Talking about your strengths and weaknesses
CEFR: B1
Read/Listen first
Last year I gave a presentation in my English class about a difficult summer. I talked about travelling with my family, visiting my grandmother in hospital and trying to enjoy the holiday at the same time. My teacher said the story was moving, but he also noticed my strengths and weaknesses in English. He told me I am patient, organised and good at explaining ideas, but I often forget vocabulary and hesitate before speaking. Since then, I have tried to focus on my strengths and work on my weak points. I have kept a small notebook where I write new words, and I ask ChatGPT for examples when I am stuck. Sometimes I feel frustrated at not being able to express myself perfectly, especially when I am tired, but I know I have improved a lot and I would like to sound more confident in my next presentation.⚡ Learning goals
- I can describe my main strengths and weaknesses in English.
- I can talk about past experiences that show my strengths.
- I can explain how I am working on my weak points.
✨ Key language
- One of my strengths is… “One of my strengths is staying calm under pressure.”
- One of my weaknesses is… “One of my weaknesses is forgetting new vocabulary.”
- I have improved a lot in… “I have improved a lot in speaking fluently.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Present perfect for progress
Rule: Use have / has + past participle to show results that are still true now.Examples: Since then, I have tried to focus on my strengths.; I have kept a small notebook for new words.; I know I have improved a lot this year.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners often say *I tried since then* — add have and use the past participle: I have tried since then.
Choose the correct present perfect sentence:
Tip: Use have/has plus a past participle to show progress.
Fill with the best answer: Since then, I ______ a notebook of new words.
Tip: Remember have plus past participle for unfinished time.
2️⃣ Past simple for finished events
Rule: Use the past simple to talk about completed actions in a finished time period.Examples: Last year I gave a presentation in my English class.; We visited my grandmother in hospital.; My teacher said the story was moving.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes say *I have gave a presentation last year* — use past simple: I gave a presentation last year.
Which sentence correctly uses the past simple?
Tip: With finished time words like last year, use past simple.
Fill with the best answer: Last year I ______ a presentation in my English class.
Tip: The past form of give is gave.
3️⃣ Adjective + preposition + -ing
Rule: After many adjectives plus preposition, use a verb in the -ing form.Examples: I feel frustrated at not being able to express myself.; She is proud of speaking English in meetings.; He is afraid of making mistakes.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners often say *I am frustrated to not express* — use frustrated at not being able to express.
Choose the correct sentence with -ing:
Tip: After proud of, use a verb with -ing.
Fill with the best answer: I am worried about ______ mistakes in my next presentation.
Tip: After worried about, use a verb ending in -ing.
4️⃣ Would like to for future wishes
Rule: Use would like to + verb to talk about polite wishes for the future.Examples: I would like to sound more confident in my next presentation.; I would like to use my strengths in job interviews.; She would like to work on her weaknesses this year.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes say *I want to like sound confident* — use would like to sound confident instead.
Choose the best sentence with would like to:
Tip: Would like to + verb is softer and more polite than want to.
Fill with the best answer: In my next class, I ______ like to talk about my strengths.
Tip: The structure is would like to, not *want like to*.
✍️ Vocabulary
strengths
Meaning: positive qualities that help you do something well.Synonyms: advantages, assets, strong points.
Chunk/Idiom: play to your strengths.
Example: In interviews, try to explain your main strengths clearly.
Morphology: plural noun; from the noun strength.
Self-practice: Write three strengths you can mention in English.
weaknesses
Meaning: areas where you are not as strong or confident.Synonyms: limitations, weak points, disadvantages.
Chunk/Idiom: work on your weaknesses.
Example: She is working on her weaknesses in spoken English.
Morphology: plural noun; opposite of strengths.
Self-practice: Choose one weakness and write how you manage it.
organised
Meaning: able to plan things carefully and keep them in order.Synonyms: systematic, methodical, structured.
Chunk/Idiom: stay organised at work.
Example: Being organised helps me prepare clear presentations.
Morphology: adjective; related noun is organisation.
Self-practice: Describe one situation where you felt very organised.
patient
Meaning: able to wait calmly and accept delays or difficulties.Synonyms: calm, tolerant, understanding.
Chunk/Idiom: be patient with yourself.
Example: My teacher told me to be patient with my progress.
Morphology: adjective; related noun is patience.
Self-practice: Write one sentence about being patient in class.
reliable
Meaning: able to be trusted to do what you say you will do.Synonyms: dependable, trustworthy, consistent.
Chunk/Idiom: a reliable colleague.
Example: My manager sees me as a reliable team member.
Morphology: adjective; related noun is reliability.
Self-practice: Describe a reliable person you know in one sentence.
frustrated
Meaning: feeling annoyed or upset because you cannot achieve something.Synonyms: annoyed, disappointed, irritated.
Chunk/Idiom: feel frustrated at not being able to do something.
Example: I felt frustrated at not being able to express myself clearly.
Morphology: adjective; related verb is frustrate.
Self-practice: Rewrite the example with your own real situation.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
One of my strengths is staying calm in difficult meetings.
One of my weaknesses is forgetting new vocabulary after class.
I have improved a lot by practising short presentations at home.
I would like to sound more confident when I talk about myself.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Which sentence is correct according to the mini text?
Tip: With since, we usually use the present perfect.
Choose the sentence that matches the mini text.
Tip: The presentation happened once at a specific time in the past.
Fill with the best answer:
Since then, I ______ to focus on my strengths.Tip: Use have plus a past participle to talk about progress.
Fill with the best answer:
I ______ more confident in my next presentation.Tip: Use would like to plus a verb for polite wishes.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
In the mini text, what is one of the learner's weaknesses?
Tip: Look for what the learner says they often do badly.
Which word is closest in meaning to frustrated?
Tip: Think about how you feel when you cannot express yourself.
Fill with the best answer:
One of my ______ is that I am organised.Tip: Use the plural noun when you list several positive qualities.
Fill with the best answer:
Sometimes I feel ______ at not being able to express myself perfectly.Tip: This adjective describes feeling annoyed when something is difficult.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: What are your main strengths in English at the moment?B: I think I am patient and organised, and I explain ideas clearly.
A: And what about your weaknesses?
B: I often forget vocabulary and hesitate before speaking, especially when I feel nervous.
Why this matters:
Talking honestly about strengths and weaknesses helps you plan realistic goals. It also prepares you for job interviews and performance reviews. When you know your profile, you can use your strengths and manage your weak points more confidently.Verb & Adjective Pack:
confident — I feel more confident after practising this presentation.patient — She is very patient when she listens to classmates.
organised — He is organised and always prepares clear notes.
frustrated — They felt frustrated at not finding the right words.
reliable — My colleague is reliable and always finishes tasks on time.
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: I would like to ______ more confident when I speak English.
Tip: Think about how your voice and language appear to other people.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: I am frustrated to not be able express me.
Tip: Use frustrated at plus a verb in the -ing form.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
One of my strengths is staying calm when I speak English.
Tip: Say the sentence aloud before you type it to fix the rhythm.