1. Do you enjoy activities with others or would you rather be off on your own doing something?
2. Do activities sometimes become hobbies, and when do they become a hobby?
Interests can become hobbies. The most popular hobby group is doing or experiencing things. It includes a wide variety of activities, from travel to swimming, hiking, biking, camping, team sports, gardening, dancing, playing music, board games, cards, and competitions. Today many people like to play computer games and “chat” with other people in the world on computers.
Making things includes drawing, painting, sculptures, handicrafts, stitching, or needlework. It can include writing poems, stories, and other creative efforts like cooking. Two famous hobby painters were President Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill. Some hobbyists write music or play musical instruments.
Collecting things fascinates many people; stamps, coins, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, recipes, almost anything can become a collectable. There is much to be learned when one collects things. In the past, public auctions were frequented by those collecting. Today, going to “flea markets”-yard and moving sales has become a weekend pastime for many Americans hunting for additions to their collections. Some collections have little real value to others, while some become so large and so valuable that they are housed in museums and galleries. Many world-famous collections started in a small way. Those who have a good source of funds may collect rare things such as paintings, books, and art objects; often these private collections are given to museums, libraries and public galleries (philanthropy) so others may find pleasure in them.
Learning languages, learning about your collectables, or learning itself, can become a hobby. Reading adds to our knowledge; it can be an exciting aspect of leisure activities and hobbies.
Actually, life is great and many-sided, and you can make a hobby out of the most insignificant thing, with a little imagination. It will definitely help you have a positive thinking and a proactive attitude to life.
Discuss the following:
1. Describe the activities and hobbies which require a great deal of time, money, or creativity.
2. If you are a collector, where could you go to obtain pieces for your collection?
3. Describe activities or hobbies you enjoy and how you started doing these activities.
4. Do you know anyone who plays/sings in a musical/choral group?
5. Do you play computer games, do you "chat" on the computer. Why or why not?
6. What other (famous) collections do you know?
