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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Worksheet114.65 KB

Language level

Average: 4.3 (55 votes)

Submitted by Sa Wan on Sun, 23/03/2025 - 07:15

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I have recently started going to the gym and usually go in the mornings. I have a lot of free days in March and April because the military has ordered our private hospital to close for two months.

Submitted by abdelrahmann on Tue, 11/03/2025 - 12:45

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I usually go shopping, hanging out with my friends and play football, but sometimes  it's hard to find time to play football because i should study for my exam at Uni.

 

Submitted by _Anastation_7878 on Fri, 07/03/2025 - 14:51

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When I'm not working, I usually go shopping, playing with my cat, doing yoga and meditation. As well as I learning English for my future work.

Submitted by Mozart Aung on Sun, 09/02/2025 - 15:40

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I normally watch random videos on YouTube when I'm not working. But I study English twice or three times a week to improve my English.

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Submitted by omarkhadr on Sun, 26/01/2025 - 12:29

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Usually i spending my time in somethings usefully like go workout and learning new thing and see my friends or family, But there's it things fixed like go the gym and learning British English and gaming or wasted my time in social media.

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Submitted by bernardo.mazacon on Fri, 08/11/2024 - 08:09

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When I´m not working, I spend time with my family and study English to improve my skills, finally I usually exercise every morning.

Submitted by ruvi on Mon, 21/10/2024 - 21:12

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When I am not working I take care of my family, my father is very sick and I like to go out to see new places with my son and my dog

Submitted by Collinger on Sun, 13/10/2024 - 12:41

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I like spending time with my family. I also make sports . 

I go shopping . I watch films.

Submitted by mariam74 on Wed, 02/10/2024 - 08:45

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Good morning everyone! I don't know where on the page I can download and watch the video? 

thanks for your help. 

 

Hello mariam74,

I'm afraid our videos are not available for download. Sorry!

All of our audio, however, can be downloaded by pressing on the three dots on the right end of the audio player.

Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team

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