Describe something that made you confident at your work or study.
You should say:
I'd like to tell you about a debate competition that unexpectedly boosted my confidence during my second year in Hanoi.
Our school was hosting an inter-university debate tournament, and our team was short one member due to a last-minute illness. Despite my fear of public speaking, I reluctantly agreed to fill in.
The topic was whether artificial intelligence would benefit or harm society in the long run. I was terrified, especially since I was up against students from top universities known for their debate skills.
As the debate began, I found myself stumbling over words and sweating profusely. But then something clicked. I remembered a fascinating article I'd read about AI in healthcare, and suddenly, I had something meaningful to contribute.
To everyone's surprise, including my own, I delivered a passionate argument about AI's potential to revolutionize medical diagnoses in rural areas. I even managed to counter an opponent's point with a quick-witted analogy comparing AI to a well-trained dog - helpful when guided, but potentially dangerous if left unsupervised.
The audience laughed, the judges nodded approvingly, and my teammates looked at me in awe. We ended up winning that round, and although we didn't win the overall tournament, I was voted "Most Improved Debater".
This experience was a real confidence booster. It taught me that knowledge is power, and that I'm capable of more than I give myself credit for. Since then, I've become more active in class discussions and even joined the debate club.
SOL đã tổng hợp một số từ vựng, collocation hữu ích trong sample trên để các bạn tham khảo nè:
- Sample 1: I think becoming confidenttakes time and practice. For me, it helps to start by doing small things that I’m good at and then graduallychallenging myself with more difficult tasks. When I succeed in these, I feel more confident about trying new things. Also, having friends and family who support and encourage me makes a big difference. They help me feel more sure of myself, especially when I’m nervous about something.
confident /ˈkɒnfɪdənt/: tự tin
takes time /teɪks taɪm/: cần thời gian
practice /ˈpræktɪs/: thực hành, luyện tập
gradually /ˈɡrædʒuəli/: dần dần
challenging /ˈʧælɪnʤɪŋ/: thử thách
succeed /səkˈsiːd/: thành công
support and encourage /səˈpɔːt ænd ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ/: hỗ trợ và động viên
makes a big difference /meɪks ə bɪg ˈdɪfrəns/: tạo ra sự khác biệt lớn
nervous /ˈnɜːvəs/: lo lắng
- Sample 2: Confidence is something that can be developed over time through experience and self-awareness. One effective way to become more confident is by setting small, achievable goals and gradually working towards them. Each accomplishment, no matter how minor, can boost self-esteem and reinforce a sense of competence. Additionally, practicing positive self-talk and focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses can help individuals build a more positive self-image. Surrounding oneself withsupportive people who encourage and believe in your abilities can also make a significant difference in building confidence.
self-awareness /sɛlf əˈwɛənəs/: tự nhận thức
achievable goals /əˈʧiːvəbl ɡəʊlz/: mục tiêu có thể đạt được
boost self-esteem /buːst sɛlf ɪsˈtiːm/: nâng cao lòng tự trọng
reinforce /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs/: củng cố
competence /ˈkɒmpɪtəns/: năng lực
positive self-talk /ˈpɒzɪtɪv sɛlf tɔːk/: tự nói chuyện tích cực
self-image /ˈsɛlf ˈɪmɪʤ/: hình ảnh bản thân
surrounding oneself with /səˈraʊndɪŋ wʌnˈsɛlf wɪð/: bao quanh bản thân với
supportive people /səˈpɔːtɪv ˈpiːpl/: những người ủng hộ
significant difference /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt ˈdɪfrəns/: sự khác biệt đáng kể
- Sample 1: Teachers can really help by being encouraging and positive. For example, when a teacher praises me for something I’ve done well, it makes me feel proud and more confident. Also, when teachers are patient and help us understand things we find difficult, it makes us less afraid to ask questions. I think when teachers create a friendly environment in class where everyone feels comfortable to speak up, it really boosts our confidence.
positive /ˈpɒzɪtɪv/: tích cực
praises /ˈpreɪzɪz/: khen ngợi
proud /praʊd/: tự hào
confident /ˈkɒnfɪdənt/: tự tin
patient /ˈpeɪʃnt/: kiên nhẫn
friendly environment /ˈfrɛndli ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt/: môi trường thân thiện
- Sample 2: Teachers play a crucial role in fostering confidence in their students. One key approach is to create a positive and inclusive classroom environment where students feel safe to express their ideas without fear of judgment. Teachers can also provide constructive feedback that focuses on students’ efforts and progress rather than just the final outcome. This helps students understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process, which can alleviate the fear of failure. Additionally, teachers can encourage participation in class by asking open-ended questions and acknowledging each student’s contribution, which reinforces their sense of value and boosts their confidence.
crucial role /ˈkruːʃəl rəʊl/: vai trò quan trọng
fostering confidence /ˈfɒstərɪŋ ˈkɒnfɪdəns/: nuôi dưỡng sự tự tin
inclusive classroom environment /ɪnˈkluːsɪv ˈklɑːsruːm ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt/: môi trường lớp học bao quát
fear of judgment /fɪər ɒv ˈʤʌʤmənt/: sợ bị đánh giá
constructive feedback /kənˈstrʌktɪv ˈfiːdbæk/: phản hồi mang tính xây dựng
focuses on students’ efforts /ˈfəʊkəsɪz ɒn ˈstjuːdənts ˈɛfɜːts/: tập trung vào nỗ lực của học sinh
alleviate the fear of failure /əˈliːvɪeɪt ðə fɪər ɒv ˈfeɪljər/: giảm bớt nỗi sợ thất bại
open-ended questions /ˈəʊpən-ˈɛndɪd ˈkwɛsʧənz/: câu hỏi mở
acknowledging each student’s contribution /əkˈnɒlɪʤɪŋ iːʧ ˈstjuːdənts ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃən/: ghi nhận sự đóng góp của từng học sinh
- Sample 1: In my opinion, rewards are a great way to motivate students. For instance, when a teacher gives out small rewards like stickers or certificates for good work, it makes us feel recognized and proud of our efforts. Even just saying “good job” can go a long way in making students feel more confident. I think it’s important that these rewards are given for trying hard and making progress, not just for getting the highest grades, so that everyone has a chance to feel good about their work.
motivate /ˈməʊtɪveɪt/: động viên, thúc đẩy
recognized /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/: được công nhận
proud of /praʊd ɒv/: tự hào về
efforts /ˈɛfɜːts/: nỗ lực
go a long way /ɡəʊ ə lɒŋ weɪ/: có tác dụng lớn
progress /ˈprəʊɡrɛs/: tiến bộ
- Sample 2: Rewarding students for their efforts can be an effective way to build confidence, as it reinforces positive behaviors and motivates them to continue working hard. Teachers can use both tangible rewards, like certificates or small prizes, and intangible rewards, like praise and recognition, to acknowledge students’ hard work. For example, a teacher might praise a student for their improvement in a subject or highlight their achievements during a class discussion. This not only boosts the individual student’s confidence but also sets a positive example for others. It’s important that the rewards are given for genuine effort and progress rather than just for high grades, so that all students, regardless of their academic level, have the opportunity to feel confident in their abilities.
reinforces positive behaviors /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːsɪz ˈpɒzɪtɪv bɪˈheɪvjəz/: củng cố những hành vi tích cực
tangible rewards /ˈtænʤəbl rɪˈwɔːdz/: phần thưởng vật chất
intangible rewards /ɪnˈtænʤəbl rɪˈwɔːdz/: phần thưởng tinh thần
praise and recognition /preɪz ænd ˌrɛkəɡˈnɪʃən/: lời khen và sự công nhận
highlight their achievements /ˈhaɪlaɪt ðeər əˈʧiːvmənts/: nêu bật thành tích của họ
boosts the individual student’s confidence /buːsts ði ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤʊəl ˈstjuːdənts ˈkɒnfɪdəns/: nâng cao sự tự tin của từng học sinh
sets a positive example /sɛts ə ˈpɒzɪtɪv ɪɡˈzɑːmpl/: tạo ra một tấm gương tích cực
genuine effort /ˈʤɛnjuɪn ˈɛfət/: nỗ lực chân thành
academic level /ˌækəˈdɛmɪk ˈlɛvl/: trình độ học vấn
- Sample 1: I think studying becomes more interesting when teachers mix things up a bit. For example, instead of just reading from the textbook, they could use videos, games, or group activities to make the lessons more fun. Also, relating what we’re learning to real-life situations or things we’re interested in, like technology or current events, can make the subjects feel more relevant and engaging. When studying feels more like an adventure rather than a chore, it’s easier to stay interested.
mix things up /mɪks θɪŋz ʌp/: làm mới mọi thứ
reading from the textbook /ˈriːdɪŋ frɒm ðə ˈtɛkstbʊk/: đọc từ sách giáo khoa
videos, games, or group activities /ˈvɪdɪəʊz, geɪmz, ɔː ɡruːp ækˈtɪvɪtiz/: video, trò chơi, hoặc hoạt động nhóm
real-life situations /rɪəl laɪf ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃənz/: tình huống thực tế
relevant and engaging /ˈrɛlɪvənt ænd ɪnˈɡeɪʤɪŋ/: phù hợp và hấp dẫn
feels more like an adventure /fiːlz mɔː laɪk æn ədˈvɛnʧər/: cảm giác giống như một cuộc phiêu lưu
a chore /ə ʧɔː/: một công việc nhàm chán
- Sample 2: To make studying more interesting, teachers can incorporate a variety of teaching methods that cater to different learning styles. For instance, using interactive activities like group discussions, projects, or educational games can make the learning process more engaging. Additionally, connecting the material to real-life situations or students' personal interests can make the content more relevant and meaningful, which naturally increases their interest in studying. Another strategy is to provide opportunities for creative expression, such as through art, music, or storytelling, which allows students to explore the subject matter in a way that resonates with them. Ultimately, when students find the learning process enjoyable and stimulating, they are more likely to be motivated and confident in their studies.
incorporate /ɪnˈkɔːpəreɪt/: kết hợp
teaching methods /ˈtiːʧɪŋ ˈmɛθədz/: phương pháp giảng dạy
cater to different learning styles /ˈkeɪtə tuː ˈdɪfrənt ˈlɜːnɪŋ staɪlz/: đáp ứng các phong cách học tập khác nhau
interactive activities /ˌɪntərˈæktɪv ækˈtɪvɪtiz/: các hoạt động tương tác
group discussions /ɡruːp dɪˈskʌʃənz/: thảo luận nhóm
educational games /ˌɛʤʊˈkeɪʃənl ɡeɪmz/: trò chơi giáo dục
content more relevant and meaningful /ˈkɒntɛnt mɔː ˈrɛlɪvənt ænd ˈmiːnɪŋfʊl/: nội dung phù hợp và có ý nghĩa hơn
creative expression /kriˈeɪtɪv ɪksˈprɛʃən/: sự thể hiện sáng tạo
resonates with them /ˈrɛzəneɪts wɪð ðɛm/: có tiếng vang với họ
enjoyable and stimulating /ɪnˈʤɔɪəbl ænd ˈstɪmjʊleɪtɪŋ/: thú vị và kích thích
motivated and confident /ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd ænd ˈkɒnfɪdənt/: có động lực và tự tin
- Sample 1: In some cases, yes. If parents are confident and they show that they believe in their kids, it can definitely help the kids feel more confident too. It’s like if you see your parents handling challenges well, you might feel like you can do the same. But I think confidence also depends on other things, like how the child’s experiences and personality shape them. So, while confident parents can have a positive influence, it’s not the only factor.
handling challenges /ˈhændlɪŋ ˈʧælɪnʤɪz/: đối mặt với thử thách
feel more confident /fiːl mɔː ˈkɒnfɪdənt/: cảm thấy tự tin hơn
depends on /dɪˈpɛndz ɒn/: phụ thuộc vào
shape them /ʃeɪp ðɛm/: hình thành họ
positive influence /ˈpɒzɪtɪv ˈɪnflʊəns/: ảnh hưởng tích cực
- Sample 2: Yes, there’s a strong possibility that children of confident parents tend to be more confident themselves. This is because children often model the behaviors and attitudes of their parents. When parents demonstrate confidence in their own abilities and approach challenges with a positive mindset, their children are likely to adopt similar attitudes. Additionally, confident parents usually provide an environment where their children feel secure, valued, and encouraged to explore their interests and take risks. This nurturing environment helps children develop a strong sense of self-worth and the courage to face challenges, which are key components of confidence. However, it’s important to note that confidence is also influenced by other factors, such as personality, social interactions, and individual experiences.
strong possibility /strɒŋ ˌpɒsɪˈbɪlɪti/: khả năng cao
model the behaviors and attitudes /ˈmɒdəl ðə bɪˈheɪvjəz ænd ˈætɪtjuːdz/: bắt chước các hành vi và thái độ
positive mindset /ˈpɒzɪtɪv ˈmaɪndˌsɛt/: tư duy tích cực
adopt similar attitudes /əˈdɒpt ˈsɪmɪlə ˈætɪtjuːdz/: tiếp nhận thái độ tương tự
feel secure /fiːl sɪˈkjʊə/: cảm thấy an toàn
valued /ˈvæljuːd/: được coi trọng
encouraged to explore /ɪnˈkʌrɪʤd tuː ɪkˈsplɔː/: được khuyến khích khám phá
take risks /teɪk rɪsks/: chấp nhận rủi ro
nurturing environment /ˈnɜːʧərɪŋ ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt/: môi trường nuôi dưỡng
strong sense of self-worth /strɒŋ sɛns ɒv sɛlf wɜːθ/: cảm giác tự trọng mạnh mẽ
courage to face challenges /ˈkʌrɪʤ tuː feɪs ˈʧælɪnʤɪz/: can đảm đối mặt với thử thách
key components /kiː kəmˈpəʊnənts/: yếu tố chính
social interactions /ˈsəʊʃəl ˌɪntərˈækʃənz/: tương tác xã hội
individual experiences /ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤʊəl ɪkˈspɪərɪənsɪz/: trải nghiệm cá nhân
- Sample 1: I think a lot of people feel less confident now because of social media. We see so many perfect images and successful people online, and it’s easy to feel like we’re not good enough in comparison. Also, there’s a lot of pressure from school, parents, and society to be successful, and sometimes it feels overwhelming. When you’re always worried about not being good enough, it’s hard to be confident.
pressure from school, parents, and society /ˈprɛʃər frəm skuːl, ˈpɛərənts, ænd səˈsaɪəti/: áp lực từ trường học, phụ huynh và xã hội
overwhelming /ˌəʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/: áp đảo
worried about not being good enough /ˈwʌrid əˈbaʊt nɒt ˈbiːɪŋ ɡʊd ɪˈnʌf/: lo lắng về việc không đủ tốt
- Sample 2: There are several reasons why many people struggle with confidence in today’s society. One major factor is the pervasive influence of social media, which often promotes unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and lifestyle. Constantly comparing oneself to these idealized images can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Another factor is the pressure to succeed in a highly competitive world, where failure is often stigmatized rather than seen as a learning opportunity. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of modern life can make it difficult for people to take the time to reflect on their strengths and achievements, which are essential for building confidence. Lastly, a lack of supportive relationships or environments where individuals feel valued and understood can also contribute to low self-confidence.
struggle with confidence /ˈstrʌɡl wɪð ˈkɒnfɪdəns/: gặp khó khăn với sự tự tin
pervasive influence /pəˈveɪsɪv ˈɪnfluəns/: ảnh hưởng rộng rãi
unrealistic standards /ˌʌnrɪəˈlɪstɪk ˈstændədz/: tiêu chuẩn phi thực tế
idealized images /ˈaɪdɪəlaɪzd ˈɪmɪdʒɪz/: hình ảnh lý tưởng hóa
feelings of inadequacy /ˈfiːlɪŋz ɒv ɪˈnædɪkwəsi/: cảm giác không đủ khả năng
self-doubt /sɛlf-daʊt/: nghi ngờ bản thân
pressure to succeed /ˈprɛʃər tuː səkˈsiːd/: áp lực để thành công
stigmatized /ˈstɪɡmətaɪzd/: bị kỳ thị
learning opportunity /ˈlɜːnɪŋ ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti/: cơ hội học hỏi
fast-paced nature /fɑːst-peɪst ˈneɪtʃər/: tính chất nhịp độ nhanh
reflect on /rɪˈflɛkt ɒn/: suy ngẫm về
Chúc các bạn luyện thi IELTS Speaking thật tốt nhé.
Đọc thêm:
17 cấu trúc mở bài gián tiếp cho phần thi IELTS Speaking part 2
Hướng dẫn trả lời các dạng câu hỏi trong IELTS Speaking part 3 từ A - Z
