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Welcome to our Daily English Listening Practice with this week’s series:

Free Time Vocabulary

Hopefully there’s lots going on in your local neighbourhood, and you enjoy all of it! In Day 5 we talk about exploring local cultural scenes, food and drink, and turning your hobby into a side-job, or even a career.

Please listen to the audio files for explanations.
Transcripts unavailable.

Notes from the Audio Files

Into a ______ scene

• Music, social, arts scene
• Small gigs: small concerts
• Invested: you support something with your time, effort or money

How to use it:
“I’m really into the local music scene. I go to a different venue every night, listen to the bands and write reviews on my blog.”
“We’ve got a great local brew scene, lots of craft beers and brew bars that are top notch.”

A Foodie

• For the sake of loving food: loving food, just because they can
• Snobby: someone who acts  like they’re better than another person
• Exclusive club: special club
• Checking out restaurants: visiting and trying out restaurants

How to use it:
“Everyone in Chicago is a total foodie! I understand why though, there is amazing food everywhere!”
“Anyone with an Instagram account considers themselves a foodie nowadays, me included.”

Craft Beer

• Craft beer: specialized beer made in small batches
• Breweries: the place beer is made
• Import: bring it in from another country
• Beer nerds: some people who love beer
• Mini culture: a small, similarly-minded group of people
• Release something new: Release a new beer to the public
• Being into your local craft brew scene: Following and supporting your local breweries  

How to use it:
“I’m really into craft breweries – I even have an app on my phone so I can review every single beer I drink, it’s awesome!”
“I’m not really sure if I prefer craft beer or wine tastings more, but I wish there was a word for people who enjoy going out for a drink.”

Sports-buff / History-buff

• It refers to
• Soaking up all these facts
• The stats
• Stats-heavy
• Fancy themselves
• Amateur historian

How to use it:
“I’m a bit of a World War 2 buff. I’ve been to all of the big museums all over the country and I read any book I can find on the subject too.”
“He’s such a sports buff, as him any question about baseball, and you’ll be in for a 10 minute conversation about stats and bio’s.”

Amateur photographer / writer

• “Don’t quit your day job” – your hobby may not be enough to make you money, sometimes said sarcastically if someone is bad at their hobby
• Full-time: Your main job or source of income
• Turning a hobby into a profession: Eventually turning your hobby into a career

How to use it:
“I’ve photographed a few weddings, just for friends and family. I enjoy just being an amateur photographer.”
“I’ve been looking to go pro, but my coach said I’m not quite ready, yet.”

You’re probably going to be an English buff by now – you’ve finished this week’s vocab! If you’re still unsure about any of the these new phrases, ask us in the comments below!

Thanks,

Kat and Mark