WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT SUMMER?
Hello, and welcome!
This is the first lesson in the ‘English Summer Vocabulary’ series.
You are going to learn how to talk about summer which is a lovely season, really. Remember that there are 4 main seasons roughly: winter (December, January February), spring (March, April, May), summer (June, July, August) and autumn (September, October, November).
This will be done in 9 Steps. It is recommended that you do 1 Step at a time for excellent results.
Don’t forget to check the meaning of words you’re not familiar with by using a unilingual or bilingual dictionary.
You can also write down any useful information that you find so that you can always go back to it.
Why don’t we start the lesson now? Ready? Let’s do it!
a) What Do You Like About Summer (Step 1): Let’s Describe Summer First Using Adjectives
Summer is one of my favourite seasons because they are so many good things that you can do, see, eat or drink! Just the thought of the sun and all the nice clothes I can wear makes me so happy????????.
I live in Poland where one can see the changes in seasons in a clear way. From September, autumn gets noticed with ochre leaves that gradually fall and leave the tree bare. Snow and biting cold weather make their appearance in winter. We mainly stay indoors and drink hot fluids in order to keep ourselves warm. We are finally delivered from big coats and big boots around March when spring announces itself with fresh leaves on trees. What a magnificent sight this is! June, July and August are hot and lovely because it’s finally summer, hooray! We can finally spend more time outdoors, doing different types of activities and enjoying different types of food and drinks.????????????.
All in all, one mainly notices that people are more joyous and the landscapes are magnificent. It just makes one appreciate life more!
So how can you describe summer???
Examples
- Summer is a pleasant season because the weather is generally warm and people like to do things outside.
- Sometimes the sun can be scorching so it is better to stay in the shade so you don’t get sunburnt.
- Nature is gorgeous in summer. Imagine all the colours you can see during this season!
- It can get stormy in late afternoons because of the heat.
- I like it when it’s sunny all day long in summer. I just can’t get enough of the sun!
Your turn: Make 5 sentences using the Adjectives in the chart. Be creative!
***
Excellent! I am sure you enjoyed describing summer. It’s such a splendid season that most people love.
What about moving on to Step 2 now? This is going to be a fun step because it’s all about the fresh drinks that you can have in summer!????????????????.
b) What Do You Like About Summer (Step 2): The Different Types of Cool Drinks?
One summer, about seven years ago, I took my daughters to play at the park. We had forgotten to take water and that day was really hot. How grateful we were when we arrived home and found a bottle of sparkling water in the freezer! We drank that precious water as if it was made of real diamonds and we were so happy????????.
Therefore, whenever it’s scorching outside, I think of that day and that life-saving glass of sparkling water that delivered us from the heat. Hence, icy sparkling water is my favourite drink in summer and I just can’t have enough of it????!
What about the other drinks we can have in summer? Let’s see how we can talk about them by having a look at the following examples.
Examples:
- Still water is the most common drink in summer. Besides, it is easily available and mostly free.
- Soft drinks such as sodas are also very popular. Coca-Cola or Fanta come to our minds when we think of such cool drinks!
- I like drinking cold cider at the restaurant, especially in France where it’s of excellent quality.
- I don’t like smoothies, which is quite unusual because this drink is loved by many people especially health addicts.
- Chilled rosé wine is best taken in the late afternoon and early evening while enjoying a stunning sunset.
Your turn: What can you say about summer drinks? Make 5 sentences to talk about what you like drinking during summer and what you don’t like drinking. Cheers!
***
Well done! I think you sailed through this step. Did you enjoy it? What about going to Step 3 to see what’s kicking there? Here we go!
c) What Do You Like About Summer? (Step 3): The Different Types of Fresh Fruits?
The other thing I adore about summer is the abundance of fruit. I mean we have different types of these sweet, soft or crunchy things in all sizes and tastes.
The cherry on the pie is that they are not expensive at all considering that you buy fruits in season. Besides, think of all the health benefits you get by eating these little godsent goodies!
It is such a pleasant feeling to take breakfast with a plateful of fresh fruit and the best is when you have plucked them yourself from your garden!
So why don’t we talk about different types of fruit in the following examples?
Examples:
- When I was young, we used to have banana, avocado, peach, lemon, papaya and mango trees in our garden. Just imagine!
- I once tasted dragon fruit when I visited Vietnam. It was so unusual and tasty!
- Pineapples and watermelons are so refreshing in summer. I just love them❤️❤️.
- Children love making lemonade with lemons. It’s so nice to drink this when it’s very hot outside.
- Strawberries and grapes can be expensive but they are worthy every single coin considering their exceptional taste.
Your turn: What is your favourite fruit in summer? Talk about this in 5 sentences. You can also use Adjectives to describe fruit such as tasty, ripe, unripe, exotic, delicious, fresh, fresh-picked, juicy, tangy, healthy, sweet, smooth, soft, mellow, canned, seasonal, plump, expensive, cheap, golden, wonderful, insipid, tasteless, aromatic, dry, wormy, large, tempting, organic, etc.
***
Fantastic! I’m sure that this reminded you of a lot of nice fruits you can eat in summer. What about going to get some this week so that you can make a nice fruit salad? In any case, let’s do Step 4, which is about another summer favourite of mine. Desserts! Ice cream? Are you ready to discover this? Let’s start the sweet ball rolling!
d) What Do You Like About Summer? (Step 4): The Different Types of Delicious Desserts?
Summer isn’t summer without ice cream! On top of that, there are many different ice cream flavours to choose from: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mango, tiramisu, raspberry. caramel lemon, pineapple, orange, pistachio, cherry and peanut butter, etc.
We also have other irresistible desserts to satisfy our sweet tongues and huge appetites. A stroll in the city is always a success if topped with a dessert-hunt.
It’s just so satisfying not to worry about a bikini-perfect body and just enjoy a strawberry pie or a cheesecake.
Why don’t we talk about the other desserts we can eat?
Examples:
- Popsicles are so freshening and energising. They are also healthier than ice cream. Many people love them!
- I wish macaroons were more affordable so that I wouldn’t eat them once in a while????. They are so yummy and creamy!
- I love lychees because they are juicy, sweet and slightly sour.
- I don’t know if I have tasted fudge before but it looks appetising.
- Custard is so nice and easy to prepare. It goes well with other desserts too????????!
Your turn: What desserts do you adore? Do you prefer buying them or making them yourself? Make 5 sentences to give your opinion about desserts.
You can use the following Adjectives to talk about this type of food: tasty, flaky, sweet, tangy, enjoyable, frosty, crumbly, crispy, crunchy, creamy, chewy, baked, divine, appealing, classic, fresh-baked, tart, tempting, enticing, irresistible, silky, smooth, refreshing, satisfying, incredible, savory, perfumed, magical, light, filling, high-calorie, cheap, expensive, affordable, etc.
***
What a fine job you did! Did you like talking about your favourite desserts? I hope you did. Well, why don’t we start Step 5 then. We are going to talk about summer fashion!
e) What Do You Like About Summer? (Step 5): The Unique Clothes and Accessories
In summer, it’s so pleasant to wear single-layered and bright clothes. Furthermore, we get to try out different new styles as fashion designers get more and more creative each year.
I like wearing dresses or skirts during summer because they are light and cool on my skin. I usually make my own clothes or buy them in thrift stores or popular stores such as H&M or Mango.
The best thing about summer fashion is that you know that it isn’t going to last for a long time and you absolutely want to make the best of this season????????????.
What do you like wearing during this hot season? Let’s see how you can talk about this subject using the examples below.
Examples:
- I prefer hats to caps because the former are more stylish and I can easily pair them with dresses.
- Boys like wearing shorts in summer because they feel more comfortable in them. In fact, trousers are just stuffy.
- Short-sleeved shirts are also more practical in summer than long-sleeved shirts.
- I really like spaghetti and tank tops because you feel less hot in them. They are nice to wear with a flowy and flowery skirt.
- Women wear bikinis or swimsuits at the beach or swimming pool. Men wear swimming trunks.
- I don’t really like wearing sunglasses when it’s very sunny outside but I have to because sun rays can damage your eyes. I still want to have perfect eyesight when I’m old.
Your turn: Make 5 sentences in which you talk about your preferred outfits during the summer season. The following Adjectives can come in handy when describing clothes: comfortable, chic, new, store-bought, old, thrifted, cheap, expensive, short, classy, classic, fashionable, conventional, old-fashioned, unconventional, avant-garde, innovative, dull, colourful, bright, bright-coloured, garish, kitsch, stuffy, stiff, swank, single-layered, double-layered, trendy, inspiring, popular, hot, modern, worn-out, unpopular, casual, clean, neat, loose, well-fitting, tight, plain, tattered, etc.
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We’re more than half-way through! Well done for coming so far! Why don’t we move on to Step 6? Let’s talk about summer activities.
f) What Do You Like About Summer? (Step 6): The Awesome Outdoor or Indoor Activities?
In summer we are so lucky because we get to be outdoors more. It’s such a satisfying feeling to feel the sun on one’s face and bare arms.
There are so many activities we can do during this time that do not require a lot of money or equipment. All you need is the desire to do things.
It also very healthy to be physically active in fresh air. However, you can also do a lot of indoor activities such reading or playing board games. It’s up to you to choose the activity that nurtures your body or spirit.
Let’s talk about what you like doing when it’s warm or hot outside.
Examples:
- Basketball is my favourite sporting activity because I have so much fun playing outside on the court with other people????⛹️♀️.
- I’m also into swimming during summer because it’s so refreshing.
- Kids love cycling in the street and they look so happy doing that.
- Men and women enjoy jogging or running in the park. These are very popular activities in the summer.
- I would rather walk in the park than go hiking. It’s so hard!
Your turn: What do you like doing during the summer season? Playing volleyball or visiting friends? Make 5 sentences to talk about this. You can also record yourself if you wish so.
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You are doing a fantastic job. Keep it up! We’ll now quickly go to Step 7 (Already????). Yes, we can do this! Let’s talk about places that you can visit or go to in summer. Any idea?
g) What Do You Like About Summer? (Step 7): The Magnificent Places You Can Visit?
It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t like travelling or going to see different types of places in summer. I mean, this is the time when we usually go on holiday!
Where do usually go in June, July or August if you happen to be in Europe?
Do you prefer secluded or crowded places?
Let’s talk about this!
Examples:
- I usually spend my summer holidays by the lake because it’s cool, beautiful and it’s easy to get there.
- Seaside holidays are fun, especially for kids because they like swimming in the sea.
- I know someone who goes to the skateboard park every single day when it’s not raining outside so that he can practise skateboarding.
- Shopping is one of my favourite activities and I like going to shopping malls during summer because there are a lot of sales there.
- I have only seen a small waterfall in Malawi but I would like to visit the famous Victoria Falls.
Your turn: Where do you like going in summer then? Make 5 sentences to talk about those awesome places! You can also use the following Adjectives to describe those places: famous, unique, vibrant, interesting, remote, deserted, beautiful, calm, magnificent, bustling, incredible, well-developed, under-developed, amazing, touristy, accessible, quaint, polluted, unpolluted, clean, welcoming, warm, soulful, wild, traditional, busy, decrepit, luxurious, poor, etc
***
Sensational and keep rocking! You’ve already finished this step! Let’s tackle Step 8 like nobody’s business then. Ready, steady, go!
h) What Do You Like About Summer? (Step 8): The Lovely Flowers That Colour Our Landscapes?
What a beautiful sight gardens are in summer! Just think of all those fragrant and lovely flowers that perfume our world!
It is such an invigorating experience to walk in the wild and spot different types of flowers in bloom. Sometimes we want to make a bouquet out of them but most of the times we leave them there so that other people can enjoy them too????????????.
Do you like gardening or do you know someone who likes gardening? What flowers make your heart beat when you see them? Which flowers do you stare at for ages when you encounter them?
Let’s talk about our lovely flowers ✨✨✨.
Examples:
- I love roses but they are not easy to grow.
- Gardens are such a spectacular sight in summer. You can actually admire lilies, sunflowers or peonies.
- Hydrangeas are not difficult to grow but make sure that you do not give them a lot of water.
- Daisies are so dainty :-).
- Lavenders give out such a pleasant aroma and they help to ward off mosquitoes too.
Your turn: Do you have green fingers? If so, what flowers are the apple of your eye? Make 5 sentences in which you talk about your passion. If you don’t have a green thumb, that’s all right too. You might just like seeing flowers like most people. Say what you like or don’t like about flowers.
You can use the following Adjectives to describe different types of flowers: wild, delicate, fragrant, splendid, magnificent, lovely, pleasant, pink, yellow, white, blue, purple, leafy, decorative, fragile, precious, exquisite, bright, perfect, fresh, exotic, radiant, untarnished, stunning, tropical, withered, golden, crimson, rare, ethereal, dainty, pleasant, etc.
***
Oh, my. Flowers are just lovely to look at. How were your sentences? Did this exercise make you want to start gardening right away. Lovely! How about going to Step 9 to see the last exercise you have to or want to do. Here we go!
i) What Do You Like About Summer? (Step 9): What About All the Random Things You Can Do or See?
There are other things about summer that we can randomly talk about. Why not play the following game and see what immediate comes to your mind when it we talk about summer?
Give the name 3 objects that make you think of summer: beach towel, sunscreen and flip-flops.
Name 3 events that remind you of summer: weddings, open-air concerts and music festivals.
Give the name of 3 places that you usually see in summer: airport, train station and museum.
What about talking about other miscellaneous things you can experience during summer?
Examples:
- Smog is a common phenomenon when it’s hot outside. Breathing is especially hard for asthmatic people and those who are allergic to pollen.
- I like going to braai parties or other summer parties. They’re so much fun!
- My daughter put on sunscreen all year long even when it’s not summer. It makes my skin smooth.
- Beach towels should preferable be long, large and unicoloured.
- Summer evenings are usually filled with a lot of laughter from children and adults alike.
Your turn: What words come to your mind when you think about summer. Make 5 sentences to talk about them. Be as creative as you can and good luck to you!
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Well, Step 9 marks the end of the lesson. Congratulations for making it! What was your favourite step and why?
Remember that this was the first lesson in the ‘Summer Vocabulary’ lessons. Therefore, more stuff is coming your way.
Don’t forget to review your notes so you don’t forget what you have learnt.
Thank you for your presence and have an awesome day!
Until next time!
Take care!
Further Exploration:
Download Worksheets:
- English Summer Vocabulary: Lesson 1-What Do You Like About Summer, Learn English With Africa, June 2021
- Summer Vocabulary (Part 1), Learn English With Africa, June 2021
Read:
- Happy Holidays! What Are You Doing This Summer? (with Vocabulary for Talking about Holidays)
- Welcome Back! How Were Your Holidays? (with Adjectives and the Simple Past Tense)
Watch: Short Story: A Party in the Savannah, Level A1-A2