A Person Who Speaks a Second (Foreign) Language Well – IELTS Cue Card

In the IELTS Speaking exam, Part 2 often presents the opportunity to talk about people who have made a significant impact in some way, whether it's through their profession, actions, or talents. One common cue card topic is describing "A Person Who Speaks a Second (Foreign) Language Well." This topic gives you the chance to talk about someone who has mastered a foreign language, and it requires you to explain why they are proficient, how they learned the language, and the impact it has had on their life. 

In this blog, we will explore sample answers for the IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card topic: A Person Speak A Second (Foreign) Language Well, along with useful vocabulary, to help you answer this cue card confidently and impressively in your IELTS Speaking exam.

Learn How to Prepare a Cue Card now!

Describe A Person Who Speaks a Second (Foreign) Language Well Sample Answer 1

One person I admire for their ability to speak a second language well is my friend Priya. I met her in college, and we became close friends because we were in the same class.

She speaks French as her second language. She learned it in school and then continued studying it in college as well. I remember she also attended some online classes to improve her fluency.

She speaks French quite often, especially with her French friends online. Sometimes, she also helps other students prepare for language exams.

I think she speaks French really well because she uses the right accent, and she can talk fluently without stopping or thinking too much. I've heard her speak during French club meetings, and she sounds confident and natural.

Describe A Person Who Speaks a Second (Foreign) Language Well Sample Answer 2

A person I truly admire for their foreign language skills is my older sister, Riya. She is fluent in Spanish, which she picked up during her university exchange program in Spain.

I’ve known her, obviously, all my life, and I remember she was always passionate about learning languages. After her exchange, she continued practicing Spanish by watching Spanish TV shows, reading novels, and even taking part-time translation jobs.

She speaks Spanish regularly—especially at her job, where she works with international clients. She even volunteers as a translator at community events.

What’s impressive is her pronunciation and intonation—they’re so authentic that native speakers often assume she’s one of them. Her vocabulary is also extensive, and she can switch between formal and informal Spanish effortlessly, which really shows her depth in the language.

Describe A Person Who Speaks a Second (Foreign) Language Well Sample Answer 3

The person I’d like to talk about is my friend Arun, who speaks fluent German in addition to his native language. We studied together in high school, and even back then, he had a knack for learning languages.

Arun began learning German in his early teens, and his interest deepened when he visited Germany for a cultural exchange program. What sets him apart is the way he immersed himself in the language—he didn’t just memorize vocabulary; he absorbed the culture, read German literature, and regularly spoke with native speakers online.

Now, he uses German almost daily in his role as a project coordinator for a multinational company. I've had the chance to watch him interact with German clients, and it's fascinating to see how effortlessly he navigates professional and casual conversations.

His fluency, pronunciation, and cultural understanding are outstanding. He doesn't just "speak" German—he communicates with nuance and confidence, which, to me, is the true mark of mastery.

Describe A Person Who Speaks a Second (Foreign) Language Well - IELTS Vocabulary

Following are IELTS Vocabulary from the "A Person Who Speaks a Second (Foreign) Language Well – IELTS Cue Card sample answers:"

• Fluent
  Meaning: Able to speak a language easily and accurately.
  Example: She’s fluent in Spanish and can switch between languages without hesitation.

• Exchange Program
  Meaning: A program where students study abroad in another country for a period.
  Example: He picked up French during his university exchange program in Paris.

• Immersed
  Meaning: Deeply involved or absorbed in something.
  Example: She immersed herself in the language by watching German films and reading novels.

• Pronunciation
  Meaning: The way in which a word is spoken.
  Example: His pronunciation is so accurate that native speakers often assume he’s one of them.

• Intonation
  Meaning: The rise and fall of the voice while speaking.
  Example: Her intonation made her sound like a native Spanish speaker.

• Extensive Vocabulary
  Meaning: A wide range of words a person knows and uses.
  Example: He has an extensive vocabulary in German, which helps him sound very natural.

• Nuance
  Meaning: A subtle difference in meaning or expression.
  Example: She understands the nuances of the language, which helps her sound more authentic.

• Cultural Understanding
  Meaning: Knowledge and appreciation of another culture.
  Example: Along with language skills, his cultural understanding makes him a great communicator.

• Navigate
  Meaning: To deal with or manage something successfully.
  Example: She navigates professional conversations in French with great ease.

• Mastery
  Meaning: Great skill or knowledge about something.
  Example: His mastery of German is evident in how confidently he interacts with native speakers.

This blog includes Band 7, 8, and 9 sample answers to the cue card ‘Describe A Person Who Speaks a Second (Foreign) Language Well’, along with essential vocabulary to improve fluency, accuracy, and coherence in your IELTS Speaking responses and help you achieve IELTS Band Score.

Useful Links:

• How to Prepare a Cue Card for IELTS Speaking
• What to Do if You Forget What to Say During IELTS Speaking Test?
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• How to Express Your Mixed Feelings in IELTS Writing & Speaking?
• 10 Useful Structures to Express Contrasting Ideas in IELTS Speaking & Writing Task 2
• 75+ Common English Words Used in IELTS Speaking Test
• 5 Silly Things You Say To Decrease Your IELTS Speaking Band Score
• Reasons for the IELTS examiner to interrupt you in IELTS Speaking