📖 Key Vocabulary — Pre-teach Before Class
Introduce or review these words with students before starting the lesson so they can use them during speaking practice.
1ambitiona strong desire to achieve something important in life
2to pursueto work toward achieving something over a period of time
3a role modela person whose behaviour inspires others to imitate them
4to set a goalto decide clearly on something you want to achieve
5determinationa firm decision to keep trying despite difficulty
6to overcometo successfully deal with a problem or difficulty
7a setbackan event that delays or reverses progress
8to give upto stop trying to achieve something
9a long-term goalsomething you plan to achieve far in the future
10a short-term goalsomething you plan to achieve in the near future
11to achieveto successfully complete or reach a goal
12self-disciplinethe ability to control yourself in pursuit of a goal
13to fall behindto fail to keep up with expected progress
14a breakthrougha sudden important achievement after a period of difficulty
15to strive forto make great efforts to achieve something
16motivationthe reason or enthusiasm that drives someone toward a goal
17to fulfil a dreamto make something you always wanted come true
18persistencecontinuing to try despite difficulty or opposition
19a career paththe sequence of jobs someone follows over time
20to make sacrificesto give up something valuable in order to reach a goal
✍️ Vocabulary Practice — Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence below with the correct word or phrase from the 20 vocabulary words above. Use each word only once.
▼
a breakthrough
a career path
a long-term goal
a role model
a setback
a short-term goal
ambition
determination
motivation
persistence
self-discipline
to achieve
to fall behind
to fulfil a dream
to give up
to make sacrifices
to overcome
to pursue
to set a goal
to strive for
- Instead of comparing yourself to others, it's healthier your own personal best.
- She studied every night in order a high score on the IELTS speaking test.
- Many students in Vietnam feel pressure to choose that guarantees financial stability.
- Waking up at five every morning to study requires a great deal of .
- At the start of every year, it's important so you know exactly what you are working toward.
- Losing his job unexpectedly was , but he refused to let it end his career.
- Losing halfway through a course is one of the biggest challenges students face.
- Becoming fluent in English is that requires years of consistent daily practice.
- Her older sister became for her, proving that hard work truly does pay off.
- His main is to open his own restaurant before he turns thirty years old.
- Passing next week's mock test is that will help her prepare for the real exam.
- After graduating, she decided a career in engineering rather than follow her parents' wishes.
- It takes genuine courage your fears and keep moving forward toward your dreams.
- After failing the exam three times, Lan almost decided on her dream of becoming a doctor.
- Reaching the top of any profession usually requires people along the way.
- Success in business rarely comes overnight; it usually takes years of quiet and steady hard work.
- It took incredible for Minh to keep pushing through the final kilometre of the marathon.
- It's easy your classmates if you don't manage your time carefully.
- Winning the scholarship finally allowed him of studying at a top university abroad.
- After months of research, the young scientist finally made that changed the whole industry.
1.to strive for
2.to achieve
3.a career path
4.self-discipline
5.to set a goal
6.a setback
7.motivation
8.a long-term goal
9.a role model
10.ambition
11.a short-term goal
12.to pursue
13.to overcome
14.to give up
15.to make sacrifices
16.persistence
17.determination
18.to fall behind
19.to fulfil a dream
20.a breakthrough
🕐 0'–10': Warm-up & Opening Question
Purpose
Help everyone relax, get comfortable speaking, and activate ideas.
Teacher asks👉 "What are your biggest dreams for the future?"
Follow-up questions- Why is that dream important to you?
- What steps are you taking to reach it?
➡ Each student answers briefly (about 1 minute); the teacher asks 1–2 short follow-ups to keep it natural.
🗣️ 10'–45': IELTS Speaking – Part 2 Practice
Format: 1 minute preparation · 2 minutes speaking per student. Students choose or are assigned ONE of the topics below:
Topic 1
Describe a goal you have achieved.
You should say:
- What the goal was
- Why you set this goal
- What steps you took to reach it
- And explain how you felt after achieving it
Topic 2
Describe a person who inspires you to achieve your goals.
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know them
- What they have achieved in life
- And explain why they inspire you
Topic 3
Describe a time when you faced a setback.
You should say:
- What the setback was
- When it happened
- How you dealt with it
- And explain what you learned from the experience
➡ Timing suggestion: 1 minute for preparation, then start speaking.
💬 45'–55': Follow-up Discussion (Part 3 style)
The teacher chooses questions related to the topics above, for example:
Setting Goals
- Why do some people find it difficult to set clear goals for themselves?
- Is it better to focus on long-term goals or short-term goals?
- How has the idea of success changed for young people in Vietnam?
Overcoming Challenges
- What qualities help people overcome setbacks and keep moving forward?
- Should parents push their children to be more ambitious?
- Is it possible to achieve great success without making any sacrifices?
ambition – a strong desire to achieve something important in life
a role model – a person whose behaviour inspires others to imitate them
a setback – an event that delays or reverses progress
self-discipline – the ability to control yourself in pursuit of a goal
➡ Students discuss briefly; the teacher adds ideas, vocabulary, and useful structures.
🌟 55'–60': Wrap-up & Closing
- Quick recap of interesting or strong answers.
- One student summarizes what they learned today.
- Thank the teacher for joining.