Speaking: Functional Language A2 - Lesson 5: Talking About Likes & Dislikes

Speaking: Functional Language A2

Talking About Likes & Dislikes

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use a range of phrases to express different levels of likes and dislikes, from "love" to "can't stand".

Conversation Scenario 💬

When you get to know someone, you often talk about hobbies. Using different phrases to describe your feelings makes the conversation more interesting.

Rithy: What do you like to do in your free time, Sophea?

Sophea: Well, I'm a big fan of playing football. I play every weekend. How about you?

Rithy: I'm not a big fan of sports. I prefer reading books.

Sophea: Oh, nice. What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

Rithy: I love mystery stories.

Sophea: Cool. Do you like watching movies?

Rithy: It's okay, but I can't stand horror movies! They're too scary.

Your Functional Toolkit: The Scale of Preference

Don't just say "I like" or "I don't like". Use this scale to show how you really feel.

• 😍
  I love... / I'm a big fan of...

  For something you like very, very much.
• 😊
  I like... / I enjoy...

  A standard phrase for something you like.
• 😐
  It's okay. / I don't mind...

  For a neutral feeling (not like or dislike).
• 😒
  I don't really like... / I'm not a big fan of...

  A soft, polite way to say you don't like something.
• 😠
  I hate... / I can't stand...

  A strong phrase for something you dislike very much.

Grammar & Pronunciation Tips

🗣️ Pronunciation: Stress and Emphasis

To show your strong feelings, you must put strong stress on the key word.

• "I LOVE spicy food." (Stress LOVE for a very positive feeling).
• "I CAN'T STAND the traffic." (Stress CAN'T STAND for a very negative feeling).

💡 Grammar: Using Verbs after Preference Phrases

This is a very important rule! After these preference phrases, if you use another verb, it must be in the -ing form.

Formula: [Preference Phrase] + [verb-ing]

• I like watching movies. (NOT: I like watch movies)
• I enjoy reading books.
• I hate waiting in long lines.
• She doesn't mind cooking dinner.

Practice Your Preferences 🎯

Activity 1: Correct the Verb

Change the verb in parentheses to the correct form (-ing).

1. I love (listen) to music. → listening
2. She doesn't like (get up) early. → getting up
3. Do you enjoy (learn) English? → learning
4. He can't stand (be) late. → being

Activity 2: What's Your Opinion?

Work with a partner. Ask for their opinion on these topics. Use a different phrase from the "Scale of Preference" for each answer.

Topics: durian, rainy season in Cambodia, horror movies, getting up at 5 AM.

Example:
A: "What do you think about durian?"
B: "I'm a big fan of durian! I love it."

Key Vocabulary

• Free time / Hobby (Noun) | ពេលទំនេរ / งานอดิเรก
  Time when you are not working; an activity you do for fun.
• Prefer (Verb) | Предпочитаю
  To like one thing more than another.
• Neutral (Adjective) | Nøytral
  Not having a strong feeling one way or the other.

Your Functional Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to express your opinion clearly. Don't just say "I like" or "I don't like." Use a different phrase from this lesson, like "I'm a big fan of..." or "I don't mind..." or "I can't stand...".