Modules
IN THIS LESSON
In this section, we will explore what American high school students like to do in their free time. From playing sports to hanging out with friends, you'll learn about the activities that are popular among teenagers in the United States.
Sports and Physical Activities
Many American high school students are involved in sports. Schools often have teams for different sports, and participating in these teams is a big part of school life. What is interesting about American sports is that although all sports competitions are considered “games”, there are some sports that use specific terminology other than “game”.
Here are some popular sports among teenagers:
Tennis: Tennis is a popular sport among American teenagers. Many schools have tennis courts, and students either play for fun or compete on school teams. As a sidenote, tennis happens to be my favorite sport and I play year round.
Example: "I’m on the tennis team at my school. I practice a few times a week and play matches against other students from other schools. Tennis is a great way to stay fit, and it helps me focus."
A “match” is a game of tennis.
Correct: “Let’s play a game of tennis.”
Incorrect: “Let’s play a tennis game.”
Football (American style): One of the most popular sports in the U.S. is American football. Students who are on the football team practice several days a week and play games on weekends. It’s a major event, especially during the fall season.
Example: "I play on my high school’s football team. Practice is every afternoon after school, and we have games on Friday nights. It’s a lot of work, but I love being part of the team."
In football, we use the word “game” as in “football game”- as opposed to what we use for tennis which is “tennis match”.
Basketball: Basketball is another popular sport, especially during the winter. Many students enjoy playing it casually with friends or on school teams.
Example: "I love playing basketball with my friends after school. We usually play in the gym, and on weekends, we watch NBA games together."
Baseball: Baseball is known as "America's pastime" and is a sport that many students enjoy playing, either casually or on school teams. The season usually runs in the spring, and it involves batting, running bases, and fielding.
Example: "I play on my high school’s baseball team. We practice after school, and I love playing outfield. It's fun being part of the team, and we get to travel for games."
Track and Field: Many students participate in running events, such as sprints or long-distance running, and field events like long jump or high jump.
Example: "I run track for my school, and I compete in the 100-meter dash. It’s a great way to stay in shape and meet new people."
· Cross Country: Cross country is a long distance running sport, typically a 5k (3.1 miles) distance. Practice involves understanding one’s pace and how to maintain endurance.
· Swimming: Swimming is typically held in the winter time, depending on the region, where practice and competition are always in a pool and not in open waters.
Correct terminology for describing a specific sport:
Tennis match
Football game
Basketball game
Baseball game
Track and Field meet
Cross Country meet
Swim meet
Music and Arts
American high school students often engage in artistic activities, such as playing an instrument, singing in a choir, or creating visual art. Many schools offer clubs or classes that allow students to explore their artistic talents.
Playing in a Band: Many schools have marching bands or concert bands. Students who play instruments like the trumpet, drums, or saxophone are often involved in these groups.
Example: "I play the trumpet in my school’s band. We perform at football games and school events. Music is a big part of my life, and I enjoy practicing with my friends."
Choir: Students who enjoy singing often join the school choir, where they perform at concerts or special events.
Example: "I’m in the choir, and we practice after school for our concerts. I love singing with my friends and performing in front of the whole school."
Visual Arts: Some students enjoy painting, drawing, or digital art. Many schools have art classes where students can explore different techniques.
Example: "I take art classes at school, and I enjoy drawing portraits. I spend a lot of my free time sketching or painting with my classmates."
Hanging Out with Friends
Spending time with friends is a big part of American teenage life. After school and on weekends, students often get together to hang out, relax, or do activities together.
Going to the Mall: In many parts of the U.S., teenagers like to meet up at shopping malls. They might go shopping, watch a movie, or just hang out at the food court.
Example: "On weekends, my friends and I like to go to the mall. We walk around, get food, and sometimes go to the movies. It’s a fun way to spend time together."
Playing Video Games: Video games are very popular among American teenagers. Many students spend their free time playing games like Fortnite, Minecraft, or Call of Duty, either alone or with friends online.
Example: "I play video games with my friends after school. We play online and talk to each other through headsets. It’s a cool way to hang out even when we’re not in the same place."
Watching Movies or TV Shows: Streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ are very popular among American teens, who often binge-watch their favorite shows or movies with friends or family.
Example: "On Saturday nights, my friends and I get together and watch movies on Netflix. Sometimes we stay up late watching a whole series!"
Social Media and Online Activities
American teenagers spend a lot of time online, connecting with friends and following trends through social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
Using TikTok: Many American teens love making short videos on TikTok, sharing them with friends or participating in viral trends.
Example: "I like making TikTok videos with my friends. We try new dance trends or funny challenges and share them online. It’s a fun way to be creative."
Instagram and Snapchat: Instagram is popular for sharing photos and keeping up with friends, while Snapchat is often used to send quick messages or pictures.
Example: "I use Instagram to post pictures of my day and follow my favorite celebrities. Snapchat is great for sending funny photos to my friends during the day."
Clubs and Extracurricular Activities
Many high school students in the U.S. are involved in clubs or extracurricular activities that match their interests.
Love of Language Club: This club is for students who are passionate about learning new languages and exploring different cultures. Members of the Love of Language Club meet regularly to practice languages, learn about cultural traditions, and even discuss foreign films or books. Some students in the club are learning Spanish, French, or Mandarin, while others might be interested in lesser-known languages.
Example: "I joined the Love of Language Club at my school because I love learning new languages. We practice speaking in different languages, watch international films, and sometimes invite guest speakers who teach us about their cultures. It’s helped me improve my language skills and learn more about the world."
Drama Club: Some students love acting and join the drama club to perform in school plays or musicals.
Example: "I’m part of the drama club, and we’re working on our next play. I love acting and being on stage."
Debate Club: Students who enjoy discussing ideas and practicing public speaking often join the debate club, where they compete in debates with other schools.
Example: "I’m on the debate team at my school. We have competitions where we argue different topics, and it’s helped me become more confident in speaking."
Science Club: Students interested in science may join clubs where they do experiments or participate in competitions.
Example: "I’m in the science club, and we’re building a robot for a competition. It’s a fun way to learn new things and work as a team."
Homework and Studying
Although American teenagers enjoy spending time with friends and participating in activities, they also have to balance their schoolwork.
Homework: Many students spend their evenings doing homework or studying for tests. Some subjects, like math and science, often require extra time.
Example: "After school, I usually do my homework for about two hours. I like to study in the library where it’s quiet."
Group Projects: American students often work on group projects with their classmates, either in person or online.
Example: "My friends and I are working on a group project for history class. We meet online to discuss our ideas and finish the project together."
