1. What are the three best things about where you live?

Transcript item

Elena: I'm Italian and I'm originally from the Marche region, but currently I live in Bologna. My favourite things of living in Italy are the nature and amazing landscapes, the historical town and the city centre, and the unique atmosphere that you can find in Italian cafés and Italian restaurants.

Sri: Hello, everyone. My name is Sri from Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean. Imagine pristine beaches stretching endlessly, ancient ruins, whispering stories of a 2,500-year-old civilization and over 400 breathtaking waterfalls, all in one incredible island. From the golden sands of Mirissa to the majestic ruins in Anuradhapura and the cascading beauty of Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka is a paradise for every traveller. So what are you waiting for? Come and experience this tropical heaven for yourself.

Donnie: Hi, I'm Donnie. I'm from Jamaica. But now I'm currently in Miami, Florida. Now, Miami is famous for its beaches, entertainment and really good shopping. Here I'm standing in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. The Hard Rock Cafe is really famous for gambling and exquisite dining. So why wait? Come check it out.

Jo: So, I'm originally from the UK, but I've lived in France for over 20 years. My favourite three things about France are, number one, the varied landscapes in the country, number two, the food and drink, especially the cheese, and number three, the capital city, Paris.

Dave: Hi, I'm Dave and I'm British. I haven't lived in England for a long time. I've been living in Bulgaria now for 23 years. So there's lots of things to like about Bulgaria. Let me tell you three of them. So number one, I would guess, would be the rich history and culture of Bulgaria. Right behind me – you can't really miss it, can you? – there's, that's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bulgaria. Huge Orthodox Church, so that would be number one kind of history and culture. If you go outside of the city, you don't have to go very far before you discover Bulgaria's very rich and beautiful countryside. We've got a mountain, Mount Vitosha, right on the outskirts of the city, and in the summer you can go to that national park and do lots of hiking. And right now, in the winter, there's lots of skiing available. And number three, we were talking about the seasons just now, number three would have to be the climate.

In this video, you can listen to some people talking about where they're from, where they live now and their three favourite things about their country.

Here are some of the phrases they use. Are any of these similar to your favourite things about your country?

pristine beaches = very clean, beautiful and unspoiled beaches
ancient ruins = very old buildings that are broken but still exist
breathtaking waterfalls = extremely beautiful waterfalls
historical towns = towns with old buildings and interesting pasts
a unique atmosphere = a special feeling that makes a place different
varied landscapes = different areas like mountains, forests and beaches
the rich history and culture = important traditions, events and ways of life
the climate = the usual weather in a specific place

Now it's your turn!

Where are you from, and where do you live now?
What are your favourite things about your country (or the country you live in)?
Tell us about a famous place or popular tourist attraction in your country and share a photo*.

*Please don't include any people in your photos (even if you can't see their faces) as it's not allowed under the British Council's data protection and child protection policy. We're sorry, but we won't be able to add these.

If you want to practise speaking, you can record your answers using SpeakPipe voice recorder and post a link to the recording in your comment.

Go to SpeakPipe voice recorder

* Recordings are kept on a SpeakPipe server. Please don't include any music in your recording.

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Transcription

Question 1

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Yoselyn, and I'm from Costa Rica. Currently, I live in the capital, San José. In the capital, you can find many stores and restaurants such as McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, etc

Question 2

I really like its fauna and biodiversity. In some places, you can find animals such as alligators, monkeys, felines, among others.

Question 3

The most popular attraction here is the canopy tour in Monteverde. If you are lucky, you might even see a sloth bear there. Another popular attraction is a tour in Corcovado, where you can find many animals such as sloth bears, monkeys, ocelots, jaguars, pumas, etc.

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Hi, everyone!☺️

I was born in South Korea and I still live in here. Korea is very small country, and I've always lived in Seoul only, so I don't know many landscapes. But I know interesting things about Seoul.

First, you can find many traditional and historical architectures at city. Also you can go to the Korean castle and borrow Korean traditional clothes nearby(If you are wearing traditional clothes, the ticket is FREE!!!!😆).

Second, you can enjoy the night culture safety. There are many bars, clubs and restaurants that opening to late(almost to morning). Also you can see 24/7 stores and restaurants easily. There are many CCTV and police officers in main street anytime.

Last, you can watch amazing night view. If you go to 'Nam-san' mountain or 'Han-gang' river, you can always look beautiful night view(After the sun sets). My recommendation is visiting 'Han-gang' river first to watch sun sets and after that go to the 'Nam-san' mountain(or any other tall buildings) to watch night view.

Hi,

My name is Ryan, I am from HongKong, here have traditional food, like fish ball and shaomal, everyone from HongKong must tried when they are in little. There are also good places to visit here, such as k11, Victoria Harbour.

Hello! I'm José, from Argentine. I´ve always lived in Argentine. I'm from Lanús but now I'm living in the city of Lomas de Zamora.

I like Argentina. Three good things about Argentina are:

The rich history and culture, for example, the theatres and museums.

The different sports we play, for example, football, tennis, car racing. Our national sports heroes are: Fangio, Vilas, Maradona, Del Potro, Messi, and Colapinto.

The beautiful climate, because there is very good temperature.

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I come from hangzhou, it is a wonderful place where has a lot of attractions. For example resist for hundreds of years’ West lake, Qiantangjiang.

Hi, I’m Evan. I'm from a busy, exciting city in China with tall buildings, yummy food, and beautiful nature! And here is HongKong

Why I love Hong Kong:
1. Amazing Views – The Victoria Harbour lights up at night with colourful lasers. It’s like a light show in the sky!
2. Delicious Food – Try dim sum (small tasty dishes), egg waffles, and milk tea. So good!
3. Fun Places – You can go shopping in Mong Kok, ride the Star Ferry, or visit Disneyland!

Famous Place:
The Peak– Take a tram up the mountain and see the whole city from the top. It’s super cool!

Hello every, my name is Jamie, l’m come from Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a International city, here have lot of history and many delicious Food, people is very enthusiasm, l love Hong Kong!!!

Hi Jamie,
I love Hong Kong too! ❤
Have you ever been to Lamma Island? That's where I used to live. It has some wonderful fish restaurants and some really great hiking trails.

~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

Hello, my name is Bella. I came form Shanghai, now I have been lived in HK for 4 years. The favorite thing that I like is the sky light’s views during the night. That is very impressive to me. The Bund in ShangHai is very popular. I think is the most fancy place in ShangHai.

Hi my name is Caleb and I am from Hong Kong. My favourite city that I want to visit is ChungDu, this is because of the food and the famous landmark. CheungDu’s food is really spicy and I am the type of person that likes spicy food, therefore really looking forward to go there. Now the land mark in cheung du is the Leshan Buddha and it is a really ancient place which took 90 years to crave out!

Hello guys, my name is ####, and I am from China Chong Qing, I’ve been living here quite long, and the three wonderful things in Chong Qing.

1.Climate

The climate over here is really good, it is not to cold and not to hot so if you want a comfortable travel this place is perfect.

2.Natural land scapes

Chong Qing has a lot of beautiful landscape but the best one I personally think the Wansheng Heishan Valley is the best there is rivers and trees, the sound of the rivers was amazing and make you feel comfortable

3.Shopping

I believe that most of you like to go shopping, then you must come here, there is a lots of malls at the city, and those malls are big, it will satisfy you.

Hello my name is Sa and my last name is Andy and I’m from Hong Kong, i love exploring mainland China, but my favourite part of china is in Xi’an. In Xi’an, there is this popular ancient place called the Terracotta Warriors, there is many handmade ancient warriors made by the past thousand years! It catches my interest and i would 100% prefer you to go there!

Hello my name is Oliver and I went on a trip to shantou, in chaozhou there are many great places to visit, I recommend trying the food like the changfen, visiting the famous xiao gong yuan, and looking at the accessories and toys on the street for kids!

Hi,

My name is Kaden, and I live in China, but most specifically, Hong Kong. However, I would talk about why china is one of the best place to go travel to, they have so many architectures, and tourists attractions to see, from the Great Wall of China to the Lushun Buddha! This is one of the most best tourist attraction in my perspective:

First of all, China has a rich culture, and a historical milestone that from all of the four ancient civilizations, the Chinese is the only one that still stands today. Speaking of historical figures, it would be the statue of guan-yu in Jingzhou, as this reflects the hero’s loyalty to its country, and even though he had a choice to not be killed by the enemy, he declined the offer, willing to die for his emperor.

Hi, my name is wang Ngai, I was born in Hong Kong and is still living in HK. The place i would recommend to you would be the Xihu in Yunnan, because it gives you such a great view, there is a show there on some nights, and it is spectacular.

Hi,

Hello, my name is Sunny. I live in China. The thing I like most about this country is that they have a very nice landscape and food. The thing I like most is the Chongqing Hong’ensi Forest Park. It is very beautiful at night. I suggest everyone of you go there. It is very beautiful, and the people there are very friendly. You can feel the feeling that you are in ancient China because of the theme that the buildings give you. If you have time, go there!

Hi Rick!

Chongqing Hong’ensi Forest Park sounds like a super place to visit. Would you have a recent photo of it at all? I visited some places in China many years ago, it was a fascinating experience and something I will never forget!

~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

Hi, my name is Phoenix and I am from, southern China and am currently living in Hong Kong.

My top 3 things I love about China is it’s rich heritage, food and amazing views, China is a place where you’d find many different places not known in the west. For example my personal favourite which is Jiu Zhai Gou, Jiu Zhai Gou is in northern China located in the Min mountains and is close to Song Pan (City in China). I personally love this area because it is protected by the government from logging since 1982 from what I remember, the views in the valley are absolutely amazing and gives off a peaceful atmosphere for whoever is visiting I would recommend walking the path and taking photos near the lakes and waterfalls. One thing to note is that there will be many bugs so I would bring bug spray just to be safe.

Hi, my name is Leah. I am from Hong Kong. The Huangguoshu waterfall is a must to visit in China, it is the largest waterfall in Asia and third largest waterfall in the world. It is Guizhoiu’s number one attraction. The best time of year to visit is between March to November. It is a waterfall cluster with 18 waterfalls in total.

My name is Tori, and I was born and raised in Hong Kong, China. A few places that I’d recommend to you guys is The Peak, the Monkey Tree Mountain and Ocean Park. The things that I love about Hong Kong is the street food, the attractions and the hiking trails.

Hi Tori!
I used to live in Hong Kong and loved to go up to the The Peak. Can you still take a tram to the top?

I still miss the food from Hong Kong, and also used to enjoy hiking in the hills. Thank you for bringing back some lovely memories.

~ Tinaツ

LearnEnglish team

Hi, my name is Hannah, I am from China and my favourite thing in the country is jiuzhai valley National park and Guang Zhou zoo.

The national park is known for its many multi-level waterfalls, colorful lakes, and snow-capped peaks. Its elevation ranges from 2,000 to 4,500 metres (6,600 to 14,800 ft).

The zoo Opened in1958, the Guangzhou Zoo covers an area of 42 hectares. It is home to over 5,000 specimens; 400 species from home and the balance from abroad. All of which are displayed in separate areas according to the genus and species such as: insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, primates, cats, herbivores and etc.. The zoo receives 4 million tourists annually, ranking in the top 3 zoos in China.

Hi, my name is Megan. I am from china and my favourite thing about the country is the old town of Lijiang and the Guang Zhou zoo.

The Guangzhou Zoo covers an area of 42 hectares. It is home to over 5,000 specimens; 400 species from home and the balance from abroad. All of which are displayed in separate areas according to the genus and species such as: insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, primates, cats, herbivores.

The old town of Lijiang is a UNESCO world heritage site. The town has a history going back more than 1,000 years and was once a confluence for trade along the "Old Tea Horse Caravan Trail".

Hi :)

My name is Marco l am from Hong kong and my favourite city that i want to visit is Beijing because i heard they have really good food and they have good night markets the places that I really want to go there is the forbidden city ad universal studio because the frobbiden city i like to know more about the history and all the Chinese people have been through and universal studio because they have really fun rides and the food is good they my favourite rides are in the transformer Jurassic park minions Harry Potter land they have good rides but food I would go to king fu panda world.

Hi! 😅 My name is Antony and Im from Hong Kong!

There are 59 different world heritage sites in China! That’s a lot! You may know the Great Wall of china or the forbidden city, but there a lots of beautiful places but its not that famous. 🤷

You should visit Sanxingdui in Chengdu because it’s like stepping back in time to see ancient treasures! Here, you can find amazing old masks and shiny gold objects that are over 3,000 years old. There’s a cool museum where you can learn about the people who made these things. Plus, the area is really pretty, and you can enjoy yummy food from Chengdu. It’s a fun way to explore history and taste delicious dishes! 🍍

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❤❤❤ - I love the sound of your city Daryna. What's the bridge called? And thank you for leaving an audio too!

~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

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Hello to you too Aa'laa!

What a lovely audio to listen to and I always wanted to visit Egypt, even more so now!

~ Tinaツ
LearnEnglish team

Hi,

My name is David, and I'm from Colombia, currently living in Bogotá. I like the climate here, and also the variety of food you can find. Bogotá is a really huge city compared to other cities around the world. About 10 million people live here, which makes the city a little chaotic. Still, it's a wonderful place to visit. There are some interesting places to go partying, and the landscape around the city is also amazing.

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Hello, My name is Janneth. I'm from Bolivia Cochabamba. My favorite things from my country are first of all, the historical towns and museums that we have, like Cristo de la Concordia, convento Santa Tereza. These places show you tranquility and passivity, are so amazing. Secondly, I love the Culture and the Tradition that we have. Finally, I love the gastronomy of my country specially from Cochabamba, I like the different kind of food that we have like the charque, chicharron, aji de pollo, which are really good. Thanks

Hey janneth, are you preparing for ielts??

Hello Everyone!

My name is Santiago P, born and raised in Mexico City, currently living in Chicago :) What I love about Mexico City is:

Friendly people everywhere

All kinds of delicious food

Different types of weather

Best Wishes :)

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Hi Santiago!

Thank you for your lovely audio. It's so good to hear our learners! It sounds like you have the best of both worlds. Do you get to go back to Mexico City much? When you go ... what's your 'go to' food that you miss the most. I remember when I hadn't been in the UK for a while the thing I most wanted was a bacon sarnie! Ha ha.

~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish

Hi, Syria is a country with a long history and an important geographical location between Africa, Asia, and Europe. It has many beautiful things that you should know about.

Here are my favorite things about Syria:

- **Damascus:** Damascus is the capital of Syria. It is the oldest capital city in the world and has seen many civilizations throughout its history.

- **The People:** People in Syria are very friendly. You can easily talk to someone on the street, even if you don’t know them. This makes it a very warm and welcoming place.

- **The Weather:** Syria has four distinct seasons, which is not very common in other countries. The climate is moderate and enjoyable.

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Hello! I am originally from Ukraine, but I have been living in Germany for 15 years now. Let me tell you about my three favorite things about Germany. Number one is the rich history and culture. I live in Weimar, which is famous for Goethe and Schiller (Take a look at the photo). Number two is the beautiful countryside. There are forests and mountains for hiking. You can swim or relax at the Baltic Sea or the North Sea. Number three: the food! There are so many dishes with potatoes – and I love potatoes! Of course, German cuisine is rich and delicious.

Hier is my record: https://www.speakpipe.com/voice-recorder/msg/aevy2oyyaa9u3z4p

Hi Natalie!

Thanks for sharing your photo and for your audio! Do you get a lot of snow in Weimar? I've never been to Germany but have heard that it has the most amzing scenery. What is your favourite recipe using potatoes? Can you share it with us?

~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

Hello everyone

I'm Ahmed from Egypt; I'm rise and shine in Cairo but currently live in Qaluobia.

My favorite things in my country are (people are very kind and helpful, unique atmosphere, have lots of historical places and our traditional food is very Ummy )

Hi, I am Isna, I am from Palangka Raya, Indonesia.

My favorite things about living in Palangka Raya : https://www.speakpipe.com/voice-recorder/msg/5eflz26h6418bi0h

Hi Isna!

Thank you for sharing your photo of your hometown and for your audio ... it's just wonderful to listen to everyone from around the world! I'm so pleased you mentioned the traditional dancing and music in Indonesia. And I know exactly what you mean about wanting to get up and 'be' the dancer!
How big is Palangka Raya?

~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

Uk is one of my favourites to visit, also I would like to visit Paris and I would love to find a quiet place where I could live.

Hello everybody!

I am Ana from Perú where I currently live in. My country has a lot of stunning landscapes, one of the most popular is Machu Picchu (one of the seven wonders in the world). It is exactly in the south of the country (Cusco), which is also a beautiful city to visit if you come to Peru.

My favourite three things about my country are:

Number 1: its food. We have plenty of different dishes. The main is Ceviche and Pisco Sour.

Number 2: Historical towns. The main would be "La ciudad de Caral" the oldest civilisation of America

Number 3: Music. sort of music influenced by different cultures

Hello, my name is Valentina and i'm from Colombia.

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Hello, my name is Diana. I'm from Bogotá, Colombia, where I currently live.

Colombia is incredibly diverse, so I enjoy traveling and discovering different landscapes, from pristine beaches in La Guajira, in the north of the country, to the tropical rainforests in the southernmost Amazon region.

My three favorite things are the diverse landscapes, the varied cuisine, and the diverse music.

Here's a photo of a tourist spot in my city: Monserrate. This church, located on a mountain, offers a panoramic view of Bogotá.

Hi everyone,

I'm Ronnapon from Thailand and my currently home town is Nokhorn Si Thamarat (NST) in South of Thailand. My home town is far away from Bangkok (The capital of Thailand) around 780 km. or 1 hour by plane. Here is the most famous and ancient Buddhist pagoda in Southern Thailand, So we call "Wat Phra That". This Pagoda was built in the early 13th century CE. The Major pagoda in "Wat Phra That" is a unique pagoda because this pagoda will not cast a shadow on the ground, no matter which direction of the sunlight shines. This thing make the Major pagoda in "Wat Phra That" is one of unseen place of Thailand.

❤❤❤

Hello, my name is William Villa.

I´m from Colombia and I live currently in the city of Soledad and Barranquilla, my favourite thing in my city is the "Carnaval de Barranquilla" because is a party to dance and know other people of others city or country and a place tourist is the Malecon of Barranquilla is a place where be beside of the Magdelana river and that place have too much place to do sports, eat and other things.

Hi! My names is Marta. I`m born in Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk. It is my lovely town. My town is small and beautiful. Ivano-Frankivsk have a many many historical places, frendly people and beautiful plasescapes.
My country has very delicious cuisine. Our national dish is BORSCH, officially included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Another great thing I would like to mention is that the city is located at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains.