Slow English Listening Intermediate Practice -- Talking about 👉My Hobbies

Summary

The speaker discusses how sports and hobbies have been part of her life and how they can support both physical and mental well-being. The conversation is presented as English listening practice for A2–B1 learners. The speaker says she will repeat the passage once slowly and clearly, then again a little faster.

Main Ideas

• Sports and social activities: The speaker has enjoyed taking part in sports and activities throughout her life, including soccer, cheerleading, basketball, gymnastics, dance, and baseball.
• Playing versus watching sports: She prefers playing sports to watching them, though she enjoys watching gymnastics competitions and dance shows such as Dance Moms and Dancing with the Stars.
• Exercise and mental well-being: She enjoys going to the gym and tries to go jogging when she cannot make it there. She describes jogging as therapeutic because it helps clear her mind and reduce overthinking. In her view, physical activity benefits both the body and the mind.
• Non-physical hobbies: Hobbies such as drawing, writing, knitting, gardening, and cooking can also help mental health.

Questions for Listeners

The speaker invites listeners to reflect on:

• Whether they play sports and whether they prefer team or individual sports.
• Whether watching sports is as enjoyable as playing them.
• What kinds of exercise help them clear their minds.
• How exercise might help people worry less.
• Which non-physical hobbies they enjoy.

Speakers and Sources

• Speaker: One English-learning podcast host, speaking in the first person about her hobbies and asking questions for practice.
• Other speakers or sources: None featured in the subtitles. The speaker mentions Dance Moms and Dancing with the Stars as examples of dance shows.