Talking About Hobbies in English: Listening Practice

Beginner · A1–A2 Episode 32 · about 2 minutes · Hosts: Mel and Josh

1. Before you listen: key words

Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.

free time time when you're not working or studying
be really into like something a lot
take up start a new hobby
get into start to like something
whenever every time that
to be honest a phrase before saying what you really think
follow-up question a question about what someone just said

2. Listen to the episode

Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.

3. Check your understanding

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4. Shadow the hosts

Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.

5. Talk about it

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Listening Room, episode 32: Talking about your hobbies

Beginner (A1–A2) · englishcoaching.co

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

free time: ________________________
be really into: ________________________
take up: ________________________
get into: ________________________
whenever: ________________________
to be honest: ________________________
follow-up question: ________________________

2. Questions

What does 'I'm really into gardening' mean?
☐ I like gardening a lot ☐ I'm inside the garden ☐ I don't like gardening
What does 'take up' mean?
☐ Start a new hobby ☐ Stop a hobby ☐ Pick something up
What makes an answer more interesting?
☐ A reason and an example ☐ One word ☐ Speaking very fast
Which is a good follow-up question?
☐ How did you get into that? ☐ Why? ☐ Okay.
Why is this topic useful for tests?
☐ Hobbies are common in English speaking tests ☐ Tests don't ask questions ☐ It isn't useful

3. Talk or write about it

Talk about one hobby for one minute: what it is, how often you do it, why you like it, and an example.

Transcript

Josh: Hi, welcome to the Listening Room. I'm Josh.

Mel: And I'm Mel. Today: hobbies. It's a great topic for making friends, and it's very common in English speaking tests too.

Josh: So, Mel, what do you do in your free time?

Mel: I'm really into gardening. I grow tomatoes and herbs on my balcony.

Josh: 'I'm really into' is a nice natural phrase. It means 'I like it a lot.'

Mel: What about you?

Josh: I play five-a-side football every Tuesday, and I've recently taken up photography.

Mel: 'Taken up' means started a new hobby. 'I've taken up yoga.' 'I've taken up the guitar.'

Josh: When you talk about a hobby, give a reason and an example. That makes your answer interesting.

Mel: Like: 'I love gardening because it helps me relax after work. Last weekend I picked my first tomatoes.'

Josh: Reason, example. Perfect. You can also say how often: 'every weekend', 'twice a week', 'whenever I have time'.

Mel: And if you don't have much free time? Be honest: 'To be honest, I don't have much free time at the moment, but I love reading on the bus.'

Josh: Then ask a follow-up question: 'How did you get into that?' or 'How long have you been doing it?'

Mel: 'Get into' means start liking something. 'I got into cooking during the holidays.'

Josh: Avoid one-word answers like 'Reading.' Add a bit more, and the conversation keeps going.

Mel: So: I'm really into, I've taken up, a reason, an example, and how often.

Josh: Tell someone about your hobby today!

Mel: See you next time!

Answers: 1. I like gardening a lot · 2. Start a new hobby · 3. A reason and an example · 4. How did you get into that? · 5. Hobbies are common in English speaking tests

Frequently asked questions

Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?

Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.

What English level is this episode?

Beginner (about A1–A2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.

Which words will I learn in this episode?

free time, be really into, take up, get into, whenever, to be honest, follow-up question. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.