This week’s column topic is My slightly unique hobbies, so for anyone studying English, here are some expressions that you can use to talk about your hobbies!

• take up = begin doing s.t.
• get into = become involved in s.t.
• look into = investigate / find more information about s.t.
• sign up (for) = register for s.t.
• be into = be interested in s.t.
• get serious about = try harder at s.t. / use more time or effort for s.t.
• be obsessed with = be unable to stop doing s.t. / always think about s.t.
• give up = quit/stop doing s.t.

Here’s an example:

When I was in high school, I was really into martial arts, so I took up kickboxing. I signed up for lessons at a gym and went once a week. In the beginning, I got tired really quickly, so I got serious about training every day. After a couple of years, I had made a lot of progress. I even joined a few competitions. It was fun, but I gave up kickboxing when I graduated from high school and moved to a new city.

Here’s another example:

I got into playing foosball about nine years ago. My co-worker taught me to play. Soon I started looking into some techniques online and trying to improve my skills. I really wanted to beat my co-worker! For a few years, I was obsessed with it, and I practiced almost every day during my lunch break. When my co-worker quit, I didn’t give up, but I definitely played a lot less.

I hope this will help you to talk about your hobbies in English!

Zach