Welcome! In this short lesson you’ll practice friendly ways to talk about your interests and ask others about theirs. It’s relaxed — think of it as a chat with a new friend.
Level B1: Lesson 73 — In this lesson you will practice useful frames for saying what you like, asking about current interests, explaining why something matters, and inviting someone to talk more. These are natural phrases for personal conversations (CEFR-aligned).
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Level B1: Use common frames to say what you like and why.
Ask about current interests and follow up with simple questions.
Explain how much time you spend on hobbies and invite more conversation.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
I'm interested in ___.
Express a general interest
Meaning: Express a general interest.
When to use: High-frequency B1 frame for stating topics and activities you care about.
Tip: Avoid saying “I interest in….” Use “I’m interested in ….”
I'm interested in history — I love old maps and stories.
I'm interested in history — I love old maps and stories.
I'm interested in learning about design and how products are made.
I'm interested in learning about design and how products are made.
What are you interested in?
Ask about someone's interests
Meaning: Ask about someone's interests.
When to use: Core conversation question for discovering personal interests.
What are you interested in? — It’s a good first question at a meetup.
What are you interested in? — It’s a good first question at a meetup.
What are you interested in learning next semester?
What are you interested in learning next semester?
I'm really into ___ these days.
Say a current interest
Meaning: Say a current interest.
When to use: Natural spoken frame for describing a current or recent interest.
Tip: Beginners sometimes drop “these days.” Don’t say “I’m really into X day.”
I'm really into podcasts these days — I listen on my commute.
I'm really into podcasts these days — I listen on my commute.
I'm really into baking these days; I try a new recipe every weekend.
I'm really into baking these days; I try a new recipe every weekend.
What are you into these days?
Ask about current interests
Meaning: Ask about current interests.
When to use: Informal but common question for talking about current interests.
What are you into these days? — A casual way to ask a friend.
What are you into these days? — A casual way to ask a friend.
What are you into these days? I haven’t seen you at the studio.
What are you into these days? I haven’t seen you at the studio.
I like ___ because it helps me ___.
Explain why an interest matters
Meaning: Explain why an interest matters.
When to use: Useful B1 explanation frame for giving simple reasons behind interests.
I like painting because it helps me relax after work.
I like painting because it helps me relax after work.
I like learning languages because it helps me meet new people.
I like learning languages because it helps me meet new people.
I spend a lot of time ___.
Describe time spent on an interest
Meaning: Describe time spent on an interest.
When to use: Common frame for describing regular personal interests and habits.
Tip: Don't use “I spend a lot of time to…” — use “spend time” + -ing form.
I spend a lot of time practicing piano each week.
I spend a lot of time practicing piano each week.
I spend a lot of time reading about tech news.
I spend a lot of time reading about tech news.
How did you get interested in ___?
Ask how someone became interested
Meaning: Ask how someone became interested.
When to use: Conversation-expanding question for asking about the origin of an interest.
How did you get interested in photography?
How did you get interested in photography?
How did you get interested in cooking Italian food?
How did you get interested in cooking Italian food?
I'm not really into ___.
Say an interest is not strong
Meaning: Say an interest is not strong.
When to use: Polite everyday frame for expressing lack of interest without sounding too direct.
I'm not really into tennis, but I like watching big matches.
I'm not really into tennis, but I like watching big matches.
I'm not really into reality TV — it's not my thing.
I'm not really into reality TV — it's not my thing.
I'd like to learn more about ___.
Express desire to learn more about a topic
Meaning: Express desire to learn more about a topic.
When to use: Practical B1 frame for discussing curiosity and learning goals.
I'd like to learn more about web development this year.
I'd like to learn more about web development this year.
I'd like to learn more about local history and museums.
I'd like to learn more about local history and museums.
We should talk more about ___.
Invite someone to talk about a shared interest
Meaning: Invite someone to talk about a shared interest.
When to use: Useful conversation move for continuing connection around a shared interest.
We should talk more about photography — I want tips for lighting.
We should talk more about photography — I want tips for lighting.
We should talk more about travel plans before you go.
We should talk more about travel plans before you go.
I've always been curious about ___.
express long-term curiosity about a topic
Meaning: Express long-term curiosity about a topic.
When to use: Useful B1 frame for explaining personal interests beyond simple likes.
I've always been curious about astronomy and the night sky.
I've always been curious about astronomy and the night sky.
I've always been curious about how music theory works.
I've always been curious about how music theory works.
I don't know much about ___, but it sounds interesting.
show mild interest in an unfamiliar topic
Meaning: Show mild interest in an unfamiliar topic.
When to use: Helps learners join conversations about unfamiliar interests.
I don't know much about rock climbing, but it sounds interesting.
I don't know much about rock climbing, but it sounds interesting.
I don't know much about bee-keeping, but it sounds interesting.
I don't know much about bee-keeping, but it sounds interesting.
The thing I like about ___ is ___.
explain what is appealing about an interest
Meaning: Explain what is appealing about an interest.
When to use: High-value explanation frame for giving reasons in personal conversations.
The thing I like about hiking is the quiet mornings and fresh air.
The thing I like about hiking is the quiet mornings and fresh air.
The thing I like about cooking is trying new flavors with friends.
The thing I like about cooking is trying new flavors with friends.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna and David catch up and talk about hobbies.
What interest do they mainly talk about?
Anna
What are you into these days?
Ask about current interests.
David
I'm really into gardening these days.
Say a current interest.
Anna
How did you get interested in gardening?
Ask how someone became interested.
David
I've always been curious about plants, and I spend a lot of time reading about them.
Express long-term curiosity and describe time spent.
Anna
We should talk more about gardening. I'd like to learn more about houseplants.
Invite more conversation and show desire to learn more.
David
I'm interested in plant care, too.
Express a general interest.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which question asks about someone's current, ongoing hobbies?
Which sentence explains why someone likes painting?
Which phrase politely says you do not enjoy a hobby?
Choose the best follow-up question to learn how someone started a hobby.
Lately my free time is all about running. I'm really into running these days.
Lately my free time is all about running. ___.
At a networking event you can start with: What are you interested in?
At a networking event you can start with: ___.
Someone mentions astrophotography and you reply: I don't know much about astrophotography, but it sounds interesting.
Someone mentions astrophotography and you reply: ___.
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
Say this phrase out loud:
I'm interested in ___.
Express a general interest
Say this phrase out loud:
What are you interested in?
Ask about someone's interests
Say this phrase out loud:
I'm really into ___ these days.
Say a current interest
Say this phrase out loud:
What are you into these days?
Ask about current interests
Say this phrase out loud:
I like ___ because it helps me ___.
Explain why an interest matters
Say this phrase out loud:
I spend a lot of time ___.
Describe time spent on an interest
Say this phrase out loud:
How did you get interested in ___?
Ask how someone became interested
Say this phrase out loud:
I'm not really into ___.
Say an interest is not strong
Say this phrase out loud:
I'd like to learn more about ___.
Express desire to learn more about a topic
Say this phrase out loud:
We should talk more about ___.
Invite someone to talk about a shared interest
Say this phrase out loud:
I've always been curious about ___.
Express long-term curiosity about a topic
Say this phrase out loud:
I don't know much about ___, but it sounds interesting.
