Talk about HOBBIES Fluently in English

Summary

In this video, Vanessa from SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com teaches viewers how to talk about free-time activities in English without using the word 'hobbies.' She emphasizes natural, everyday expressions like 'I like to' and 'I love to,' and shares common phrases for discussing interests. Vanessa also provides indirect ways to ask about activities, such as 'What did you do this weekend?' and offers follow-up questions to continue conversations. The lesson helps learners sound more fluent and conversational by avoiding textbook language and focusing on natural English used in daily life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Avoid using the word 'hobbies' in casual English conversations, even though it's commonly used in textbooks.
• 😀 Instead of asking 'What are your hobbies?', use indirect questions like 'What did you do this weekend?' to discuss free-time activities.
• 😀 The four common phrases to describe your hobbies are: 'I like to...', 'I love to...', 'When I have time, I usually...', and 'I wish I had more time to...'.
• 😀 In casual conversation, it's natural to say things like 'I love to go for a walk' instead of 'I love to walk'.
• 😀 Using 'do' with activities like yoga or aerobics is acceptable, but 'play' is used for sports or musical instruments.
• 😀 To ask about someone else's hobbies, you can ask questions like 'What did you do this weekend?' or 'Have you ever...?' to find common interests.
• 😀 In structured or formal settings, questions like 'What do you like to do in your free time?' or 'What kind of things do you like to do?' can be used.
• 😀 When someone shares a hobby with you, ask follow-up questions like 'How did you get into that?' or 'How long have you been doing that?' to dig deeper.
• 😀 Asking 'Did you grow up doing that?' is a great way to learn about how someone started their hobby, especially if it's something they learned in childhood.
• 😀 The goal in conversations is to connect with the other person. Share your own similar experiences to build rapport (e.g., 'I used to garden too!').

Q & A

Why is the word 'hobby' not commonly used in daily English conversations?

In natural daily English, people rarely use the word 'hobby' because it feels too formal or academic. Instead, we use more casual and indirect ways to talk about activities we enjoy in our free time.

What are the four common sentences used to talk about free time activities?

The four common sentences are: 1) 'I like to...', 2) 'I love to...', 3) 'When I have time, I usually...', 4) 'I wish I had more time to...'

Can you provide an example of how to describe a hobby without using the word 'hobby'?

Instead of saying 'I have a hobby of painting,' you can say 'I like to paint' or 'When I have time, I usually paint.'

What are the four common questions people use to ask about someone else's hobbies without using the word 'hobby'?

The four common questions are: 1) 'What did you do this weekend?', 2) 'Have you ever...?', 3) 'What kind of things do you like to do?', and 4) 'What do you like to do in your free time?'

How can you follow up after someone mentions their free time activity?

You can ask follow-up questions like: 1) 'How did you get into that?', 2) 'How long have you been doing that?', 3) 'Did you grow up doing that?', and 4) 'Do you usually do it alone or with friends?'

Why is the question 'What kind of things do you like to do?' more natural in some situations than directly asking about hobbies?

This question is more general and casual, making it less formal. It works well in structured situations, like on a date or an interview, but might sound too direct in more casual or small-talk settings.

How does asking 'Have you ever...' help in finding common hobbies?

By asking 'Have you ever...?', you're indirectly discovering if you share a similar interest or activity. For example, asking 'Have you ever been hiking?' can open up a conversation about a shared love of outdoor activities.

What is a common mistake people make when responding to a question about someone's hobby?

A common mistake is to just nod and say 'That's cool,' without digging deeper into the conversation. To keep the conversation going, you should ask follow-up questions to show genuine interest.

How can you make a conversation about hobbies more engaging?

You can make it engaging by asking thoughtful follow-up questions and sharing your own experiences related to the hobby. This creates a natural connection and deepens the conversation.

How should you use the question 'What do you like to do in your free time?' in a conversation?

This question is a bit more structured and works well when you're getting to know someone in a formal or semi-formal setting, like on a date or during a job interview.