Leisure and spare time activities How do people in the UK spend their spare time?

People in the UK said they did these during the year: (2007/2008) Activity % Watching television 85 Spending time with friends/family 80 Listening to music 72 Shopping 66 Reading 65 Eating out at restaurants 63 Days out 61 Internet/emailing 59 Sport/exercise 51 Gardening 47 Going to pubs/bars/clubs 45 Going to the cinema 42

‘Top ten active sports: by gender, 2007/08 in England Men % Women Indoor swimming or diving 28 35 Snooker, pool, billiards 23 Health, fitness, gym or conditioning activities 22   Cycling 21 Keep fit, aerobics and dance exercise 16 Outdoor swimming or diving 14 Outdoor football 20 Tenpin bowling 13 Golf, pitch and putt, putting 18 Jogging 8 15 7 Darts 12 Badminton Yoga 6

What do you do in your spare time? Survey those in your group about what they normally do if/when they have free time. Each group will report back on one person in their group and tell us about the most interesting free time activity that you heard about. You need to listen and remember!

Two popular sporting activities Playing cricket Walking with friends

Time spent using the media Watching television is very popular. Using the internet is increasingly popular. Listening to music is very popular. Downloads are replacing CDs. Many people watch films on DVD. More people are going to the cinema, especially younger people. Some people enjoy listening to the radio. The sale of newspapers is declining. Reading for pleasure is popular and some people borrow books from public libraries.

The Arts Some people join choirs or perform music in groups or orchestras. Painting and crafts are popular spare-time activities. Drama is another popular activity. Others go to the theatre, attend concerts and visit art galleries and museums.

Bracknell Choral Society

Participation in education Some people take courses which will help them with their careers. Learning languages is popular; people may learn a language because they are planning a foreign holiday. Painting and crafts are popular classes. Some people take courses in subjects that interest them, such as history and literature.

Gardening Many people live in houses with gardens. Many people enjoy working in their gardens, growing flowers and vegetables. Some people have allotments where they grow vegetables. Some gardeners join gardening clubs. Radio and television programmes about gardening are popular. People enjoy visiting gardens that are open for the public to visit.

Gardens and gardening

Cooking and food Some people enjoy cooking interesting dishes and making cakes. There is a great interest in food from around the world. Eating out is popular. Often people choose to eat Italian, Indian or Chinese food. There are many programmes about cookery on television and some people collect cookery books.

Cooking and eating out

Religion, politics and volunteering Some people take part in activities linked to their religious affiliation. Some people are active in political parties or trade unions. Others take part in volunteering, to help others or look after the environment.

Fishing – a hobby or a sport?

Morris dancing – a more unusual spare-time activity

What would you like to do? If you had more time, what would you like to do and why? Ask a few others they would like to do if they had more free time. Find out why they would like to do what they have told you.

Things that I enjoy doing Going to the Gym Cycling Walking Photography Playing Golf Travelling Reading Watching television/movies Going to the Theatre Eating and drinking out Involved in my local church Some “extreme sports”

What Chinese Hobby would you recommend for me? In groups, list three hobbies or pastimes to recommend to me, choose the best one. Why would it be good for me?