Talking about personal interests

In this video, Emir asks Paul about his hobbies. Listen to the language they use for talking about personal interests and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say

Do you know what to say when you talk about your personal interests? Listen out for useful language for talking about personal interests. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Emir: Hi, Paul. I made you a cup of tea. Just how you like it, milk and two sugars.

Paul: Oh, thanks, Emir.

Emir: You're welcome. So what do you do when you're not working?

Paul: Oh, umm, not much. I'm always really tired in the evenings and at weekends.

Emir: Haven't you got any hobbies?

Paul: Well, I've recently started doing meditation.

Emir: I didn't know you did meditation. I do too!

Paul: Oh, right. So, um, how often do you practise? 

Emir: Most mornings usually, but if it's really busy, then sometimes it's hard to find time. 

Paul: Yeah, I know what you mean. I normally meditate once or twice a week. I never have enough time to do it more than that.

Emir: What are you doing now?

Paul: Nothing much, just drinking my tea … 

 

Ana: Hello again! Now that's something you don't see in the office every day! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for talking about your personal interests? Listen to me and then repeat.

 

What do you do when you're not working?

I didn't know you did meditation.

I do too!

How often do you practise?

Most mornings, usually.

Sometimes it's hard to find time.

I normally meditate once or twice a week.

I never have enough time.

 

Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you talk about your personal interests in English. Bye for now! 

Discussion

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I like reading youth novels in my free time, also exercising is one of my favorite hobbies because it helps me release stress, I have never tried meditation like Emir and Paul, something I have in common with them is that I never have enough time. Maria Garzon

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Submitted by Khin Yee Mon Khaing on Sat, 02/01/2021 - 04:00

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I watch TV, listen to music sometimes I read some books and climb the hills. I do this most evenings and nights because I never have enough time more than that. How about you? I watch TV once or twice a day, especially at weekends.

Submitted by Ella on Sat, 19/12/2020 - 08:43

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I read some interesting books and listen English songs. But mostly, I learn about English from British council. Thanks for posting useful videos. They are very interesting and useful for my four skills.

Submitted by Aliz on Sat, 19/12/2020 - 08:34

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I can spend my spare time usefully. So I read the books and I listen to the song. Sometimes, I occupy my leisure time in the garden.

Submitted by gokmikail38 on Thu, 17/12/2020 - 16:42

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ı am usually read a book and play games when ı am not workıng !

Submitted by Carlos Cabrera on Sat, 28/11/2020 - 08:59

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I normally play football with my son and watch the movies or series in Netflix with my wife. The Sunday go to the church.

Submitted by Abhishek Kumar on Fri, 20/11/2020 - 07:16

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I would like to spend time with family and friends when i am free.

Submitted by Sana Omar on Thu, 19/11/2020 - 15:00

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I usually watch movies, I find it the best way to relax.

Submitted by O'Prata on Fri, 06/11/2020 - 06:47

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I usually have some difficulties understanding Paul. For example, in the beginning, when Paul said he was always tired, I understood "... evening SAND at weekend" instead of "evenings AND at weekends" Other word I understood bad was when Paul said "Oh! Right!". I understood "Oh! Thrice!" (LOL!!!) I had to see the transcription in order to get the meaning of what he was saying. Thanks for the video.

Hello O'Prata,

You're quite right in how you explain this. It's one of the features of connected speech in English.

When a word ends with a consonant sound (such as /s/) and the next word begins with a vowel sound (such as /æ/), the consonant sound joins the following vowel sound:

evenings and at weekends

evening s➙an d➙at weekends

 

To practise this, you can try reading the script along with the recording. This will help you maintain a proper rhythm and encourage you to link words to fit the cadence and stress patterns of natural English. The familiarisation process will aid in understanding this kind of speech as well.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team