Likes and Dislikes

Warm-up: Let's Chat About Likes and Dislikes

3 warm-up questions

• What's something you really love eating?
• Is there any food you really can't stand?
• Do you think your taste in food has changed over the years?

Reading: Food Around the World

Read a 177-word text about Food Around the World

Food Around the World Food is more than just nutrition - it's culture, tradition, and often a source of great pleasure. Our food preferences are shaped by where we grew up, our family traditions, and personal experiences. Some people are adventurous eaters, always eager to try new cuisines and flavors. Others prefer familiar comfort foods that remind them of home. Both approaches are valid! Expressing Likes and Dislikes: English has many ways to express different levels of preference: Strong like: "I love...", "I'm a big fan of...", "I'm really into..." Mild like: "I quite like...", "I enjoy...", "I don't mind..." Mild dislike: "I'm not keen on...", "I'm not a big fan of...", "It's not my thing." Strong dislike: "I can't stand...", "I really dislike...", "I'm not into... at all." Interesting food facts: There are over 200 distinct cuisines worldwide Street food has become a global phenomenon Food trends often reflect cultural changes Dietary choices are increasingly influenced by health and environmental concerns What we eat says a lot about who we are and where we come from.

Vocabulary: Food and Preference Vocabulary

6 items

Practice: Express Your Preferences

Gap-fill exercise, 6 items

• I'm a big ____ of Italian food.
• Spicy food isn't really my ____.
• I can't ____ the taste of raw onions.
• I'm really ____ Thai food at the moment.
• I don't ____ having fish once in a while.
• I'm not ____ on very sweet desserts.

Practice: Match the Strength of Feeling

Matching exercise, 6 items

• I love sushi!
• I quite enjoy pasta.
• I'm not a big fan of olives.
• I can't stand liver.
• I don't mind salad.
• I'm really into Korean food.

Dialogue: Talking About Food Preferences

Role-play: You're meeting a new colleague at a work lunch. Talk about your food preferences. (4 lines)

• So, what kind of food do you usually go for? Talk about your general food preferences using 'like', 'enjoy', or 'I'm a fan of'.
• Are there any types of food you don't like? Express dislikes politely using 'not keen on', 'not my thing', or 'I'd rather not'.
• What about trying something new? Would you be up for that? Express your attitude toward new experiences with food.
• Any suggestions for where the team should go for dinner? Make a suggestion and explain why, using preference language.

Discussion: Discussion Questions

5 discussion questions

• What's your favourite type of cuisine? Tell me why using at least two phrases from today — “I'm really into…”, “I'm a big fan of…”, “I could eat it every day”.
• Is there a famous delicacy from your country that foreign visitors are often not keen on? Would you defend it or admit it's an acquired taste?
• Describe the most unusual food you've ever tried. Was it savoury, sweet, spicy — or just bland?
• What food do you crave when you're tired or stressed — and what is it about that food?
• How important is food in your culture? Are there special dishes for celebrations — and which one are you a big fan of?