It was Saturday afternoon, and the team had gathered at Diego’s house for a casual get-together. Diego’s spacious backyard, shaded by tall oak trees, was the perfect spot for a weekend barbecue. The group had decided to spend some time away from work to get to know each other better.
“I thought this would be a good chance for us to relax,” Diego said as he flipped burgers on the grill. “And, of course, practice more English!”
“Good idea,” Fatima said, settling into a chair. “It’s easier to talk when we’re not in the office.”
A Friendly Question
As everyone settled in, Maria turned to Chen, who was sitting quietly with a glass of lemonade. “Chen,” she asked, “what do you like to do in your free time?”
Chen looked up, thinking for a moment. “Uh… I like to take photos. Photography is my… hobby. I like to take pictures of nature.”
“That’s so cool!” Maria said. “Do you have any photos with you?”
Chen pulled out his phone and showed them a picture of a colorful sunset over a lake.
“That’s beautiful!” Lily exclaimed. “You have a good eye for colors.”
“Thank you,” Chen said shyly. “It makes me happy to find… beauty in small things.”
Sharing Interests
“What about you, Fatima?” asked Diego, handing her a plate of grilled vegetables. “What are your hobbies?”
Fatima smiled. “I like reading. I read books about art and design. And I like cycling. On Sundays, I ride my bike around the city.”
“Cycling is great exercise,” Alex said, nodding. “And it’s fun, too.”
“What books are you reading now?” asked Maria.
Fatima thought for a moment. “I am reading a book about the history of colors. It’s very interesting. Did you know that blue was once more expensive than gold?”
Everyone looked surprised.
“Wow!” Diego said. “I didn’t know that. Maybe I should read more books!”
Discovering New Hobbies
Maria turned to Diego. “And you? What do you like to do?”
Diego laughed. “Well, I love cooking! I like to try new recipes. Today, I’m making my favorite grilled chicken. I also play football with my friends on weekends.”
“Cooking and football,” Lily said. “You must be very busy on weekends.”
“Yes, but it’s fun,” Diego replied. “I like to keep moving.”
“What about you, Maria?” Alex asked.
Maria smiled. “I enjoy dancing. Salsa, mostly. It’s a good way to exercise and meet people. I also like gardening. I grow tomatoes and flowers.”
“Dancing and gardening,” Chen repeated. “That’s an interesting combination.”
Maria laughed. “I like balance—fast dancing and slow gardening!”
Hobbies and Family
Lily, who had been listening quietly, spoke next. “I don’t have much free time because I have kids, but I enjoy painting with them. We use watercolors. It’s messy, but fun.”
“That sounds lovely,” Fatima said. “Do your kids like painting?”
“They love it!” Lily said with a smile. “Sometimes, they paint on the walls. That’s not so fun.”
Everyone laughed.
Alex looked around the group. “My hobby is hiking. I like to go to the mountains and walk for hours. It helps me relax and think.”
“Do you hike alone?” Maria asked.
“Sometimes,” Alex replied. “But I also go with friends. The fresh air is the best part.”
Practicing English
After everyone had shared their hobbies, Alex suggested an activity. “Let’s practice asking questions about hobbies. This will help us learn more about each other and improve our English.”
He turned to Chen. “Chen, ask Diego a question about his hobby.”
Chen thought for a moment. “Diego, why do you like… cooking?”
Diego smiled. “I like cooking because it makes people happy. When people enjoy the food I make, it feels good.”
“Good question, Chen,” Alex said. “Now, Diego, ask Fatima something.”
“Okay,” Diego said, turning to Fatima. “Where do you go cycling?”
Fatima answered, “I go to the park near my house. It has a long path for bikes.”
The group continued practicing, each person taking turns to ask and answer questions.
Wrapping Up
As the sun set, the group sat around a small firepit, enjoying the warm glow.
“This was a great day,” Lily said. “I feel like I know all of you better now.”
“And we got to practice English,” Fatima added.
Alex raised his glass of lemonade. “Here’s to hobbies, good food, and improving our English together!”
“Cheers!” everyone said in unison.
Activity: Talking About Your Hobbies
Answer these questions in your own words:
- What is your favorite hobby?
- Why do you enjoy it?
- How often do you do it?
- Practice these sentences:
- My favorite hobby is ____.
- I enjoy it because ____.
- I do it every ____.
- Write a short paragraph about your hobby and share it with a friend or teacher.