CEFR Band 1 (A1) · Chapter 27: — English

Dialogue

I like swim?

Emma What do you do in your free time, Minsu?
Minsu I like read books. And I like swim.
Emma Add -ing after "like": "I like reading", "I like swimming". Or say "I like to read".
Minsu OK. I like reading books, and I like swimming.

Dialogue

Do you like sport?

Emma Do you like football, Minsu?
Minsu Yes, I love football. I play every weekend. Do you like sport?
Emma I like swimming and dancing, but I don't like football.
Minsu Then let's watch a film together this weekend!

Vocabulary

汉字	POS	Meaning
free time	n.	free time
hobby	n.	hobby
music	n.	music
film	n.	film
sport	n.	sport
football	n.	football
read	v.	read
swim	v.	swim
dance	v.	dance
like	v.	like

Grammar

I like swimming I like swimming

To say what you enjoy, use "like", "love", "enjoy" or "don't like". Before a noun, just add the noun: I like music. I love football. Before a verb, use the -ing form: I like swimming. I enjoy reading. I don't like cooking. A second pattern is "like to" + plain verb, with the same meaning: I like to swim. Both are correct, but you cannot leave the verb plain on its own — "I like swim" is wrong. To ask, say "Do you like …?": Do you like football? — Yes, I do. / No, I don't.

I like music and I love films. I like music and I love films.
I like swimming, but I don't like running. I like swimming, but I don't like running.
She enjoys reading in her free time. She enjoys reading in her free time.
Do you like football? — Yes, I do. Do you like football? — Yes, I do.

Culture

Free time and the weekend Free time and the weekend

In the US, the UK, Australia and Canada, free time often centres on the weekend, and people love to talk about it. "What are you up to this weekend?" on Friday and "How was your weekend?" on Monday are everyday small talk. Knowing how to answer — and how people spend that time — helps you join in.

Weekend small talk

Talking about free time is a safe, friendly topic — much safer than money or age. A colleague may ask "Any plans for the weekend?", and a short answer is all that is expected: "Not much, just relaxing" or "I'm going to see friends". On Monday the question flips to "How was your weekend?", and "Good, thanks — I went hiking. How about you?" keeps the exchange going. The point is not the detail but the friendly back-and-forth.

Sport, watching and playing

Sport is a huge part of free time, and each country has its favourites: American football and baseball in the US, football (soccer) and rugby in the UK, cricket and "footy" in Australia, ice hockey in Canada. Many people follow a team all their lives and wear its colours on match day. You do not have to play to join in — watching a game at home, in a pub or a bar with friends is just as common, and "Did you see the game?" is a easy way to start a conversation.

Clubs and hobbies

Beyond sport, people join clubs and classes for almost anything — book clubs, choirs, running groups, gardening, board games, hiking. Community noticeboards, libraries and apps list them, and most welcome beginners. Volunteering is also a common way to spend free time and meet people. If someone invites you to "come along" to their club, it is a friendly, low-pressure offer: you can just try it once and see if you enjoy it.

So free time is easy conversation ground: ask about the weekend, share what you like doing, and say yes when someone invites you along. You do not need perfect English — a few words about your hobbies are enough to make a friend.

pronunciation

Free time and hobbies