What if practising English could be as simple as just doing the things you love the most?
One of the most effective ways to master a new language is by making it a part of your everyday life, and what better way to do that than through your hobbies?
Learning English doesn’t have to be confined to grammar drills or memorising vocabulary lists.
By incorporating English into the activities you already love, you can build your skills in a fun, practical, and natural way. Whether you’re a foodie, sports enthusiast, music lover, fitness buff, or travel addict, there are countless opportunities to immerse yourself in English without even realising you're learning.
Exposure and engagement are key to successful language learning, and hobbies offer the perfect blend of both.
Connecting language practice with something you’re genuinely passionate about doesn’t feel like work. Plus, you'll be motivated to keep at it, which is essential for long-term success.
In this blog, we'll explore five popular hobbies and how you can use each one to improve your English. From following celebrity chefs to listening to sports podcasts, you’ll find practical tips and resources to help you integrate English into your daily routine.
So, let's explore the many ways you can turn your passions into powerful language practice tools!
Five hobbies to help improve your English
1. Food and Cooking
Like me, are you someone who loves experimenting in the kitchen? Then you’re in luck! Food and cooking provide an excellent opportunity to learn English in a relaxed, enjoyable environment. Here’s how:
Follow Celebrity Chefs: Chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, and Nigella Lawson are not just famous for their cooking skills but also their engaging content. Follow them on social media or their official websites to get regular doses of new recipes, cooking tips, and kitchen vocabulary.
Watch Cooking Shows: TV shows like "The Great British Bake Off," "MasterChef," and "Nadiya's Time to Eat" are fantastic resources. They not only showcase delicious recipes but also introduce you to different accents and conversational English in a natural context.
Listen to Food Podcasts: Tune in to podcasts like "Off Menu" with Ed Gamble and James Acaster or "The Sporkful." These shows often feature guest chefs and food enthusiasts who discuss everything from unique recipes to the cultural aspects of food. Listening to these will improve your comprehension skills while expanding your food-related vocabulary.
Read Cookbooks: Get your hands on cookbooks written by English-speaking chefs. As you follow their recipes, you’ll pick up new words and phrases related to ingredients, techniques, and cooking equipment. Try starting with some classic titles like "5 Ingredients" by Jamie Oliver.
Visit Markets: If you live in an English-speaking area, visit well-known food markets like Borough Market in London. Engaging with stallholders, asking about ingredients, and even making small talk can be an excellent way to practise speaking in real-life scenarios.
Farmer’s markets are a great way to support local producers, buy food grown in your local area and find unusual varieties of vegetables. Search online to find ones in your area.
As you may know, I’m a bit of a foodie, so if you have a recommendation of a good recipe, celebrity chef or cookbook, I’d love to hear from you!
2. Sport
If you’re a sports enthusiast, there are plenty of ways to use your passion to enhance your English skills. Here’s how you can get started:
Participate in Local Sports: Join a local sports team or visit sports venues. Not only will this provide you with a community to practise speaking English, but you’ll also learn the specific language used in sports activities. And most sports clubs have great social opportunities, making it easy to meet new people.
Watch Sports Shows: Watching programmes like "Match of the Day" for football or "Top Gear" for motorsport gives you the chance to listen to lively commentary, discussions, and interviews. Not only will you learn sports-specific vocabulary, but you’ll also get exposed to different styles of spoken English.
My students used to book a large table in a local pub, try some traditional food and watch the big Premier League games together.
One group surprised me by organising a group night when my team Tottenham reached the Champions League final a few years ago. Although the game didn’t finish as I wanted, it was lovely to see the students all together, knowing they’d made a reservation and arranged all the details so that we could enjoy the experience together. It’s something I’ll always remember.
Listen to Sports Podcasts: "Football Weekly" by The Guardian or "Tailenders" for cricket fans are great choices for those who want to keep up with the latest sports news while learning English. Listening to podcasts is an excellent way to practise your listening skills, and you'll naturally pick up idioms and expressions used in the world of sports.
Read Sports Magazines and Websites: Reading match reports, athlete interviews, and articles on sports websites like BBC Sport or magazines like *FourFourTwo* is another effective way to expand your vocabulary. Try to make it a habit to read about your favourite teams or athletes in English.
3. Music
Music is a universal language, and it's a fantastic tool for learning English. Here’s how you can make music a key part of your language learning journey:
Listen to Music: Find songs by English-speaking artists that you enjoy. Websites like Genius provide lyrics and their meanings, helping you understand the language used in different songs. Pay attention to how phrases are used in the lyrics to learn new expressions and slang.
Explore Music Podcasts: "Song Exploder" is an excellent podcast where musicians break down their songs, giving insight into the lyrics and the creative process. Listening to this kind of content helps you understand conversational English in an informal setting.
Follow Artists on Social Media: Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are great for following your favourite artists. They often share stories, behind-the-scenes content, and interviews, providing a steady stream of authentic, everyday English.
Sing Along: Karaoke apps such as Smule allow you to sing along to your favourite songs. This not only makes learning fun but also helps you practise pronunciation and intonation, giving you more confidence in your speaking skills. If you want to connect with people, search for mass karaoke events, where you can enjoy the safety of being in a group and still sing along to your favourite songs.
This tip is close to my heart, as I’m lucky enough to have a monthly event near me, Dumpster Choir. Two talented and friendly musicians lead whoever is in the bar, songbooks are provided and you can go with a group or by yourself, these events are generally very friendly and welcoming. Singing is proven to make you feel great! And the best bit? You don’t need to be a good singer.
4. Exercise - at Home, in Nature or in the Gym
If you’re into fitness, use your workout routines as an opportunity to practise English:
Watch Workout Videos: YouTube channels like ‘FitnessBlender’ and ‘Yoga with Adriene’, offer a wide range of workout routines, with instructions provided in English. By following along, you’ll not only stay fit but also learn exercise-related vocabulary and phrases.
I can personally recommend Team Body Project, an online library of workouts, from boxing to pilates, for every fitness level. I started using their workouts during Covid and loved their friendly chatter and inclusive approach. Moving your body is a privilege and something that should be part of daily life.
Listen to Fitness Podcasts: Tune in to shows like "The Mind Pump" or "The Rich Roll Podcast." These podcasts discuss topics related to fitness, health, and motivation, providing you with both general and specific vocabulary used in the world of exercise.
I regularly recommend Dr Chatterjee’s podcast, ‘Feel Better, Live More’ to my students. It’s one of the most popular podcasts around and his guests cover every possible aspect of health and wellbeing.
Read Fitness Blogs: Fitness websites and magazines such as ‘Men's Health’ or ‘Women's Health’ are packed with articles on nutrition, workout routines, and wellness tips. Reading these regularly will enhance your understanding of health-related English terminology.
Join Fitness Classes: Consider joining fitness classes where the instructors speak English. Whether it’s a yoga session, a Zumba class, or a spinning workout, you’ll get to hear and follow instructions in English, which can be an excellent way to practise both listening and responding in a supportive environment.
5. Travel
For those who love to explore new places, like I do, travelling offers a wealth of opportunities to practise English:
Plan Your Trip Using English Resources: Use English travel websites like Lonely Planet or TripAdvisor to plan your trips. Reading reviews, itineraries, and guides will help you pick up travel-related vocabulary.
Watch Travel Shows: Tune into travel documentaries and shows like "Travel Man" or "Expedition Unknown." They offer a mix of cultural insights and everyday conversation, helping you understand accents, idioms, and regional dialects.
Interact with Locals: When visiting English-speaking countries or tourist areas, take every chance to converse with locals, whether it's asking for directions, ordering food, or chatting about the best places to visit.
Keep a Travel Journal: Document your trips in a travel journal, writing in English. Reflect on your experiences, the people you meet, and the sights you see. This practice not only improves your writing skills but also helps reinforce new vocabulary.
I recently tried my Spanish while on holiday in Andalusia and it felt great when I was understood! I try to practise what I preach because I know it’s the best way to improve confidence and learn by doing. In my experience, when I overcome my nerves and try, the locals are really friendly and appreciate that I’ve tried, even if my pronunciation still needs work!
Other hobbies
If the activities we've highlighted are not your cup of tea, here's a list of some other popular hobbies to inspire you:
Reading – Enjoying books, articles, or audiobooks.
Gardening – Growing flowers, vegetables, or maintaining a beautiful outdoor space.
Photography – Capturing moments with a camera or smartphone.
Art and Crafting – Painting, drawing, knitting, or creating DIY projects.
Writing – Blogging, journaling, or creative writing.
Gaming – Video games, board games, or role-playing games.
Hiking – Exploring nature and walking trails.
DIY/Home Improvement – Renovating, decorating, or building furniture.
Volunteering – Helping out in the community or supporting charities.
Collecting – Stamps, coins, action figures, or other collectables.
Dancing - Joining a class, getting fit and being part of a group.
Whatever your favourite hobby there's a group out there for you.
Fun... and effective
Learning English through your hobbies is not just fun—it’s incredibly effective! By incorporating English into the activities you already love, you’re making language practice a natural part of your daily life.
Whether you’re following a new recipe, tuning into a sports podcast, singing your heart out, or hitting the gym, you’re actively building your language skills. So why not start today?
Embrace the idea of learning English through your passions, and watch your skills grow effortlessly.
What hobbies are you going to use to improve your English?
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Your Author: Zoe Ford
Zoe is a CELTA-qualified EFL teacher and Ex-Director of Studies at a prestigious private language school in London. She has been teaching English to adults for over 10 years and has helped hundreds of students to reach their learning goals.
When Zoe isn't teaching you can find her experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and watching the new series of Masterchef the Professionals. She also loves sport, travelling, and sharing her passion for learning with others.
