Idioms & Expressions:
spot (an informal word for a place that you like to spend time at)
If you come out tonight, I’ll take you to one of my favorite spots in the city.
vibe/feel/atmosphere/ambience (these are all nouns that can be combined with an adjective to describe a place, such as “pleasant atmosphere, or “nice vibe,” etc)
The restaurant has a good menu and a pleasant vibe.
I like the relaxed ambience in this coffee shop.
fit the bill (if something “fits the bill,” then it fulfils your requirements)
That park fits the bill for the wedding reception.
clean as a whistle (a way to describe something that appears fresh, new, and clean)
The café has been renovated and now it looks new and clean as a whistle.
been around the block (expression to describe something that shows signs of age)
He’s really been around the block. He’s only 30 but he looks 40!
going downhill fast (a term to describe something that is in a state of decline, and is not what it used to be)
That area is going downhill fast. I don’t like going there.
hustle and bustle (a noun that describes the fast-paced movement in a place)
I’m glad I moved to the countryside – I don’t really miss the hustle and bustle of the city.
a place that time forgot (a place that has looked the same for a long time, where modern buildings are features can’t be found)
It’s a charming old neighborhood with no modern homes. It’s a place that time forgot.
passion project (a noun to describe something you do for free, but that you love doing)
One of her passion projects was to write a book of poetry in her spare time.
moonlight (a verb to describe activities you perform outside of your regular job)
He moonlights as a painter, and his work is quite skillful.
follow in (someone’s) footsteps (verb phrase, to do the same thing that someone did before you, usually your parents or ancestors)
He’s following in his father’s footsteps and joining the Army as well.
well-rounded (adjective to describe someone who partakes in a variety of different hobbies or interests)
I try to do a variety of things in my life so I can be more well-rounded.
Part I: Group Discussion
Describe a place in your city or town where you like to go in your free time.
Is there anything you don’t like about it?
What are some things people can do there?
Do you enjoy spending time there? Why or why not?
There’s a place on Xuan Dieu Road in Hanoi right on the corner of West Lake. It’s a little outdoor seating area in front of a coffee shop, and we call it the “Coffee Corner.” At about 11:00 am or noon every day, a large group of expats meets there and we all have some coffee and banh mi sandwiches. We hang out, enjoy the breeze, and catch up on news and small talk (and gossip too, I guess). It’s a pleasant atmosphere, right underneath some shady trees, and everyone goes there almost every day. The only thing I don’t like about it is that sometimes there isn’t a place to sit, since it’s so popular. I wouldn’t say it’s very popular for native Hanoians, but it’s definitely popular among expats who live in the city.
Part II: Group Discussion (Con’t)
Describe a hobby you enjoy doing. You should say:
What the hobby is
What materials or tools you need for it
How you learned to do it and explain why you enjoy it.
I love to practice writing. It’s how I relax and express myself. If I don’t get to write a little bit every day, then I get very anxious. Sometimes I show my writing to my friends and family, but I usually keep quiet about it. I grew up next to a library, and my family didn’t own a TV set. So I had nothing to but read. This inspired me to write! I have been writing very frequently since I was about seven years old. All you need is a pen, paper, or laptop. If I have to, I’ll write at home. I can do it anywhere, though – I just need a notebook or a laptop. Writing has given me greater confidence, because I see myself improving and getting better at it. It has also helped me think more clearly and logically, because you need to present your ideas in a rational manner when you write something. It also makes me less anxious, because as I write, I can attempt to understand what I’m thinking.
Part III: Class Discussion
Why do people have hobbies?
People take up hobbies because hobbies are just things you enjoy spending your free time on, and no one likes to work all the time. People also appreciate a challenge and like to improve at things (most people do, anyway), and this is where hobbies come into their lives.
Are there any hobbies you think are not worthwhile?
Off the top of my head, I can’t think of anything. I think if you spend literally all of your free time watching TV or movies or using social media apps, then that doesn’t really do anything good for you. But then again, I don’t know if you can call social media binging a “hobby.”
What can we learn from hobbies?
Hobbies teach you work at something you enjoy doing, and if you do that, you’ll quickly improve. They also teach you to fail at something, learn from it and keep going. And if you work on your hobby for long enough, you’ll experience the joy that comes from mastering something.
Is it important to teach hobbies to children? Why or why not?
Not necessarily – I think kids normally seek out their own hobbies. Many times, parents try to get their kids interested in a hobby that they’ve enjoyed for a long time, and the children end up disinterested. If children want to follow in their parent’s footsteps, then they should – but I don’t think that they should be forced to.
What can you suggest to working people regarding hobbies?
I would recommend just taking a natural approach. Think about what you really like to do, or what you’ve always wanted to do. If you find that you have free time, then dive into a hobby, whatever it is. I think you’ll find that it’ll enrich your life and it will be more rewarding than watching TV all day.
