Skip to main content

Academic English

“Garden Secrets”

See Listening Script
Back to Academic English
Level: Topic: Speakers: Length:
difficult gardening man – woman 02:55

Pre-Listening Exercise

Think of two important keys in growing a garden. What have been your experiences in raising food in your country?

Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!

These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.

  • In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.

  • In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?

  • For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and self-assess your progress.

  1. Talking to your plants helps them grow better.
  2. Organic gardens are always healthier than ones that use chemicals.
  3. Anyone can grow a beautiful garden with the right knowledge.
  4. Some people naturally have a “green thumb.”
  5. Gardening is more relaxing than any other hobby.
  6. Plants grow better when they are grown from seeds instead of store-bought plants.
  7. Moon phases can affect how well your garden grows.
  8. Certain plants grow better when they are planted next to each other.
  9. City life makes gardening nearly impossible.
  10. Sharing garden secrets with others takes away their magic.

Idioms

“let the grass grow around your feet” = wait, waste time, or delay in doing something
“Don’t let the grass grow around your feet. Stop sitting at home and get out and apply for a job.”

“turn a new leaf” = change one’s behavior
“I don’t think he’ll turn over a new leaf just because he is getting married.”

Listening Exercise

Instructions: Watch this video and answer the questions. Then, read the script at the bottom of the page.

Post-Listening Exercise

What are the benefits or challenges of trying to raise your own fruits, vegetables, and even herbs?

Online Investigation

Imagine that you are moving to Northern Mexico for a couple of years, and you are into gardening. Because you are concerned about maintaining a healthy diet, you want to look into what edible plants you can grow in the area. Use the Internet to identify two vegetables and two fruits/berries that can be raised in that area. Then, answer the following questions:

  • What are the names of the plants you found?
  • When is the best time to plant them?
  • What is the growing season for each?
  • When are the vegetables ready for harvest?
  • In what kinds of recipes can the food items be used?
See Listening Script
Back to Academic English
Try More Free Listening at Dailyesl.com