Leisure

Hobbies, Free Time

1.    Let’s talk about your hobbies. What do you like doing in your free time?

2.    Do you find it useful to go to the theatre or cinema? Why (not)?

3.    What questions can you ask a British friend about his/her free time?

4.    Give me some advice on what to do in my free time.

5.    Many parents think that children should spend less time playing computer games, that they should play outside or do some sport instead. What do you think about this?

6.    Is cinema still important? Why (not)?

7.    What questions can you ask a British friend about his/her hobbies?

8.    Can you recommend me to watch one of the films you have seen recently?

9.    Many parents complain that children don’t read books. Why do you think children are not interested in reading?

10.     Do you find it useful to read books? Why (not)?

11.     What questions will you ask a British teenager to find out what kind of reader he/she is?

12.     Many parents don’t like the music their children listen to. They often argue about it. What can you advise them to do to get along with each other?

13.     Do you think it is possible to enjoy yourself without spending much money?

14.     What hobbies do teenagers have?

15.    Do you consider some creative person very special? Why?

16.    What questions would you like to ask a celebrity?

17.    Give me some advice on what book to buy for my teenage neighbour.

18.   Many parents often complain that teenagers don’t want to spend their free time with them. What do you think about this?

 1.      Let’s talk about leisure time.

To begin with I’d like to point out that there are a lot of different ways to spend your free time. As a proverb runs:” Many men, many minds or Tastes differ.” People can do sports, work out,  play computer games, surf the Internet, read books, draw, paint, play musical instruments, dance, design costumes, knit, sew or just watch TV. One of the most popular hobbies is collecting. People can collect everything. The most popular items are records, postcards, stamps, coins and stickers. Coins, old and new, have a special attraction for many people. Coins can be seen as mirrors of history. Amateur collectors enjoy collecting coins for their beauty, rarity, and the stories behind them.

Stamp collecting is also fun. You can learn a lot through stamps, especially about history and geography. Stamps and coins are great ways to bring history alive. A stamp collection is also a window on the world, offering glimpse of the flora, history, technology, arts and sports of every country and continent.

Gardening is a very popular hobby and favourite pastime for many people.  Lots of people spend their free time on their plots of land growing flowers, vegetables and fruit.  I’d like to point out, that  gardening is good for health as you have to spend a lot of time outdoors, and take a lot of exercise. Gardeners read lots of books on the subject and ask for tips from experienced gardeners nearby.

Lots of people enjoy travelling, which is a remarkable key to understanding other cultures, a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the world we live in. People travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities, ruins of ancient towns, to enjoy picturesque places, to meet different people, to taste different food. As for me…

In a nutshell, if you have chosen a hobby according to your character and taste you are lucky because your life becomes more interesting.

2.      Do you find it useful to read books? Why (not)?

Yes, I find it useful to read books because they make us think, they form our characters and give us knowledge about the world around. Books widen our horizons, enrich our vocabulary. They make us better and more humane. Books teach us to be honest, modest, and courageous.

3.      What questions can you ask your British friend about his\her free time?

1.        Do you have a lot of free time?

2.        What do you like to do in your free time?

3.        What are you interested in?

4.        Are you fond of sport?

5.        Do you like collecting things?

4.      Do you think it is possible to enjoy yourself without spending much money?

Yes, I think it is possible to enjoy yourself without spending much money. You can read exciting books, watch thrilling TV shows or spend a pleasant evening socializing with your friends.  You can go for walks, go skiing in winter, bathe and sunbathe in summer.  To sum it up I’d like to say that if you want to enjoy yourself you will find a way to do it even if you don’t have much money…

Hobbies

Hobbies differ like tastes. If you have chosen a hobby according to your character and taste you are lucky because your life becomes more interesting.

Hobbies are divided into four large classes: doing things, making things, collecting things, and learning things. The most popular of all hobby groups is doing things. It includes a wide variety of activities, everything from gardening to travelling and from chess to volleyball.

Gardening is one of the oldest of man's hobbies. It's a well-known fact that the English are very fond of gardening and growing flowers, especially roses.

Both grown-ups and children are fond of playing different computer games. This is a relatively new hobby but it's becoming more and more popular. Making things includes drawing, painting, making sculpture, designing costumes, handicrafts. 

Some hobbyists write music or play musical instruments. Almost everyone collects something at some period in his life: stamps, coins, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, watches. Some collections have no real value. Others become so large and so valuable that they are housed in museums and galleries.

Many world-famous collections started in a small way with one or two items. People with a good deal of money often collect paintings, rare books and other art objects. Often such private collections are given to museums, libraries and public galleries so that others might take pleasure in seeing them.

No matter what kind of hobby a person has, he always has the opportunity of learning from it. By reading about the things he is interested in, he is adding to what he knows. Learning things can be the most exciting aspect of a hobby.

Lesson 5, Ex.2b

My name is Trish and I volunteer because it is my hobby and my passion. I love to help others out and provide knowledge and guidance where needed. I have met some amazing people who have inspired me to do new things, take chances and get involved in things I normally don't participate in.

I remember my first year to volunteer in a summer day camp with kids, and what a great experience it was. I was always in position of a student, never a leader. As a volunteer I was helping others, but I also helped myself. I was very nervous on my first day, after going through preparation programs. I wanted to do a good job. What a surprise my first day was. It was great! It built my self confidence a lot!  Since I've grown up, I've forgotten what it's like to be a little kid. I didn't realize that even the simplest things could make them happy.

Ever since I've been volunteering at Summer Day Camps, I've really enjoyed getting to know the children and learning more about myself. All the time I've spent with these children taught me a great deal of things and I hope to see them again next summer!

My name is Ready, I’m from Jakarta, Indonesia. I am just an ordinary student who has a lot of hobbies. One of my hobbies is photography and more often than not I’m taking photographs. I am not really serious about photography, but I am doing it because I want to express the ideas that come into my mind.

I am not really very good at writing, but with a photo I can explain the messages that I want to share, just as some people write out what they think and feel. Some people, like me, pour their imagination into whatever work they choose to give their time to.

I have known about photography since I was in elementary school. I was interested in trying the cameras that my grandfather had, and he taught me a little about photography as a hobby. Then he gave me an SLR camera that he had used before — a Canon FTB — and I started taking pictures of the environment around me.  Later I decided to get a more formal education about the basics of photography, and I started to learn about the photography Internet forums in Jakarta. Now I also follow some small exhibitions and photography competitions on the forums, and several were held at my school. One of my achievements is the first prize for the series of photographs that today illustrate my school catalogue.

My name is Peter Tringham and as a hobby I enjoy carving emu eggs. I started carving eggshells about four and one half years ago and over time I hope this hobby becomes a business of which I would be very proud.

Carved and painted emu eggs are a genuine part of our Australian Aboriginal Culture. Carving continues today with dozens of artists depicting important animals, people, traditions and scenes from the past or present. Together, these egg-images provide us with a rich visual history - they illustrate and tell stories of Australian traditions, adventure and environment. 

The process is simple and costs you nothing. All the equipment you need to start is a penknife and good light. Of course you need safety glasses as I have had a few trips to hospital to have the shell removed from my eyes.

Ostrich eggshells are my favorite to carve because of their thickness and size. I like the Emu eggs because of the 3 color tone and they are easier to carve but will also crack easier.

My mum is very supportive of my art. We are both waiting patiently for the time when I finish my studies and will be able to move to art full-time.

My name is Megan and I'm an Irish dancer. Irish dancing is what I'm passionate about, it is what makes me me. It makes me stand out from the crowd. I don't do judo, I don't sing in the choir, instead I'm an Irish dancer.
Irish dancing is a competitive global sport, and it is not an easy sport to do. I’ve been doing it for 4 years and still I do 2 hour classes four nights a week. It is a hobby which takes up enormous amount of time, which is why it's the only hobby I do. But I don't mind, because Irish dancing is the only thing for me.
It’s also money consuming. Dancers that participate in championships would wear a wig, their dresses are either second hand or designed and cost thousands. They also wear heavy make-up and fake tan; this is so they won't look pale on stage.
From reading the description above you would think that Irish dancing was more like a beauty contest than a talent competition. If you do, then I would agree with you. Sometimes, I feel like throwing up my hands in the air and wonder, "Why am I still doing this?" after a bad result.
However, I can't. Because I love Irish dancing. Call me crazy, but it's my life. When I'm stuck with a load of homework to do, or I have a bad day, I just start dancing. Hopefully I would like to get in as a troupe dancer for Riverdance for a year, just to see what it's like.

Lesson 1, ex.3a

Bonsai Trees

Bonsai means "tree in a pot" (or tray) in Japanese, and refers to growing trees in small pots in such a way as to look old, interesting and artistic. The art is believed to have originated in China thousands of years ago, and is now practiced all over the world, e.g. in Japan, where traditional examples are known for their more formal designs, and in present day China, Vietnam and other south Asian countries where they are less formal, but may include more of a landscape feel, with large rocks simulating mountains, pools of water and tiny ceramic figures called 'mudmen' (many of which are fishermen, or storks - a symbol of luck in the far east).

While bonsai may be decorative, they are very much living things and should first and always be regarded as such rather than conversation pieces. It can take decades to produce a beautiful bonsai, weeks to finish it off through lack of care and experience.

However, if you have the time, interest and vision to want to grow bonsai, and it doesn't have to be hard, the rewards are terrific, and you'll never be sorry!

Volunteering

They say in order to help yourself, you should do something to help others. Volunteering involves giving work to an organization for free. The time can range from an hour to several thousand hours a year. Volunteering as a hobby can be as rewarding and enjoyable as the individual decides to make it. Some ideas for volunteering include reading to the elderly in the hospital, playing with children in an orphanage, helping a child with homework, working in a soup kitchen, taking a pet into a nursing home to cheer up the residents, shopping for an elderly neighbour and knitting for charity (There’s always a need for warm blankets, hats and gloves.) Start slowly with these and before you know it, you’ll find yourself doing more and more and loving it.

Gadgets

Gadgets of any type are the new trends in hobbies, especially among the young people. Gone are the days when children innocently collected stamps or match boxes or even buttons. Most teens will be happy to collect electronic gadgets such as cell phones, iPods, cameras, video cameras, voice recorders and more. If you are thinking of a present, you really can't go wrong with these. As soon as one gadget hits the shelf, another newer model is already in production and on its way. New gaming systems and games are also a big hit with teen guys.

Children and young men enjoy remote control toys, guns, boats and aero planes that provide thrill and realism in outdoor hobbies. Even competitions are held at various levels where young people demonstrate their flying and driving skills. Besides, in daily life, the cellular phones, TV remotes, i-Phones and EBook readers are the newest trends in hobbies and pastimes of the younger generation. Without these gadgets, one seems to be totally lost and helpless. The excessive use of cellular phones in messaging (SMS) and using these as mini computers is the hobbyists’ best pastime toy.

Beatboxing

Beatboxing is the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. In classic beatboxing, there are 3 main sounds plus the beat.You have to train very hard to become able to make the sounds and beats faster one after the other, which has the effect of sounding as though the sounds and beats are made at the same time.

After a lot of practise the beats sound like drums (with a bad bass) and additional melodies. Actually, it's quite easy to create some simple beats to begin, but afterwards it's hard to make them clear and strong.

"Human beatboxing" originated in 1980s. Today beatboxing is connected with hip-hop culture, being one of "the elements", although it is not limited to hip-hop music.

Beatboxing is practised all over the world and also in European countries where it's growing in popularity.

Scrapbooking

One of the greatest things about taking up scrapbooking as a hobby is that anyone can do it. It doesn't matter what your budget is, how much time you have to dedicate to it, or even how artistic you are. Beginners can start slow and on a small scale with simple, inexpensive projects. Those who are more enthusiastic have just the sky as their limit when it comes to creating scrapbooking memories.

Scrapbooking is taking things like photos, printed pictures, decorations, and colorful paper and arranging them artfully in an album to create a sort of memorabilia. A scrapbook in itself can be considered as an extra fancy photo album. The size of a scrapbook will vary depending on the person making it and the event they are covering.
Scrapbooking can be a very personal experience. Some eventful occasions to scrapbook for include: love stories, milestones in a child's life, graduations, travels and holidays. Scrapbooks can also be made in a more general sense as a tribute to a favourite activity like fishing and bowling or to pay homage to an occupation like nursing, firefighting, teaching, and more. It doesn't take talent to create a good scrapbook. All you need is a little creativity, as few or as many supplies as you like, and a desire to have some fun.

feel - атмосфера, обстановка

memorabilia (pl.) - memorabilium (sing.) - памятная вещь
milestone - этап