English Learning Content for Beginners: Talking About Sports

Dialogue

Alice: Hey Bob, what are you up to today?

Bob: Hi Alice! Just thinking about trying to be more active. You always seem so energetic!

Alice: Oh, really? That’s great! Do you play any sports?

Bob: Well… I try to play soccer sometimes. Mostly, the ball tries to get away from me.

Alice: Haha! I can imagine! I love playing tennis. It’s so fast-paced!

Bob: Tennis? Wow! Do you play often?

Alice: Yes, almost every weekend. It’s a fantastic workout. What about watching sports? Do you have a favorite team?

Bob: Watching? Oh, absolutely! I’m a huge fan of basketball. My favorite team is the “City Hoppers.” They’re amazing!

Alice: The City Hoppers! They are good! I watched their last game. What about individual sports, like swimming or running?

Bob: Swimming… I can swim, but I’m more of a ‘float and relax’ kind of swimmer, not a ‘race to the finish’ kind. Running? Only if something is chasing me!

Alice: You’re hilarious! Maybe we should try badminton sometime. It’s fun and not too intense.

Bob: Badminton? Sounds… less likely to involve a hospital visit. I’m in! But you’ll have to teach me. I’m terrible at hand-eye coordination.

Alice: No worries! It’s all about having fun. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor sports?

Bob: Definitely indoor. Less chance of sunburn… or losing the shuttlecock in a giant bush. What about you?

Alice: Both! As long as I’m moving. Okay, let’s plan that badminton game soon!

Current Situation

Talking about sports is a very common and natural way to start a conversation, make new friends, and learn about other cultures. Many people around the world love sports, whether it’s playing them, watching them, or simply discussing their favorite teams and athletes. For English learners, it’s a great topic because it uses a lot of everyday vocabulary and allows you to practice asking and answering questions about hobbies, preferences, and routines.

Key Phrases

• What are you up to?: A common, informal way to ask what someone is doing or planning.

  Example: “Hey, what are you up to this evening?”

• Do you play any sports?: A direct way to ask about someone’s sports activities.

  Example: “Do you play any sports, like basketball or soccer?”

• I love playing [sport]: Expressing strong enjoyment for a sport.

  Example: “I love playing volleyball on the beach.”

• I’m a huge fan of [sport/team]: Showing strong support or interest in a sport or a specific team.

  Example: “I’m a huge fan of the national soccer team.”

• Sounds good! / Sounds fun! / Sounds [adjective]!: A common way to respond positively to a suggestion or idea.

  Example: “Let’s go for coffee. Sounds good!”

• I’m in!: An informal way to say you agree to join or participate in something.

  Example: “They’re going bowling tonight. Want to come? I’m in!”

• No worries!: An informal way to say “don’t worry” or “it’s okay.”

  Example: “Sorry I’m late! No worries, we just started.”

Grammar Points

1. Simple Present Tense for Habits and Routines

We use the simple present tense to talk about things we do regularly, habits, or general truths. This is perfect for discussing sports activities.

• Structure: Subject + Base Form of Verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it)
• Examples from dialogue:
  • “Do you play any sports?” (Asking about a regular activity)
  • “I love playing tennis.” (Expressing a regular enjoyment)
  • “I watch their last game.” (Describing a past event that is part of a routine or recent habit)
  • “It is a fantastic workout.” (A general truth)

2. Verbs “Play,” “Go,” “Do” with Sports

Different verbs are used with different types of sports:

• Play: Used with team sports, ball sports, and competitive games.

  Examples: play soccer, play tennis, play basketball, play badminton, play chess.

• Go: Used with activities that end in -ing, often individual sports or activities.

  Examples: go swimming, go running, go cycling, go hiking, go fishing.

• Do: Used with individual sports, martial arts, or non-ball activities.

  Examples: do yoga, do karate, do gymnastics, do aerobics.

3. Verbs followed by -ing (Gerunds)

After certain verbs that express feelings or preferences (like, love, enjoy, hate), we often use the -ing form of another verb (a gerund).

• Structure: Verb (like, love, enjoy, hate) + Verb-ing
• Examples from dialogue:
  • “I love playing tennis.”
  • “I enjoy watching basketball.”

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the correct verb (play, go, do)

1. I like to ____ swimming on hot days.
2. My sister ____ tennis every Tuesday.
3. He wants to ____ yoga to relax.
4. Do you ____ soccer with your friends?
5. Let’s ____ running in the park.

Exercise 2: Match the phrase with its meaning

1. What are you up to?
2. I’m a huge fan.
3. No worries!

• a) Don’t worry, it’s okay.
• b) I really like something.
• c) What are you doing?

Exercise 3: Answer the questions about the dialogue

1. What sport does Alice love playing?
2. What sport is Bob a huge fan of watching?
3. What sport do Alice and Bob agree to try together?

Exercise 4: Complete the sentences using a phrase from the box

Use: I’m in!, Sounds good!, No worries!

1. A: Do you want to try badminton with me? B: ____!
2. A: I’m sorry I’m late. B: ____, we just started.
3. A: Let’s go to the park later. B: ____!

Answers

Exercise 1:

Exercise 2:

Exercise 3:

Exercise 4: