Last Updated on July 5, 2025
“Describe a skill you want to learn” is a common cue card in IELTS Speaking Part 2. In this article, you will find four sample answers, vocabulary for Band 9 scores, follow-up questions from Part 3, and a breakdown of what this topic assesses.
This cue card tests your ability to talk about goals, express future intentions, and explain motivation with clarity.
Learn how to answer “Describe a skill you want to learn” with IELTS sample answers, Band 9 vocabulary, follow-up questions, expert tips, and a structured speaking approach.
Cue Card Topic Breakdown
You will have:
- 1 minute to prepare
- 1–2 minutes to speak
Describe a skill you want to learn
You should say:
- What the skill is
- Why you want to learn it
- How you plan to learn it
- How it will help you in the future
- And explain how you would feel after learning it
Why This Cue Card Matters
This cue card helps examiners assess your ability to:
- Express future goals with clarity
- Talk about personal development and motivation
- Use future tense and conditional statements effectively
- Structure your ideas in a logical sequence
Learning to Play the Guitar: Describe a skill you want to learn
What is the skill?
Playing the guitar is the skill I intend to learn.
What is your interest in learning it?
I have always been keen on music. I always consider guitar melodies to be calm, and I always wanted to play my favorite songs by myself.
How are you going to learn it?
I will attend weekend courses in a local music school and watch online lessons during my leisure time.
What use will it be in the future?
It will allow me to relax, be creative with myself, and perhaps even sing at family functions or parties.
What would you feel having learned it?
I would feel good and I would feel accomplished. Transforming a dream to a real talent would be gratifying.
Mastering Public Speaking: Describe a skill you want to learn
What is the skill?
The skill I want to learn is public speaking.
Why do you want to learn it?
I often struggle to speak confidently in front of an audience. Learning this skill would help me in both academics and my future career.
How will you learn it?
I plan to join a public speaking club like Toastmasters and practice by participating in seminars and debates.
How will it help you in the future?
Good communication is essential in almost every field. It would boost my confidence and open more leadership opportunities.
How would you feel after learning it?
I would feel empowered. Speaking fluently without fear would be a big personal win.
Foreign Language: Describe a skill you want to learn
What is the skill?
I want to learn the German language.
Why do you want to learn it?
I’m planning to study in Germany, and knowing the local language would make life much easier and more enriching.
How will you learn it?
I’ve already enrolled in an online A1 German language course with certification. I also plan to practice with native speakers.
How will it help you in the future?
It will help me communicate, integrate better into society, and improve my job prospects in Germany.
How would you feel after learning it?
I’d feel more prepared, confident, and culturally connected.
Digital Marketing: Describe a skill you want to learn
What is the skill?
I want to learn digital marketing.
Why do you want to learn it?
I am a content creator and a social media enthusiast. Mastering digital marketing would help me make my passion a profession.
How are you going to learn it?
I will undertake a certified online course, work on real-time projects, and attend workshops to get practical experience.
What is its use to you in the future?
It will enable me to freelance, develop my brand or even work with businesses to develop their online presence.
What are your thoughts about the learning?
I would feel career-ready and competent. It would make me feel highly purposeful.
Follow-Up Questions: Describe a skill you want to learn
Why is it important to keep learning new skills?
Because it helps us grow, stay competitive, and adapt to a constantly changing world.
What skills are most useful in today’s world?
Skills like communication, digital literacy, problem-solving, and time management are highly valued.
Do people learn differently as they get older?
Yes. Young people may learn quickly but older learners are often more disciplined and focused.
Is it better to learn a skill alone or with a teacher?
Both have benefits. Self-learning offers flexibility, but a teacher can provide structure and feedback.
How do skills affect a person’s career?
Skills determine employability. The more relevant and diverse your skills, the more options you have in your career.
Vocabulary to Use for This Cue Card
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Self-improvement | Act of bettering oneself | I believe in constant self-improvement. |
| Practical application | Real-world use of a skill | This course offers practical application of marketing theories. |
| Communication barrier | Difficulty in speaking effectively | Language skills help break communication barriers. |
| Career boost | Positive impact on job prospects | This skill will give my career a major boost. |
| Confidence builder | Something that increases self-belief | Public speaking is a great confidence builder. |
| Hands-on learning | Learning by doing | I prefer hands-on learning through live projects. |
| Long-term goal | Something you plan to achieve over time | This is part of my long-term goal to become an entrepreneur. |
| Self-paced | At your own speed | Online courses offer self-paced learning. |
| Culturally enriching | Enhances cultural understanding | Learning a language is a culturally enriching experience. |
| Personal milestone | A significant personal achievement | Mastering this skill would be a personal milestone. |
Related Topics for IELTS Prep
- Describe an important day in your life
- Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
- Describe a Historical Building You Have Been To
- Describe an Item of Clothing Someone Gave You
- Describe a Place You Would Like to Live in the Future
- Describe an Old Person Who Has Had an Interesting Life
- Describe a Place in Your City Where You Can See Wildlife
Summary
| Section | Key Points |
| Cue Card Breakdown | Focuses on future goals and self-improvement |
| Sample Answers | Four examples in music, communication, languages, and marketing |
| Vocabulary Bank | Terms for learning, motivation, and future use |
| Follow-Up Questions | Covers lifelong learning, career value, and learning methods |
| Related Topics | Cue cards around goals, growth, and learning new things |
Final thoughts on the topic “Describe a Skill You Want to Learn”
This IELTS cue card is an opportunity to demonstrate ambition, aspiration, and sense of direction. Select a skill that you really feel passionate about and explain why it is so. Be prepared with well organized ideas, a powerful word choice and expressions that make you look towards the future. Emphasize how your goal relates to the skill you are pursuing, be it personal, academic or professional.
FAQs
What is the skill of wanting to learn?
The skill of wanting to learn refers to identifying a specific ability or talent you genuinely wish to develop for personal or professional growth.
How do you answer what skills do you want to learn?
You answer by naming a skill, explaining why you want to learn it, how you plan to do so, and how it will benefit your future.
What is a skill you want to learn in English?
A skill you may want to learn in English could be public speaking, writing, or fluency—especially if you’re preparing for IELTS or studying abroad.
What skill is the best to learn?
The best skill to learn is one that aligns with your goals—such as digital marketing, communication, coding, or language proficiency.
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