CELPIP speaking
Personal Experience
How to Master CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Personal Experience
This task tests your ability to tell a short, clear story from your past. You'll be given a prompt like, "Talk about a time you helped a friend," or "Describe a memorable celebration." Your goal is to tell a simple, well-structured story.
What You Will Do
- You will have 30 seconds to prepare your story.
- You will only have 60 seconds to record your speaking. This is a very fast task.
The #1 Trap to Avoid
The biggest mistake is running out of time. Most test-takers spend 50 seconds on the beginning of the story and never get to the end. The grader must hear a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end. The second mistake is making the story too complex. Simple is better.
Speaking Task 2 template · 30s prep · 60s to speak
The CLB 9+ template: STAR Story
Situation, Task, Action, Result: a complete story with a beginning, middle and end in 60 seconds.
- 1
Situation
10sWho, when, where, in one or two sentences.
- 2
Task
10sThe problem or goal that started the story.
- 3
Action
30sWhat you did, step by step, in the past tense. This is the longest part.
- 4
Result
10sHow it ended and how you felt. Then stop.
Starters, a CLB 9+ example and a drill to memorise it.
Final Tips
- Use Past Tense: This is a story about your past. Use "I went," "we helped," "it was..."
- Simple is Safe: Choose a simple, true story. If you can't think of one, it's 100% okay to make one up! The grader only cares about your English.
Ready to Get Your Speaking Graded?
Can you tell a full story in 60 seconds? This task is all about structure and timing. You must practice it out loud.
Our webapp uses advanced AI to grade your speaking. Find out your estimated score, check your pace, and see your filler words in 5 seconds.
Put this guide into practice
Reading the strategy is half the work. Try it on a real question while it is fresh.