Speaking: Functional Language A2
Talking About Likes & Dislikes
Listen to the dialogue and examples here.
Conversation Scenario 💬 (Click 🔊)
When you get to know someone, you often talk about hobbies. Using different phrases to describe your feelings makes the conversation more interesting.
Your Functional Toolkit: The Scale of Preference (Click 🔊)
Don't just say "I like" or "I don't like". Use this scale to show how you really feel.
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😍I love... / I'm a big fan of...For something you like very, very much.
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😊I like... / I enjoy...A standard phrase for something you like.
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😐It's okay. / I don't mind...For a neutral feeling (not like or dislike).
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😒I don't really like... / I'm not a big fan of...A soft, polite way to say you don't like something.
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😠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 (gerund).
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 (Self-Check)
Change the verb in parentheses to the correct form (-ing). Click "Show Answer" to check.
- I love (listen) to music.
Show Answer
listening
- She doesn't like (get up) early.
Show Answer
getting up
- Do you enjoy (learn) English?
Show Answer
learning
- He can't stand (be) late.
Show Answer
being
Activity 2: What's Your Opinion?
Work with a partner or think about your answers. Ask/Answer opinions 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 Time when you are not working; an activity you do for fun.
- Prefer To like one thing more than another.
- Neutral 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...".