Lesson: Floral Career

A. Picture Discussion (Pictures not provided)

Look at the pictures and describe what you see in them.

(Note: Please refer to the pictures provided with your original lesson materials.)

B. Job Guessing Game

Work in pairs. Choose a job from the box below but don’t tell your partner. Ask and answer yes/no questions to guess each other’s job.

Job Options:

Architect, taxi driver, dentist, farmer, lawyer, photographer, accountant, mechanic, soldier, hairdresser, chef, politician, nurse, plumber, florist

Questions to Ask:

• Do you…?
• Do you have to…?
• Did you have to…?
• …work inside?
• …wear a uniform?
• …study at college?
• …earn a lot?
• …work in shifts?
• …do a lot of training?
• …work with people?
• …use your hands?
• …do an internship?
• …use a computer?
• …get up early?
• …speak English?

C. Reading

The Colorful World of Floristry

Have you ever considered a highly creative career? Have you dreamt of working in a rosy environment full of color and fragrance? How much would you love it if you were surrounded by flowers all day? I’m going to give you some clues about such a job, which can also be a business.

(Picture: A florist arranging a bouquet of flowers.)

Yes, daisies, violets, tulips, marigolds, dahlias, lilies, jasmines, roses, and all those beautiful flowers can also earn you a living if you handle them professionally. If you start a career working with flowers, you will be called a florist. A florist’s career is a good choice for those seeking an unconventional job, and it is a popular choice worldwide. Wherever you see eye-catching floral displays, you are looking at the professional work of a floral designer.

Using real and artificial flowers with other greenery, florists prepare flower displays for various events, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, official receptions, and even funerals. Each flower has its own distinct color, design, value, and meaning, which flower designers must understand well. There are conventions and meanings associated with flowers. We know that roses typically symbolize romance and are given for anniversaries, and tulips are often given for birthdays.

Although formal education or a diploma is not always required for florists, they must have good taste and a good eye for colors, shapes, and proportions. They must be able to select flowers, ribbons, and other accessories to create beautiful arrangements. Professional florists are knowledgeable about flowers, design principles, and techniques. Most florists learn the trade through apprenticeships, by working on a flower farm, and by attending formal floral schools and courses. However, a genuine passion for flowers and a bit of aesthetic sense is all it takes to make a florist’s career successful.

Flower designers earn a decent income. But the added benefit is that they work in a fresh, beautiful environment that their clients also enjoy. They work with flowers all day in a pleasant, fragrant atmosphere with vivid colors all around. There is one disadvantage, though, if you are inclined to see it that way: florists work with flowers but miss their honey!

Questions:

1. What is a florist’s career like?
2. What qualities do you need to be a florist?
3. How do most florists learn the trade?
4. What is an additional advantage of a florist’s job?

D. Interview

Imagine you have met a florist at a flower shop. Write an imaginary interview with them.

E. Opinion

Write a short paragraph explaining why you like or dislike the job of a florist.