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: 4.1 (67 votes)

Submitted by FVPrieto on Thu, 23/10/2025 - 15:06

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When I'm not working, I go to the park and enjoy sailing on a lake near my house.

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Submitted by Eskafeca on Fri, 03/10/2025 - 13:19

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I usually read a book and exercise for an hour. On weekends, my husband and I go hiking in the mountains.

Submitted by Naci on Tue, 19/08/2025 - 10:19

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I spend time with my family. We eat et talking together. I like to walk in the woods, going to the theater, dancing with my friends. Sometimes I read a book in the garden.

What do you do when you're not studying? 

When I am not studying, I like painting pictures by numbers because it is relaxing and interesting. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family, talking and doing fun things together. In the evenings, I often watch movies or TV series. This helps me rest, laugh, and enjoy my free time.

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Submitted by ASSAMOI on Sun, 17/08/2025 - 21:31

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In my free time, I often listen to music in english and podcast in order to polish my skills, refine my listening and sharpen my speaking.

These activities will be helping to keep pushing. My clear goal this year is to reach level C2 by december therefore the heat is really on. 

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Submitted by Hichem 13 on Thu, 07/08/2025 - 10:25

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When I'm not working, i plan somethinks to do, it depend the season when it was, if we are in summer i go to the beach, and sometimes i go to the mountains, i usually play football

Submitted by muath.naser on Mon, 04/08/2025 - 15:01

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ive got 5/8 preparation

task1 1/1

task2 5/8

task3 6/6

Submitted by vilks on Wed, 23/07/2025 - 13:53

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When I am no studing 

I usually read books, listen musik ur go for a walk with friends. I like like listen musik when I am walking. 

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Submitted by salehsaeed on Sun, 20/07/2025 - 13:04

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when I have space time I sit with my family or watch documantries or watch podcasts, but in the fact  I don't have time to do these things as when i finish my tasks, I'm tired in the evenings

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Submitted by haifa23 on Wed, 16/07/2025 - 18:46

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What do you do when you're not working?

 

I usually read books or play with my daughters. and some times drink my coffee and type on my laptop. 

 

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