IELTS Speaking: Adult Education and Lifelong Learning Topics

Welcome to this IELTS Speaking Practice Question Set on Adult Education and Lifelong Learning.

This set covers all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test. Part 1 takes approximately 4-5 minutes, Part 2 lasts 3-4 minutes, and Part 3 is about 4-5 minutes long.

You can use these questions to prepare for your test and improve your speaking skills.

Part 1 (4-5 minutes)

1. Do you enjoy learning new things?
2. What was the last new skill you learned?
3. Have you ever taken an online course? If so, how was your experience?
4. Do you think it’s important for adults to continue their education? Why or why not?
5. Are there any subjects you’d like to study in the future?
6. How do you prefer to learn: through reading, listening, or hands-on experience?
7. Do you think people in your country value lifelong learning?
8. Have you ever attended a workshop or seminar? What was it about?

Note: The examiner may ask follow-up questions based on your responses.

Part 2 (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1-2 minutes on this topic:

Describe a learning experience you had as an adult that was particularly memorable.

You should say:

• What you learned
• Where and how you learned it
• Why you decided to learn this skill or knowledge
• How this learning experience has impacted your life

Part 3 (4-5 minutes)

1. How has technology changed the way adults learn in recent years?
2. Do you think formal education or practical experience is more valuable for career advancement? Why?
3. What role should employers play in promoting lifelong learning among their employees?
4. How can governments encourage more adults to engage in continuing education?
5. Do you think there’s an age limit for learning? Why or why not?
6. How might the concept of lifelong learning evolve in the future?
7. What are some challenges adults face when returning to education after a long break?

Sample answer outlines

Part 1

“Yes, I really enjoy learning new things. It keeps life interesting and helps me grow as a person. Recently, I learned how to create digital illustrations using a graphics tablet. It was challenging at first, but now I find it really enjoyable and relaxing.”

Part 2

“I’d like to talk about a memorable learning experience I had as an adult. A few years ago, I decided to learn Spanish through an online language exchange platform. I chose to learn Spanish because I was planning a trip to South America and wanted to be able to communicate with locals. The learning process involved weekly video calls with native Spanish speakers, who in turn were learning English. This experience was particularly impactful because it not only improved my language skills but also broadened my cultural understanding. It’s made me more confident in my ability to learn new things and has inspired me to continue exploring different languages and cultures.”

Part 3

“Technology has revolutionized adult learning in several ways. Firstly, it’s made education more accessible through online courses and digital resources. Adults can now learn at their own pace and on their own schedule, which is crucial for those balancing work and family responsibilities. Additionally, technology has enabled more interactive and engaging learning experiences through multimedia content, virtual reality, and AI-powered personalized learning paths. However, it’s important to note that this shift also requires adults to develop digital literacy skills to fully benefit from these technological advancements in education.”

Evaluation criteria

• Fluency and Coherence
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• Pronunciation

Practice all three parts with a study partner if possible.

This will help you become more comfortable with the format and improve your speaking skills.

Tips for each part

• Part 1: You should give direct answers but elaborate with examples or personal experiences.
• Part 2: You should use the preparation time to organize your thoughts. Cover all points on the card and use transitional phrases to connect ideas.
• Part 3: Express your opinions clearly and support them with reasons or examples. Don’t be afraid to think critically about the questions.

Please share your practice responses in the comments.

Sample high-scoring responses will be provided in a reply.

For more speaking practices, you can visit Green Transportation And Carbon Reduction and Food And Cuisine.