Talking point: Hobbies and passions

In this week's talking point we are discussing hobbies. Before getting together with the members of your conversation group, think about the questions below so that ideas flow more easily when you get together with your friends and you can work out vocabulary issues beforehand.

• Do you have an unusual hobby? What does it involve? How often do you do it? What equipment do you need? How did you get interested in it?
• What's the most enjoyable hobby you've ever tried?
• What's the most unusual hobby you have ever heard of?
• Do you know anyone with a strange or unusual hobby?
• Why do some people take up unusual hobbies?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of spending time and money on a hobby?
• Can you imagine any of your hobbies becoming so important that you earn your living from it?
• Do you know anyone who earns their living from their hobby?

INTERACTION

• Talk about the hobbies below. Do they appeal to you? Would you like to try them to see what they are like? Try to agree with the members of your conversation group on a hobby to do together.

Collecting memorabilia from the Star Wars or the Lord of the Rings films
Following your favourite football team in their away matches
Collecting autographs from famous people
Fishing
Learning ball dances (salsa, merengue, tango, waltz, cha cha, paso doble, foxtrot)

To illustrate the topic, you can listen to Darren and Dai from Elllo discussing the benefits of fishing as a pastime.