Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by sanjjeett
What this composition helps you practise
This personal narrative shows how a teaching experience can become memorable when the teacher learns as well as the learner. The model moves from reluctance and frustration to understanding, encouragement and gradual improvement, ending with a strong sense of satisfaction.
Composition Prompt
Teaching someone else how to do something can be a rewarding experience. Think of a skill that you have helped someone to develop. Perhaps you taught someone how to swim or to bake a cake, or helped someone learn how to study more effectively. Narrate the events that made up the process of teaching the skill, and say what made the experience important and memorable for you.
Composition at a Glance
Essay Outline
Model Essay
The board exams had just got over. I heaved a sigh of relief, as I walked out of the examination hall, thinking of the thing I had missed, while preparing for the examination. Just then, I saw Rahul, my neighbour’s son coming out from the Principal’s office, clutching his mother’s hand. He looked quite distraught and avoided looking at me. I found this quite unusual, for normally he would greet me very cheerfully saying ‘Hi Amit Bhaiya’.
His mother looked quite perplexed and worried. Acknowledging my greeting, she thrust Rahul’s report card in my hand. The red circles in Maths and English required him to appear in the supplementary examination, to get promoted to class V.
“Amit can you help him in his studies,” she entreated. Taken aback by her sudden request, I fumbled, “me”. “Yes Amit, he likes you and moreover your exams are now over, surely you can spare an hour for him daily.” Rahul looked entreating at me and I simply did not have the courage to say no.
Returning home I cursed myself for having ruined my summer vacation, which I had so fondly looked forward to. Little did I know that I was going to experience an altogether different feeling, which would last a lifetime.
I found Rahul to be obedient, but very careless. Initially I would scold him and even twist his ears. Gradually I discovered that he had severe emotional problems, because his parents were separated. His working mother hardly had time for him. The long hours in the crèche after school, bore adversely on him.
I decided to change track. Instead of scolding and reprimanding him, I made him redo the exercise, gently pointing out the mistakes he had made. To further motivate him, I would announce a reward of a chocolate, for each exercise he did without making a mistake. Gradually I found that the lessons he previously found boring, became enjoyable to him. Every time I explained a new concept, his eyes would light up and I could feel a strange sense of accomplishment.
A month later his mother came to me with tears in her eyes, thanking me for helping Rahul. He had done extremely well in the supplementary examination and had also started behaving well at home. A couple of years later I saw his photo in the newspaper, he had topped in the ICSE board examination. The small part that I had played in his growth was indeed very rewarding. He basically needed someone to believe in him.
Understanding This Narrative
The story begins with reluctance, not instant enthusiasm
The narrator has just finished his own examinations and initially feels that helping Rahul will spoil his summer vacation. This makes the later sense of fulfilment more meaningful because the narrator’s attitude changes during the experience.
The learner’s difficulty is gradually understood
At first Rahul appears simply careless. The narrator then recognises that there are deeper circumstances affecting him. This gives the teaching problem emotional depth rather than treating poor performance as laziness alone.
The turning point is a change in method
The most important development occurs when the narrator stops relying on scolding and instead uses gentle correction and encouragement. A strong personal narrative often includes such a moment when the narrator learns to respond differently.
Progress is shown through small observable changes
The lessons gradually become enjoyable, Rahul responds to new concepts and the narrator begins to feel a sense of accomplishment. These small signs make the later success feel connected to the teaching process.
The ending explains why the experience was memorable
The conclusion does more than report Rahul’s success. It identifies the deeper lesson: encouragement and belief in another person can sometimes be as important as the skill being taught.
Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
Try It Yourself
Practice Prompt
Narrate an experience when you helped someone learn a skill that he or she initially found difficult. Explain the difficulties, how you changed your approach, and why the experience became memorable for you.
Write approximately 300–350 words.
Before You Submit
ICSE Composition Guidelines
For ICSE Examination Year 2027, the composition should be approximately 300–350 words. Question 1 carries 20 marks, and the specimen paper recommends spending no more than 30 minutes on it.
For a personal narrative, present the events in a clear sequence and explain why the experience mattered to you. When the prompt asks what made an experience important or memorable, include reflection rather than ending immediately after the final event.
Official ICSE 2027 English Syllabus
Official ICSE 2027 English Language Specimen and Draft Marking Scheme