Academic Happiness Lesson

Understanding Happiness

What is this lesson about?

This ‘happiness’ lesson book includes 6-10 hours of content:

Exploring the topic and linking personal experience.
Creating and writing a definition.
Analysing different academic definitions
Reading a 800-word text with reading test-type questions.
Identifying the key points in the text and writing a summary.
Discussing the authors ideas in the text and applying critical thinking skills.
Listening & taking notes to a 10-15 minute lecture – followed by questions.
Speaking in a seminar to discuss and synthesise the content from the reading and lecture.

Key definitions from the lesson:

What is happiness?

An official dictionary definition of happiness is: “A state of well-being and contentment”. “A pleasurable or satisfying experience “ (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2020).

“The experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile” (Greater Good Science Centre, 2020).

“Happiness comes from choosing to be happy with whatever you do, strengthening your closest relationships and taking care of yourself physically, financially and emotionally” (Harvard University, 1980).

What is happiness? This question has no straightforward answer, because the meaning of the question itself is unclear. What exactly is being asked? Philosophers who write about “happiness” typically take their subject matter to be either of two terms: A state of mind; A life that goes well for the person leading it (Stanford University, 2019).

More definitions in the PDF lesson book…

What is the secret to happiness?

This slide shows a variety of suggestions that can make our lives happier:

The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire

Adapted from: Hills, P., & Argyle, M. (2002). The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire: a compact scale for the measurement of psychological well‐being. Personality and Individual Differences, 33, 1073–1082.

Take the test / download

Topic-Based Lesson: Happiness

Happiness Lesson PDF Book

AMAZING VALUE – Six lessons in one book. Introduction, definitions, questionnaire (free), reading test with summary writing, lecture listening & seminar / Example / Webpage link /

TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Reading Test &/or Reading Summary

Reading Test: Understanding happiness

The text discusses the three dimensions of happiness, happiness at home and work and the recent research into what are the important features of happiness. The reading test worksheet tests headings / T,F,NG / open answers / gap fill / information tables / reference words / vocabulary. (Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Understanding happiness: Reading & Summary Writing Lesson

The text discusses the three dimensions of happiness, happiness at home and work and the recent research into what are the important features of happiness. The summary writing task consists of a note-taking worksheet, a summary writing task, critical thinking questions, sample notes, a sample summary and sample critical thinking answers. ( Example) Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Happiness Lesson PDF Book [new for 2020]

AMAZING VALUE – Six lessons in one book. Introduction, definitions, questionnaire, reading test & summary writing, 1 x lecture listening & seminar / Example / Webpage link /

TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

TED Talk Lecture Listening Test

What makes a good life? – Robert Waldinger

TED TALK: Lessons from the longest study on happiness by Harvard. It discusses the success of the study and what the findings were. [Example] Level: ***** [B2/C1] / Download PPT. / Video [12:46] / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP