ESL Happiness Lesson Plan

OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on happiness offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for teen or adult C1, advanced learners. In this lesson, students will:

• Define and discuss happiness and its connection to life satisfaction, well-being, and joy.

• Examine the factors influencing global happiness rankings and their impact on countries' happiness.

• Watch a video on Finland’s happiness ranking and explore Finnish cultural perspectives on contentment.

• Complete post-viewing exercises to analyze different viewpoints on happiness and engage in critical thinking.

• Participate in a discussion on improving happiness in their own countries, using vocabulary related to well-being and life satisfaction.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

To start this ESL lesson plan on happiness, students begin by exploring their understanding of happiness. They are asked to define happiness in their own words and examine how it relates to qualities such as life satisfaction, well-being, and joy. Students then discuss the differences between happiness and these qualities, prompting reflection on how personal perspectives shape one’s understanding of happiness. The class also considers global happiness rankings, discussing what factors contribute to these rankings, such as social welfare systems, weather, income, and democracy. A final discussion involves students sharing their thoughts on Finland’s lifestyle, cultural practices, and the general living conditions, preparing them for the video and the themes it presents.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

The video focuses on Finland's position at the top of the UN’s happiness rankings. However, rather than traditional ideas of happiness, it reveals that Finns tend to be highly content despite long, dark winters and a more reserved culture. Students first watch the video and answer questions about the topics discussed and the Finns’ responses. They are tasked with noting down the topics and responses mentioned by the reporter, such as life satisfaction, wealth, and social networks. Following this, students work on identifying key phrases used by the reporter, such as “life satisfaction,” and match them to the correct context within the video. The final activity involves students answering questions based on the content they just watched, helping them further understand the complexities of Finland's happiness ranking.

DISCUSSION & PHRASES

After watching the video, students reflect on the surprising aspects of Finland’s happiness ranking, discussing whether they were surprised by the country’s position. They also evaluate the effectiveness of the video in conveying insights about happiness, considering if it was an informative and engaging exploration of the topic. Students then consider how their own countries might rank in terms of happiness, sharing their opinions based on the factors discussed in the video. Additionally, they transform verbs into appropriate forms and complete sentences expressing opinions about Finnish happiness. Lastly, students identify phrases from the video that express reasons, opinions, or surprising information to reinforce the key concepts.

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: HOW DOES YOUR COUNTRY MEASURE UP?

In the final activation step of this happiness ESL lesson plan, students engage in a role-play activity where they discuss their country's happiness rankings. They first write down their nationality and research their country's position on the global happiness rankings. Working with a partner or the teacher, they discuss questions related to their country's life satisfaction, social well-being, and other factors that contribute to happiness. Using expressions such as “There’s no denying that…” and “It boggles my mind how…,” students reflect on their own perceptions and compare them with the data presented in the video. This activation encourages critical thinking and the use of vocabulary related to life satisfaction, personal well-being, and global rankings.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS ESL HAPPINESS LESSON PLAN FOR ADULTS

This ESL Happiness Lesson Plan for adults is ideal for helping students understand complex ideas about happiness and well-being from a global perspective. It introduces a thought-provoking video that explores the cultural factors influencing happiness, offering real-world insights and sparking discussion. Through various activities, students expand their vocabulary related to well-being and life satisfaction while honing their critical thinking and conversational skills. This lesson plan encourages students to reflect on their own cultural contexts and compare them with other countries, making the lesson not only educational but also highly relevant and engaging. It provides ample opportunities for students to apply new language structures and phrases in context, enriching their speaking and writing abilities.

Main Themes/Topics Covered: Happiness, Life Satisfaction, Well-Being, Culture, Global Rankings