Sharing Hobbies and Current Activities.

In this lesson you talk about what you enjoy in your free time and what you and other people are doing right now. You read and listen to short social media posts, conversations and diary entries about hobbies, sports and entertainment. You practise explaining what you usually do at weekends and after work, and then contrast that with what is happening at the moment, for instance I am staying with friends this week. Controlled practice helps you see the difference between talking about habits and talking about temporary situations. You also learn how to invite people to do something with you and how to respond politely with yes or no. By the end of the lesson you can join a short chat about free time, explain your current activities and make simple plans with friends.

1. Free time: meeting Alex online.

Let us start with a simple, friendly situation. Imagine you have just joined a new English course. There is an online group for the class, and one of your classmates, Alex, has written a short post to introduce himself and talk about his free time. In this block, you are going to look at Alex’s post and notice some very useful phrases for talking about hobbies and regular free time activities. These phrases will help you describe your own life clearly in English, and they will also be important later when you make invitations and plans. While you read, focus on two things. First, what does Alex like doing in his free time? Second, how does he build his sentences? Listen out for patterns like “In my free time I like…” and “I usually…”. After that, you will answer a few questions about Alex and then write some simple sentences about your own hobbies using the same patterns.

Alex’s introduction post.

Imagine you open your class chat and see this new message from your classmate Alex:

> Hi everyone!

>

> My name is Alex and I am from Manchester, in the UK. I work in an office, so I am usually quite tired after work.

>

> In my free time I like reading, especially crime novels. I also enjoy playing football with my friends in the park on Saturdays. At weekends I often watch films or series online. I do not usually go out on Friday nights because I get up early on Saturday for football.

>

> I am really happy to be in this course. In my free time I like learning languages, so I am excited to learn English with you all.

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Noticing useful patterns.

Alex uses some very natural patterns to talk about his free time. These are great for everyday English.

Look at these examples from his post:

• In my free time I like reading.
• I also enjoy playing football with my friends.
• At weekends I often watch films or series online.
• I do not usually go out on Friday nights.

We use the present simple here because Alex is talking about habits – things that are true in general and happen again and again.

Notice how the verbs change:

• like + noun / -ing verb
• I like books.
• I like reading.
• enjoy + -ing verb
• I enjoy playing football.

You can copy these patterns to talk about yourself.

Useful chunks for your hobbies.

Here are some chunks you can steal and reuse:

• In my free time I like… reading / cooking / playing games / going for walks
• I enjoy …-ing. I enjoy playing tennis. I enjoy watching series.
• At weekends I … At weekends I meet my friends.
• I do not usually … I do not usually go out on Sundays.

You will use these in a moment to describe your hobbies.

Practice & Feedback

Read Alex’s post again carefully. First, show that you understood the text. Then, use Alex’s patterns to talk about your own free time.

Answer these questions in full sentences:

• Where is Alex from?
• What does he like doing in his free time?
• What does he usually do at weekends?

Now write 3–5 sentences about your hobbies and free time. Try to use at least two of these patterns:

• In my free time I like…
• I enjoy …-ing.
• At weekends I…
• I do not usually…

Write everything together in one small paragraph. Imagine you are posting in the same class chat to introduce yourself.

2. This week: talking about current activities.

You now know how Alex talks about his usual free time. Let us move on to what is happening right now or around now. In English, we often need to explain that this week or these days are different from our normal routine. To do this, we use a different form called the present continuous, with am, is or are and a verb with ing. For example, we say, I am staying with friends this week or She is watching a film at the moment. In this block, you will listen to Alex again. This time he is speaking like a short diary entry about his normal life and about this special week. As you listen, try to hear which sentences describe his habits and which ones describe temporary activities now. Afterwards, you will write a few clear sentences to show the difference between Alex’s routine and what he is doing this week.

Alex’s normal life vs this week.

In the last block you read about Alex’s free time in general. Now he sends a voice message to the group to explain why this week is different.

Before you listen, look at this contrast:

We use the present simple for things that are always or usually true:

• I play football every Saturday.
• I usually watch films at the weekend.

We use the present continuous for things that are happening now or are temporary around now:

• I am staying with friends right now.
• She is watching a film at the moment.
• He is working late this week.

Common time expressions with the present continuous:

• now, at the moment, right now
• this week, this month, today

Listen for the difference.

In the short audio for this activity, Alex talks about his normal routine and his current week. While you listen, try to notice:

• When does he talk about things he always does?
• When does he talk about things that are only for this week?

You will then write sentences like:

• Alex usually … but this week he is …
• Alex often …, and at the moment he is …

This will help you clearly show the difference between your habits and your current activities.

Practice & Feedback

Listen to Alex’s short diary-style message at least once. If you do not catch everything, do not worry. Focus on understanding the main ideas: his normal routine and what is different this week.

Then write 4–6 sentences:

1. Two sentences about Alex’s usual life using the present simple. For example: Alex usually… or He often….
2. Two to four sentences about this week using the present continuous. For example: This week he is… or At the moment he is….

Try to use some of these time expressions: usually, often, at the moment, this week, right now.

Check that you use present simple for habits and am / is / are + -ing for actions now or this week. Write everything in one short paragraph.

3. Making weekend invitations.

You can now talk about your hobbies and about what is happening this week. The next step is to use this language to connect with other people. In real life, we often want to invite friends to do something with us, for example to play football, watch a film or go to a café. In English, there are some very friendly and natural ways to do this. In this block, you will read a short dialogue between you and Alex where you are making plans for the weekend. I want you to notice three things. First, the questions we use to ask about plans, such as, What are you doing this weekend? or Are you doing anything tonight? Second, the invitations themselves, for example, Would you like to come with us? Third, the polite answers, both yes and no, like That sounds great or I am afraid I cannot. After you read, you will write your own invitations and possible answers so you can use them in real conversations.

Talking about weekend plans.

Here is a short dialogue between you and Alex after his week in London. You are chatting about the weekend.

> You: Hi Alex, what are you doing this weekend?

> Alex: I am going back to Manchester on Saturday. On Sunday I am not doing anything special. Why?

> You: Would you like to come to the cinema with me and some friends on Sunday afternoon? We are watching a new film.

> Alex: That sounds great. I love films. What time are you going?

> You: We are meeting at three o’clock in front of the cinema.

> Alex: Perfect. See you there!

In this dialogue you can see:

• A question about plans:
• What are you doing this weekend?
• An invitation:
• Would you like to come to the cinema with me…?
• A positive answer:
• That sounds great.
• Perfect. See you there!

Useful invitation chunks.

Here are some very common, friendly ways to invite someone:

• What are you doing this weekend?
• Are you doing anything tonight?
• Would you like to…?
• Would you like to come with us?
• Would you like to play football on Saturday?
• Do you want to…?
• Do you want to watch a film tonight?

Positive answers:

• That sounds great.
• Yes, I would love to.
• Sure, why not?

Polite negative answers:

• I am afraid I cannot.
• Sorry, I am busy that day.
• I do not usually go out on Fridays.

When you say no, it is good to give a short reason:

• I am afraid I cannot. I am working late this week.
• Sorry, I am visiting my family this weekend.

You will now practise writing invitations and answers that fit your real life.

Practice & Feedback

Look at the dialogue and the invitation phrases on the screen again. Imagine you are inviting different friends to do things that you really like in your free time.

Write:

Four invitation sentences using some of these patterns:

• What are you doing…?
• Are you doing anything…?
• Would you like to…?
• Do you want to…?

Four possible answers to your invitations:

• Two positive answers (accept the invitation) using phrases like That sounds great or Yes, I would love to.
• Two polite negative answers (say no) using phrases like I am afraid I cannot or Sorry, I am busy….

You can write them as separate lines, for example:

• Invitation 1: …
• Answer 1 (yes/no): …

Try to include at least one real hobby of yours, such as playing football, watching a film, going for a walk or playing games.

4. Joining a group chat about plans.

You have practised invitations in full, clear sentences. In real life, though, many of your invitations will happen in quick messages, for example in WhatsApp or another chat app. The language is often shorter, but it is still polite and clear. In this block, you will see a small group chat with Alex and another friend, Lina, making plans for the weekend. Notice how they talk about what they are doing now, what they usually do, and what they want to do together. Also notice that they do not write long paragraphs, just short, friendly lines. After you read the chat, you will join the conversation as yourself. You will write a few short messages: first to say what you are doing at the moment, then to say if you like their idea, and finally to suggest a time or place. This is your first chat-style simulation, so imagine you are really typing on your phone.

A weekend plans group chat.

Look at this WhatsApp-style group chat called "Saturday Plans".

> Alex: Hi everyone! What are you doing this Saturday?

> Lina: Hi! I am not working this weekend. In my free time I like hiking, but this Saturday I am staying in the city.

> Alex: I usually play football on Saturdays, but this week I am free. Would you like to do something together?

> Lina: That sounds great. Are you doing anything in the afternoon?

> Alex: I am watching a film at the moment, but this afternoon I am not doing much. Do you want to go to the new café in the park?

> Lina: Sure, why not? I love coffee. We are meeting at three?

> Alex: Yes, let us meet at three in front of the café.

This chat uses:

• Present simple for habits:
• In my free time I like hiking.
• I usually play football on Saturdays.
• Present continuous for now / this week:
• I am not working this weekend.
• This Saturday I am staying in the city.
• I am watching a film at the moment.
• Invitations and plans:
• Would you like to do something together?
• Do you want to go to the new café in the park?
• We are meeting at three?

Writing like real chat messages.

Chat messages are usually:

• Short, often one idea per line.
• Friendly, with simple phrases like Hi! and Sure, why not?
• Still clear about time and place: at three, in the park, this Saturday.

You can copy this style. In the activity, you will join the group chat as yourself and help make the plan.

Practice & Feedback

Imagine you are also in the "Saturday Plans" group chat with Alex and Lina.

Continue the chat with 3–6 short messages written as if you are really typing on your phone. Write each message on a new line. For example:

• You: Hi, everyone! I am…
• You: At the moment I am…
• You: I like…
• You: Do you want to…?

Include these points in your messages:

1. Say what you are doing right now (present continuous), for example: I am studying English at the moment.
2. Say one of your usual hobbies, for example: In my free time I like… or I usually…
3. Say if you like or do not like the idea of going to the café.
4. Suggest a small detail for the plan: maybe a time, another place, or another activity.

Keep the tone friendly and natural, like a real chat.

5. Writing about your hobbies and this week.

You have now worked with posts, a voice message and a chat. It is time to bring everything together in one small piece of writing about you. This is very similar to what people write on social media or in a short email to a new friend. In this block, you will see a model post where someone talks about three things: what they usually like doing in their free time, what is happening at the moment, and what they are doing this weekend. Notice how the writer uses words like usually, at the moment and this weekend to organise the information clearly. Your job will be to write a similar post about your life. Use the language we have practised: In my free time I like…, I enjoy…, I am …-ing at the moment, and Would you like to…? At the end, you will even add a small invitation, so another person can reply to you.

A model social media-style post.

Read this short post by Sara, another student in your course.

> Hi everyone!

> In my free time I like reading blogs about travel and I enjoy going for walks in the park. I usually meet my friends on Saturday evenings and we often cook dinner together. At weekends I sometimes watch a film, but I do not usually stay up very late.

>

> At the moment I am staying with my sister in another city because I am helping her with her new baby. I am working online this week, and I am learning English online in the evenings. Right now I am sitting in her kitchen and I am drinking a cup of tea.

>

> This weekend I am going back home on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday I am not doing anything special yet. Would you like to meet for a coffee on Sunday morning?

How is the post organised?.

Sara’s post has a clear structure:

Her free time in general (present simple):

• In my free time I like…
• I usually meet my friends…
• At weekends I sometimes…

Her current situation (present continuous):

• At the moment I am staying…
• I am working online this week.
• Right now I am sitting…

Her plans and an invitation:

• This weekend I am going back home…
• On Sunday I am not doing anything special yet.
• Would you like to meet for a coffee…?

You can use the same three-part structure for your own text.

Useful language for your post.

Free time and habits:

• In my free time I like…
• I enjoy …-ing.
• I usually… / I often… / I sometimes…
• At weekends I…

Current activities:

• At the moment I am …-ing.
• Right now I am …-ing.
• This week I am …-ing.

Plans and invitations:

• This weekend I am…
• On Saturday / Sunday I am…
• Would you like to…?
• Are you doing anything…?

You will now write your own short post using these ideas.

Practice & Feedback

Write your own short post, like Sara’s, for a class group or social media page. Organise it into three parts, but you can write it as one paragraph.

Include:

1. Your free time in general (2–3 sentences in the present simple). For example: In my free time I like… I usually… At weekends I…
2. Your current situation (2–3 sentences in the present continuous). For example: At the moment I am… This week I am… Right now I am…
3. Your plan for this weekend plus an invitation (1–2 sentences). For example: This weekend I am… On Sunday I am… Would you like to…?

Aim for 5–8 sentences in total. Try to reuse as many chunks from the lesson as you can, such as In my free time I like…, I am learning English online, or Would you like to come with us?

6. Full mini conversation about free time plans.

You are ready for a final challenge. So far, you have described your hobbies, talked about what is happening this week, made invitations and joined a group chat. In this last block, you will put everything together in one complete mini conversation. Imagine you meet Alex online or in a messaging app. First you talk about your free time in general, then about what you are doing this week, and finally you make and answer an invitation so that you agree a simple plan. To help you, you will first listen to a short model conversation between two classmates. Notice the order of the questions and answers, and listen for useful chunks like In my free time I like…, I am staying with friends this week, What are you doing this weekend? and That sounds great. After listening, you will write your own dialogue with two speakers. This is your small performance for the lesson.

A complete model conversation.

Read this short conversation between Tom and Nadia, two students in your course.

> Tom: Hi Nadia, how are you? In my free time I like playing video games and going for walks. What do you like doing in your free time?

> Nadia: Hi Tom! I enjoy reading and I often go to the gym. At weekends I usually meet my friends for coffee.

> Tom: Nice. At the moment I am staying with my cousin in another town, and this week I am working from his flat. What are you doing this week?

> Nadia: This week I am studying a lot because I have an exam. Right now I am taking a short break and I am listening to music.

> Tom: What are you doing this weekend? Are you doing anything on Sunday afternoon?

> Nadia: On Saturday I am visiting my parents. On Sunday I am not doing anything special. Why?

> Tom: Would you like to go to the park with me on Sunday? We can walk and talk in English.

> Nadia: That sounds great. Yes, I would love to. What time are we meeting?

> Tom: Let us meet at three o’clock at the park entrance.

> Nadia: Perfect. See you on Sunday!

What happens in the conversation?.

They exchange information about hobbies (present simple):

• In my free time I like playing video games.
• I enjoy reading and I often go to the gym.

They talk about this week (present continuous):

• At the moment I am staying with my cousin…
• This week I am studying a lot…
• Right now I am listening to music.

They make and accept an invitation and fix a plan:

• What are you doing this weekend?
• Would you like to go to the park with me on Sunday?
• That sounds great. Yes, I would love to.
• Let us meet at three o’clock…

Your task.

Your final task is to write a similar conversation with two speakers. You can call them You and Alex, or choose other names. Make sure your dialogue includes:

• At least two lines about hobbies and free time.
• At least two lines about what is happening this week or right now.
• A clear invitation, a polite answer and one line where you agree the time/place.

You will hear a simple audio version of the model conversation to help you with rhythm and intonation, then you will create your own.

Practice & Feedback

Listen to the model conversation in the audio. Think about the order of the topics: hobbies → this week → weekend plans and invitation.

Now write your own conversation script with two speakers. You can use You / Alex, or any two names you like.

Include at least:

• 2 lines where they talk about their free time and hobbies (present simple).
• 2 lines where they talk about this week or right now (present continuous).
• 1 line with an invitation using a pattern like Would you like to…? or Are you doing anything…?
• 1 line with a positive answer such as That sounds great or a polite no, and 1 line where they fix the time and place.

Aim for 8–10 lines in total, writing it like a script, for example:

• You: …
• Alex: …

Try to reuse as many chunks from the lesson as possible so the conversation feels natural.