Talking About Personal Growth
Objective of the Lesson:
The goal of this lesson is to help students talk about their personal growth by explaining how they have changed, what skills they have developed, and what challenges they have overcome. In the CELPIP test, students might be asked to reflect on their personal growth as part of their speaking or writing tasks.
How to Talk About Personal Growth:
- Introduce the area of growth: Start by explaining which aspect of your life or personality has improved. Use phrases like:
- “I’ve grown a lot in…”
- “Over the past few years, I’ve developed…”
- “One area where I’ve experienced personal growth is…”
- Describe the process: Explain what experiences or challenges helped you grow. Use phrases like:
- “This growth happened because…”
- “I faced a challenge when…”
- “One experience that really helped me was…”
- Explain the impact: Talk about how this personal growth has affected your life. Use phrases like:
- “As a result of this growth, I’ve become…”
- “This has helped me to…”
- “I now feel more confident in…”
- Mention future goals: Share how you plan to continue growing in the future. Use phrases like:
- “Moving forward, I hope to…”
- “I plan to continue developing my skills by…”
- “In the future, I aim to…”
Sample Conversation:
Topic: “Talking About Personal Growth”
Person A:
“Can you tell me about an area where you’ve experienced personal growth?”
Person B:
“Sure! Over the past few years, I’ve really grown in terms of my communication skills. I used to be shy and nervous about speaking in front of people, but I’ve become much more confident.”
Person A:
“How did you develop your communication skills?”
Person B:
“It started when I had to give a presentation at work. I was really nervous, but I prepared well, and after that experience, I realized that practice is key. I started taking every opportunity to speak in meetings, and over time, I became more comfortable.”
Person A:
“That’s great! How has it impacted your life?”
Person B:
“Well, it’s made me a better leader at work. I’m now able to express my ideas clearly and lead team discussions, which has also helped me advance in my career.”
Person A:
“Do you have any plans for further growth?”
Person B:
“Yes, I’m planning to take a public speaking course to keep improving. I want to be able to speak confidently in front of larger audiences.”
Difficult Words with Meaning and Usage:
- Communication skills
- Meaning: The ability to convey information and ideas effectively to others.
- Usage: “Improving my communication skills has helped me build better relationships at work.”
- Confidence
- Meaning: A feeling of self-assurance and trust in one’s abilities.
- Usage: “I now have the confidence to speak in front of large groups.”
- Challenge
- Meaning: A difficult task or situation that tests someone’s abilities.
- Usage: “Giving my first presentation was a big challenge, but it helped me grow.”
- Advance
- Meaning: To move forward or make progress in a job or skill.
- Usage: “Improving my communication skills has helped me advance in my career.”
- Shy
- Meaning: Nervous or uncomfortable around other people, especially when speaking.
- Usage: “I used to be shy, but now I feel more comfortable speaking in public.”
Selfie Assignment:
Record a 2-minute video where you talk about an area of personal growth you’ve experienced. Use the following steps:
- Introduce the area where you’ve grown.
- Describe what helped you develop.
- Explain how this growth has impacted your life.
- Share your plans for future growth.
Practice Questions for Talking About Personal Growth:
- What is one area of your life where you’ve experienced personal growth, and how did it happen?
- Practice explaining how a specific skill or personal trait has improved.
- What challenges did you face while growing in this area, and how did you overcome them?
- Encourage students to talk about obstacles and their solutions.
- How has your personal growth impacted your professional or personal life?
- Help students reflect on the positive changes that growth has brought to their life.
- What steps do you plan to take to continue your personal growth in the future?
- Practice talking about future goals and areas for further improvement.
- Is there anyone who helped or inspired you during your journey of personal growth? If so, how?
- Encourage students to discuss the role of mentors, friends, or experiences in their growth.