, I felt a strong sense of responsibility and pride. It was rewarding to see her progress day by day. By the end of the month, her English had noticeably improved, and she felt much more confident about her upcoming exam.

Helping my sister achieve her goal made me realize the importance of patience and consistent effort. It was a fulfilling experience that strengthened our bond as siblings.

Sample Answer (Band 8-9)

I’d like to recount an experience where I played a pivotal role in helping my colleague, Sarah, achieve her goal of securing a promotion at our workplace. Sarah had been eyeing a managerial position for quite some time but lacked confidence in her leadership skills.

Sarah’s primary objective was to enhance her project management abilities and develop a more assertive communication style within a span of three months. To facilitate this, I devised a comprehensive action plan that involved shadowing me during client meetings, collaborating on high-stakes projects, and participating in leadership workshops.

I took her under my wing, providing guidance and constructive feedback throughout the process. We would engage in role-playing exercises to practice handling challenging workplace scenarios. Additionally, I introduced her to key stakeholders in our company, helping her expand her professional network.

The entire experience was incredibly gratifying. Witnessing Sarah’s transformation from a hesitant team member to a confident leader was truly remarkable. Her growing self-assurance and improved skill set were evident in the way she tackled complex projects and articulated her ideas during meetings.

By the end of the three months, Sarah had not only achieved her goal of securing the promotion but had also exceeded expectations in her new role. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of mentorship and the profound impact we can have on others’ professional journeys. It was a mutually enriching experience that fostered a deep sense of camaraderie between us.

Follow-up Questions

Q: What challenges did you face while helping this person?
A: (Band 8-9) The primary challenge was striking a balance between providing support and encouraging independence. I had to resist the temptation to simply solve problems for Sarah and instead guide her towards finding solutions herself. This required considerable patience and thoughtful communication on my part. Additionally, aligning our schedules for regular mentoring sessions amidst our busy work lives was sometimes challenging, but we prioritized these meetings as they were crucial for her development.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Q: Do you think people nowadays are less willing to help others compared to the past?
A: (Band 6-7) I don’t think people are less willing to help others nowadays. In fact, with social media and technology, it’s easier for people to connect and offer help. We often see crowdfunding campaigns or volunteer opportunities shared online. However, our busy lifestyles might make it harder to find time to help others in person.

A: (Band 8-9) This is a nuanced issue that requires careful consideration. On one hand, our increasingly individualistic society and the fast-paced nature of modern life might suggest a decline in altruism. People often find themselves overwhelmed with personal and professional commitments, leaving less time for community engagement.

However, I would argue that the willingness to help has simply evolved rather than diminished. Technological advancements have facilitated new forms of assistance, such as online mentoring, crowdfunding for causes, and virtual volunteering. These platforms have expanded the reach and impact of individual contributions.

Moreover, there’s a growing awareness of social responsibility, particularly among younger generations. Many companies now incorporate corporate social responsibility into their core values, encouraging employees to engage in volunteer work.

So while the traditional forms of help might be less prevalent, I believe people today are finding innovative ways to support others, often with a broader global impact.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

1. Pivotal role (adjective) – /ˈpɪvətl rəʊl/ – Critically important
   Example: Her advice played a pivotal role in my decision to pursue further education.

2. Eye (verb) – /aɪ/ – To look at or view something with interest
   Example: He had been eyeing that promotion for months.

3. Devise (verb) – /dɪˈvaɪz/ – To plan or invent a complex procedure or system
   Example: We need to devise a strategy to increase our market share.

4. Take under one’s wing (idiom) – To protect and take care of someone
   Example: The experienced professor took the new researcher under his wing.

5. Exceed expectations (phrase) – To perform better than anticipated
   Example: The new product exceeded expectations in terms of sales.

Examiner’s Advice

To excel in the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when describing experiences like helping others achieve their goals:

1. Use a variety of vocabulary and complex sentence structures to demonstrate language proficiency.
2. Provide specific details and examples to make your answers more engaging and authentic.
3. Practice speaking on various topics to improve fluency and confidence.
4. Reflect on personal experiences and be prepared to discuss them in depth.
5. Listen carefully to the questions and address all parts in your response.

Remember, the key to a high score is not just in what you say, but how you say it. Aim for clarity, coherence, and confidence in your delivery.

For more tips on improving your IELTS Speaking skills, check out our guide on how to describe a time you helped someone achieve their goal in IELTS Speaking.