Describe a teacher who had a positive influence on you
Describe a teacher who had a positive influence on you
You should say:
- Who this teacher was
- What subject they taught
- What made them special
- And explain how they influenced you
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
How to plan it in one minute
- Choose a teacher who represents a specific shift in your attitude or perspective.
- Use descriptive adjectives to bring the person to life during your two-minute talk.
- Ensure you link their teaching style directly to a long-term personal impact.
Band 8 model answer
I’d like to talk about Mr. Harrison, my secondary school physics teacher. He wasn't your typical academic; he had this messy, salt-and-pepper hair and a habit of wearing tweed jackets that smelled faintly of old books and chalk dust. He taught physics, but he didn't just lecture from a textbook. Instead, he turned the classroom into a laboratory of curiosity. What made him truly exceptional was his ability to simplify the most esoteric theories into relatable, real-world analogies. If we were studying optics, he wouldn’t just draw diagrams; he’d bring in vintage prisms and laser pointers to show us how light danced across the room. He had this infectious enthusiasm that made even the most reluctant students lean in, genuinely wanting to understand how the universe ticked. His influence on me was profound. Before I met him, I viewed science as a dry, intimidating subject reserved for geniuses. Mr. Harrison shifted my entire perspective by encouraging us to question everything rather than just memorising formulas. He taught me that critical thinking is far more valuable than rote learning. Because of his mentorship, I gained the confidence to pursue engineering at university. More importantly, he instilled in me a sense of intellectual rigour and a lifelong hunger for discovery. He didn't just teach me physics; he taught me how to approach problems with a creative mindset. Whenever I hit a roadblock in my professional life now, I often find myself thinking about how Mr. Harrison would have tackled the issue, looking for the underlying mechanics rather than just the surface-level frustration. He was, quite simply, the catalyst for my academic development.
270 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.
Vocabulary from the answer
- esoteric
- intended for or likely to be understood by few.
- infectious
- likely to spread to or influence others quickly.
- rote learning
- learning by repetition without necessarily understanding the meaning.
- intellectual rigour
- a strict adherence to high standards of thought.
- catalyst
- a person or thing that precipitates an event.
- salt-and-pepper
- describing hair that is mixed grey and black.
- mentorship
- the guidance provided by a more experienced person.
- academic development
- the process of growing in knowledge and skills.
Part 3 questions that follow this card
- What qualities make a good teacher?
- How has the role of teachers changed in recent years?
- Do you think technology will replace teachers in the future?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of online education?
- How important is it for students to have role models?
- What role should parents play in their children's education?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.
Say it out loud and get a band
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Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a teacher who had a positive influence on you"?
Choose a teacher who represents a specific shift in your attitude or perspective.
How long should my answer be?
Speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
Can I use this model answer in the exam?
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
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