CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Talking about Personal Experience Strategies

What this part tests

30 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to speak.
A prompt asks you to describe a personal experience related to a specific topic.
Tell a specific story using varied past tenses.

Key strategies

Pick a specific, concrete experience

Don't generalize ("I always help people"). Pick one event: "Last summer, when my neighbor's car broke down..." Specific stories are easier to tell and score higher.

Use the STAR structure: Situation, Task, Action, Result

"I was in [situation]. I needed to [task]. So I [action]. As a result, [result]." This naturally fills 60 seconds.

Use varied past tenses

Mix simple past ("I went"), past continuous ("I was working"), and past perfect ("I had never seen") to demonstrate grammar range.

Connect the experience to the broader topic at the end

"This experience taught me that..." or "Since then, I always..." These phrases bring your story full circle and show reflection.

Example

Task 2: Talking about Personal Experience

Talk about a memorable trip you once took. Where did you go, what did you do there, and what made that trip particularly special or memorable for you?

Strong Sample Response

One of the most memorable trips I have ever taken was a week-long visit to Banff National Park in Alberta three years ago. I had always dreamed of seeing the Canadian Rockies, and the reality far exceeded my expectations.

During the trip, my family and I hiked several scenic trails, including the stunning Lake Louise shoreline walk, where the turquoise water against the snow-capped mountains took my breath away. We also went canoeing on Moraine Lake, which was incredibly peaceful.

What made this trip particularly special was an unexpected encounter with a family of elk grazing right beside our hiking trail. We stood there quietly for about ten minutes, just watching them in their natural habitat. It was a humbling reminder of how magnificent nature can be.

This experience taught me the importance of stepping away from daily routines and immersing yourself in nature. Since then, I have made it a priority to plan at least one outdoor adventure every year.

Talking about Personal Experience