C1 ESL Lesson Plan: How to Grow Deeply Happy

Lesson Summary
What does it mean to be deeply happy? This ESL lesson plan invites Advanced (C1) to Proficient (C2) students to explore how pleasure, moderation, goodness and meaningful relationships might contribute to a fulfilling life.

Built around the short video How to Grow Deeply Happy, the lesson combines philosophical discussion with vocabulary development, video analysis and roleplay. Students also read Why Goodness Makes Us Happier, an article exploring eight ways ethical behaviour may support lasting happiness.

Learning Objectives

• Explore deep happiness and different approaches to developing it.
• Build vocabulary for discussing happiness and philosophy.
• Strengthen viewing, listening and reading comprehension.
• Develop critical thinking by examining arguments and assumptions.
• Practise expressing nuanced ideas through discussion and writing.
• Communicate ideas visually through multimodal composition.

Lesson Activities

Students discuss a quotation about happiness, share their perspectives and predict the video’s content. They then watch the video, answer comprehension questions and analyse its arguments before writing about their learning.

A roleplay provides further speaking practice. The follow-up article introduces the relationship between goodness and happiness through reading comprehension, discussion and reflective writing. Students finish by reflecting on the lesson.

Learner Type
Mature teens and adults.

Level
Advanced (C1) – Proficient (C2).

Language Focus
Vocabulary related to happiness and philosophy, with opportunities to explain abstract concepts, evaluate claims and express qualified opinions.

Time
90–120 minutes.

Benefits for Learners:

• Develop communicative competence and confidence through integrated skill-building
• Expand vocabulary and improve listening and reading comprehension through repeated, meaningful exposure
• Think critically and creatively while exploring powerful social and emotional themes
• Strengthen emotional intelligence and intercultural awareness through affective engagement with multimodal texts

Watch the short video.

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We hope you enjoy this ESL video lesson plan.

Thanks for being part of the Film English community, and happy teaching!
— The Film English Team

Transform Your English Classroom with the Multimodal Approach
This ESL video lesson plan is built around a thought-provoking short video and designed using the innovative Multimodal Approach, integrating listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing. Engage learners with real-world themes, develop communicative competence, build vocabulary and foster critical thinking through dynamic, research-informed activities. Find out more about the Multimodal Approach and join thousands of teachers transforming their classrooms with Film English.