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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Language level

Average: 4.2 (37 votes)

Submitted by Brenda Patrici… on Mon, 08/03/2021 - 16:01

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I practise English every morning and I read books most evenings, but after watching the video, I will meditate again.

Submitted by PARIMALA MADIAZHAKAN on Sat, 06/03/2021 - 12:35

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Most probably when I am not working, I will do exercise in the evening. In the morning I will collect some useful articles from newspaper and I kept that for my references.

Submitted by andresalame on Tue, 09/02/2021 - 11:28

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I'm always really tired too, because I'm recently working a lot!

Submitted by Letis on Tue, 09/02/2021 - 02:17

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I really don't have much free time, but when I can I like watching tourism videos on Youtube. Also, I try to improve my English.

Submitted by Leila77 on Wed, 03/02/2021 - 17:29

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When I am not working, I read books, I watch TV, or I learn something new like what I am doing now: learning English.

Submitted by tenedos on Sun, 31/01/2021 - 12:09

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Lots of things. Reading novels, listening to Music, watching tv series or solving puzzles are my favourite leisure time hobbies.

Submitted by German on Fri, 15/01/2021 - 23:51

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When I'm not working I watch movies, read books and I do exercise.

Submitted by Minthanttin on Fri, 15/01/2021 - 03:36

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I usually watch YouTube videos about personal finance and motivation.Sometimes, I use Facebook and chat with my friends.

Submitted by SNM on Wed, 06/01/2021 - 10:43

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Emir: I didn't know you did meditation. Task 3: I didn't know you go swimming. Could you explain why in the first sentence Emir used "you did meditation" instead of "you do meditation", please? Are they both correct? Thanks

Hello SNM,

Both 'do' and 'did' are possible here. 'Do' makes it clear that the person does mediation now (in the present), while 'did' is more ambiguous: it could refer only to mediation in the past or it could mean that the person still does meditation now.

Similarly, in the second sentence 'went' could be used in place of 'go'.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team