Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Talking About Hobbies
Share an interest, explain why you enjoy it and ask a friendly follow-up question.
Your speaking goal
Name a hobby, give a reason for enjoying it and ask two questions about someone else’s interest.
Before you start: Choose a real or imaginary hobby and a simple reason you enjoy it. You can choose an activity you would like to try.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Noor and Daniel
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Noor: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Daniel: I like taking photos, especially pictures of birds.
Noor: What do you enjoy about it?
Daniel: It gets me outdoors, and I like noticing small details. How about you?
Noor: I enjoy drawing. I find it relaxing.
Daniel: What do you like to draw?
Noor: Mostly buildings and street scenes.
Daniel: Do you need expensive materials to start?
Noor: Not for the kind of drawing I do. A pencil and some paper are enough to begin.
Daniel: That sounds interesting. I might try it.
Noor: And I’d like to try taking photos of birds sometime.
Useful phrases and what they do
- What do you enjoy doing? — Ask about an activity someone likes.
- I find it relaxing. — Explain that an activity helps you feel calm.
- What do you enjoy about it? — Ask for a reason, rather than just the activity’s name.
- I might try it. — Say you are considering an activity, without making a firm promise.
Say it clearly
Give the activity clear emphasis: ‘I enjoy DRAWING.’ Then pause before the reason: ‘I find it relaxing.’ A short answer followed by one detail is enough to keep the exchange going.
Build your own replies
I enjoy ___ because ___. What do you enjoy? → I like ___.
Ask and check
Do you mean drawing pictures or making building plans? → Drawing pictures of buildings.
Common mistakes and alternatives
Use ‘enjoy drawing’, rather than ‘enjoy to draw’. Both ‘like drawing’ and ‘like to draw’ are natural. A hobby is an activity you enjoy; this lesson focuses on interests and reasons, rather than the schedule of a daily routine.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
What does Daniel particularly like photographing?
Show answer 1 and explanation
Birds. ‘Taking photos’ names the hobby; ‘pictures of birds’ adds a specific interest.
Question 2
Why does Noor enjoy drawing?
Show answer 2 and explanation
She finds it relaxing. This gives a reason, not a time or frequency.
Question 3
Which is natural: ‘I enjoy drawing’ or ‘I enjoy to draw’?
Show answer 3 and explanation
‘I enjoy drawing’ is natural. After ‘enjoy’, use the -ing form for an activity. ‘I like to draw’ is also natural, but it uses a different verb.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Name a hobby, give a reason for enjoying it and answer a follow-up question.
Role B
Ask about the hobby and the reason for enjoying it. Then share your own interest.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: Your partner’s hobby is unfamiliar. Ask what it involves and what a beginner would need to start.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can name an interest and give a reason.
- I can ask two relevant follow-up questions.
- I can show interest without having the same hobby.