Hobbies & interests.
Everyone has something they love to do. It is the easiest way into a great conversation — so let’s get students talking about it.
Warm-up · ask three
- What did you do for fun last weekend?
- If you had a free afternoon right now, how would you spend it?
- What’s a hobby you’ve always wanted to try?
Free time, the fun way
Let's talk
Discussion questions
Project the generator and let it cold-call a question. Filter by level, then give a student 60 seconds to talk. Browse the full decks below.
Random question generator
Press “New question” to put one on the board.
Deck 1
Getting started
- What is your favorite hobby? How did you get started with it?A2
- How often do you spend time on your hobbies? Do you wish you had more time?A2
- Have your hobbies changed since you were a child? How are they different now?B1
- Is there a hobby you'd like to try but haven't yet? What's stopping you?B1
Deck 2
Active or relaxing?
- Do you prefer active hobbies like sports, or relaxing ones like reading? Why?A2
- How do you usually spend your free time — being busy or relaxing?A2
- How do you feel about hobbies that involve physical activity, like hiking or dancing?B1
- Are there any hobbies you used to do but don't anymore? Why did you stop?B1
- What are some hobbies or activities that you don't enjoy? Why not?A2
Deck 3
Skill & creativity
- What equipment or materials do you need for your favorite hobby?A2
- Can you name five hobbies that are popular in your country? Which do you like most?A2
- Do you have any hobbies that involve creativity, like painting or writing? What do you create?B1
- Are there any hobbies that require a lot of skill or practice? Which ones, and why?B1
- How would you describe your hobby to someone who has never tried it before?B1
Deck 4
Hobbies & people
- Do you prefer hobbies you can do alone, or ones that involve other people? Why?A2
- How do you talk about your hobbies when you meet someone new?B1
- Have you ever made a friend through a shared hobby? What was the experience like?B1
- What would you say to someone who wanted to start a hobby you're passionate about?B2–C1
- If you could spend a day with an expert in your favorite hobby, who would it be and what would you ask?B2–C1
Deck 5
Deeper thinking
- Have you ever followed a tutorial or video to learn a new hobby? How did it go?B1
- What's the most interesting fact you know about someone else's hobby?B1
- Can you recommend a good website, blog, or book for someone learning your hobby?B1
- Do you think reading about a hobby is as enjoyable as doing it? Why or why not?B2–C1
- Imagine you could invent a new hobby that doesn't exist yet. What would it be?B2–C1
Talk for longer
Useful language
Give students the phrases they need to actually produce. Pre-teach a handful, then challenge them to slip three into the discussion.
Sentence starters
Scaffolding for A2–B1 — finish the sentence about you.
Saying what you love
How you started
When it's not for you
Keep it going (follow-ups)
Words & phrases
Collocations to upgrade B1–C1 speaking.
to start a new hobby or activity
"I took up painting last year."
to like and be interested in something
"I'm really into photography these days."
to be enthusiastic about something
"She's very keen on hiking."
to do something casually, not seriously
"I dabble in guitar now and then."
to become unable to stop doing something
"I got hooked on chess over the summer."
to try something for the first time
"I'd love to give climbing a go."
an activity you do for enjoyment
"Reading is my favorite pastime."
Classroom game
Guess My Hobby
Reveal the clues one at a time. Teams shout out the hobby — the sooner they guess, the more points they win. Three clues, three… two… one point.
It’s…
How to play: Read clue one — teams guess for 3 points. Stuck? Reveal the next clue for 2, then 1. Award points with the +/- buttons, then move to a new hobby.
Model dialogue
Anna & Ben catch up
Read it together, notice the highlighted phrases, then act it out — and finally make your own.
At break, leaning on the lockers. Two friends are catching up after the holidays.
Heyyy, I haven't seen you all summer! What have you been up to?
Honestly? Way too much drawing. I properly got into digital art — like, on my tablet.
Wait, that's actually so cool. Can I see some?
Yeah, it's all on my phone, I'll show you later. What about you — still basically living at the gym?
Pretty much. But the big thing now is skating. I took it up in summer and I'm completely hooked.
No way, since when do you skate?!
My cousin got me into it. I've fallen over like a thousand times, but it's so much fun.
That is so you. I'd literally break something.
Honestly, same at first. So what do you love about the drawing?
I don't know — you just zone out and time kind of disappears. It's really relaxing.
I get that, the gym's like that for me. Oh — I've been wanting to give climbing a go, the indoor wall ones.
Do it! And I really want to learn guitar — I've been into music forever.
Okay, deal: you start guitar, I'll drag you to the climbing wall.
Fine. But I'm filming you falling off that skateboard first.
Now make your own
Student A · the creative one
You love artistic hobbies
Painting, music, writing, photography — anything where you make something. You'd love to try a new creative skill.
Student B · the adventurer
You love active hobbies
Climbing, cycling, hiking, sport — anything outdoors and energetic. You'd love to try a new challenge.
Your mission
- Greet each other naturally, like you haven't talked in a while.
- Find out each other's main hobby and how you got started.
- Share one new hobby you'd each like to try — and why.
- Use at least three phrases from the Useful language section.
Wind down & write
Choose your writing task
Pick one prompt to finish in class or as homework. Every option keeps students talking about what they love.
01
Write about your favorite hobby and explain why you enjoy it so much.
02
Describe a time you learned something new about your hobby. How did it change the way you enjoy it?
03
Imagine you could invent a brand-new hobby that doesn't exist yet. What would it be, and how would people enjoy it?
04
Write about a hobby you used to have but no longer do. Why did you stop, and do you miss it?
05
Describe how your hobby makes you feel. Does it help you relax, get excited, or something else?
Exit ticket · 60 seconds
Before you leave
Quick round-the-room close: each student answers in one sentence. A fast way to check listening and end on a personal note.
"Tell the class one new thing you learned about a classmate's hobby today."