Describe a course or training programme that you would like to take in the future
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a course or training programme that you would like to take in the future.
You should say:
- what the course is
- where and how you would study it
- how long it would last
and explain how it would help you.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
255 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
A course I'd love to take is a six-month programme in data analysis. I've been working in an office for three years, and I keep noticing that more and more tasks involve working with data, so I've started to think seriously about getting some formal training.
I've looked at a few options, and the one that interests me most is offered by a technology institute in my city. It's held in the evenings, three times a week, so I could continue my job. It consists of classes on spreadsheets, statistics, programming in Python and data visualisation, plus a final project in which students analyse real information from a company. Alternatively, I might choose an online version, which would be cheaper, but I think I'd prefer to study with a teacher and other students, so I can ask questions and get hands-on training.
The course would last about six months, and I plan to sign up for the next intake, which starts in January. I've already started saving for the fees and checking whether my employer might help to pay for part of it.
I believe it would help me in several ways. Firstly, it would give me skills that are in high demand, which could boost my career prospects, perhaps even leading to a promotion or a job in another company. Secondly, I'd be able to make better decisions in my current role by understanding the numbers. Finally, I enjoy learning, and I think it would keep my mind active and give me new confidence.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a short course | a brief programme of study |
| gain a qualification | obtain an official certificate |
| further education | study after leaving school |
| hands-on training | practical learning |
| boost my career prospects | improve my chances of a better career |
| sign up for | register for |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- A coding or data science bootcamp
- A professional course like accounting or design
- A creative course such as photography or cooking
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the course is
- 25 swhere and how you would study it
- 25 show long it would last
- 45 sand explain how it would help you.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Education and further study. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Why do adults go back to study later in life?
- Do you think everyone should go to university?
- What are the advantages of vocational training?
- How do qualifications affect people's career prospects?
- Should education be free for everyone?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Plans and wishes
- Describe an ambition that you had when you were a child and that you still have
- Describe a family celebration that you are looking forward to or would like to organise
- Describe a change that you would like to make in your life
- Describe something expensive that you would like to buy in the future
- Describe a foreign language (other than English) that you would like to learn
- Describe a gift that you are planning to give to someone
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How do I talk about future plans in an IELTS cue card?
Say what you would like to do, why, and how you would go about it. Mix future forms: "I'm planning to", "I'd love to", "if I had the chance, I would". A plan you really have gives you more to say than an invented one.
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