Lessons centered around hobbies are among the most frequently conducted sessions in my experience. Exploring a student's hobbies not only provides insights into their preferences and pastimes but also fosters a deeper connection that makes teaching English gratifying and interactive on Rubilan.

Over time, I've come to realize that my students also exhibit keen interest in learning about me and my hobbies. Leveraging my own hobbies in the teaching process adds a layer of excitement and engagement to the class. Here's a lesson structure I enjoy employing, incorporating my hobbies into the English learning journey:

  1. Understanding Hobbies:I kick off the class by inquiring about the concept of a hobby, ideally receiving responses that describe it as an activity enjoyed during leisure time. To ensure clarity, I might pose questions such as "Can you earn money from a hobby?" This helps ensure a full grasp of the concept. Depending on the student's proficiency level, I might introduce alternative ways of inquiring about hobbies. In English, we often ask "What do you do for fun?" or "How do you spend your free time?" instead.

  2. Unveiling "My Hobbies":I display a slide titled "My Hobbies" and invite the student to guess what each of my hobbies is. I begin with a familiar term like 'running', a word most students are familiar with, unless they are absolute beginners. This serves as a chance to use amusing visuals that captivate the student's interest. For instance, I might display a picture of my flushed and sweaty face (which often garners a chuckle) and pose questions like "How do I seem in this picture?" or "Why am I feeling this way?" This leads the student to deduce that the photo captures me exercising, and I can then share additional images to reinforce the notion that the activity is running. This also offers a golden opportunity to elicit diverse vocabulary based on the student's proficiency level. A lower-level learner might recognize 'shoes', while an advanced learner might use 'trainers'.

  3. Exploring Related Vocabulary:This phase is perfect for delving into the equipment and actions associated with my hobby. I could display outdoor settings or a treadmill, running attire, and use these to spark a conversation with my student. This equips the student with vocabulary linked to an activity they might also enjoy, while reinforcing words they already know. Encouraging the student to ask questions about my hobby simulates a real-world interaction.

  4. Repeat for Different Hobbies:I repeat this approach for around three more hobbies, tailoring the choice to suit the learner. For instance, if I know a student shares my passion for cooking, discussing this hobby reinforces the language and encourages a stimulating conversation, sparking inspiration in the learner.

  5. Student's Turn:In conclusion, I ask the student to choose one of their hobbies and present it using pictures. I attempt to guess the hobby based on the images. For younger students, I might even invite them to draw a picture (although this comes with the caveat of potential confusion if my interpretation falls short!). Once again, we proceed to discuss the actions and tools related to the hobby, and I engage the student with inquiries. This lesson structure seamlessly adapts to learners of varying ages, proficiencies, and class sizes, making it versatile and effective. Flexibility and audience awareness are paramount in any lesson, and a vital aspect of maintaining enthusiasm for language learning lies in enjoying the process and delving into topics one loves. What are your thoughts? I'm eager to hear your additional ideas for incorporating hobbies into English teaching, so feel free to share them in the comments below.