Book a lesson

Likes and Dislikes

This engaging A1-A2 ESL lesson plan covers hobbies and creative talents. Students practice expressing preferences (love/like + -ing) and abilities (can/can’t) through vocabulary matching, grammar exercises, and podcast interview role-plays.
  • A1-A2
  • Listening/Speaking
  • 2025
A1
Reading
Listening
Role-play

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Vocabulary: Express likes, dislikes, and preferences about hobbies.
  • Grammar: Use verb+verb combiations.
  • Speaking: Conduct interviews about free-time activities. 

Warmer

Answer the questions.

  1. Do you like spending time alone or with friends?
  2. What is something you can do very well?
  3. What is something you can’t do very well?

Vocabulary

Matching exercise
  1. Can you think of more skills and hobbies?
  2. Which do you like to do?
  3. Which don’t you like to do?

Listening

Listening for Gist

Alex: Welcome to The Weekly Talent Podcast. Today, I am speaking with Mia. Thanks for joining us, Mia!

Mia: Hi Alex. Thanks for inviting me.

Alex: So, Mia, tell us about your talents. What can you do?

Mia: Well, I can do a few creative things. I really love painting portraits.

Alex: That is amazing. Do you paint every day?

Mia: Yes. I like spending time in my art studio. But I don’t like cleaning the brushes after!

Alex: I understand! Cleaning is so boring. Can you do anything else? How about playing music?

Mia: No, I can’t play the guitar, piano, or even sing. I’m terrible at music!

Alex: That’s okay. I’m terrible at music, too. I hear you are good with computers.

Mia: I’m terrible at music, too. I hear you are good with computers. Is that true?

Alex: Do you like baking or cooking?

Mia: Oh, I hate baking and cooking! I always burn the food. I prefer going to restaurants instead.

Alex: Well, we can’t be good at everything. Thanks for talking to us, Mia!

Mia: You’re welcome, Alex.

Grammar

Can / Can't
We use verbs like love, like, hate, and prefer to talk about feelings.
When we talk about an activity, we usually use the -ing form of the verb after these words.
 
• Formula: Subject + Like/Love + Verb-ing
• Example: I love painting. She hates baking.
 
Spelling Rules for -ing:
1. Most verbs: add -ing (read reading)
2. Verbs ending in -e: remove -e and add -ing (bake baking)
3. Short verbs with 1 vowel + 1 consonant: double the consonant (run running, shop shopping)

Is the sentence grammatically correct or incorrect? 

Speaking

 Answer the questions 

1. What is one creative thing you can do? Do you love doing it?
2. Do you prefer watching TV or reading books? Why?
3. Tell me something you hate doing on the weekend? Why?
4. Can you cook or bake? Do you like it?
5. Do you like spending time alone or with friends when you practice your hobbies?
Student A (The Host): You are hosting a podcast called “Hidden Talents.” You need to interview Student B. Ask them:
    ◦ What their name is.
    ◦ What they can do (ask about: painting, singing, or coding).
    ◦ What they love doing in their free time.
    ◦ What they hate doing (e.g., homework or chores).

Student B (The Guest): You are a famous artist or musician.
    ◦ Tell the host what you can do.
    ◦ Tell the host what you prefer doing (e.g., “I can sing, but I prefer playing the guitar”).
    ◦ Use the word “really” to show strong feelings (e.g., “I really love…”)

*Teacher Notes*

When students are finished have them swap roles and repeat. 

Student A (Organizer): You are looking for talent for a big TV competition. You need to write down what people can do.
    ◦ Ask Student B if they want to join.
    ◦ Ask: “Can you sing?” / “Can you dance?”

    ◦ Ask: “Do you like performing in front of people?”

 

• Student B (future star): You want to be a famous star on TV, but you are nervous.
    ◦ Say you can’t sing or dance.
    ◦ Explain that you love doing magic tricks or telling jokes.
    ◦ Say you don’t like being nervous, but you want to try.

*Teacher Notes*

When students are finished, have them swap roles and repeat. The teacher can also give students the freedom to create their own questions. 

Talking about Hobbies

Listen now

Likes and Dislikes

Listen now

Work and Routine

Listen now

Share

Facebook Youtube Instagram
We keep your data private and share your data only with third parties that make this service possible. Read our Privacy Policy.

More Stories

Prison Break

  • B2
Prison Break

Networking Disaster

  • C2
Networking disaster

Behind Closed Doors

  • C1+
Behind closed doors

Mayor of Few Words

  • C1+
The Reserved Mayor

Stay up to date

Enter your email address to get monthly newsletters and updates on new activities!