Lesson 9: Happiness
I feel like I’m on cloud nine!

I can express happiness.

INTRODUCE

Happiness is a feeling that people usually want to share, so it’s important to know how to express it in more than one way.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. To be on cloud nine means to be extremely happy.

     

    Steph was on cloud nine after holding her first art exhibit.

     

     

    2. To be on top of the world means to feel very happy.

     

    Lance felt like he was on top of the world after finally getting the promotion he had wanted for years.

     

     

    3. When someone is beaming, he/she is smiling widely.

     

    Henry was beaming after his team won the championship.

     

    II. Use the expressions above to express your happiness about the following situations.

    You won the lottery.

    Your best friend got married.

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends with a vowel sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound, a consonant sound is sometimes added to connect them.
Phrase Example

be on cloud

/ be-yon kloud /

I’ll / be-yon kloud / nine if he says yes.

be on top

/ be-yon top /

She’d / bey-on top / of the world if that happened.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Naoki is picking up Saori and Aoi-chan at the airport.

Naoki:

How was your flight?

Saori:

Good. But the best part was seeing you waiting for us when we stepped out of the baggage area.

Naoki:

I’m so happy we can live like a family again.

Saori:

Oh, Naoki. It felt like we were always fighting, and now it’s like nothing can separate us. Isn’t this just wonderful?

Naoki:

Thank you for not giving up on us, Saori – especially on me. And thank you for understanding how much this job means to me. With this great career and with you and Aoi-chan here, I feel like I’m on top of the world now – like I can overcome anything. I don’t think I can get any happier than this!

Saori:

Actually…

Naoki:

You’re beaming. Did something happen? Is there something I should know?

Saori:

Yes, actually, I have good news. Aoi-chan’s going to have a little brother or sister!

Naoki:

Really? Oh my gosh! You’re pregnant?

Saori:

Yes, yes, I’m pregnant!

Naoki:

(hugs) Oh, wow! Saori, you’re making me the happiest man on Earth! I feel like I’m on cloud nine! Did you hear that, Aoi-chan? Our family’s going to get bigger!

TRIVIA

Aside from be on cloud nine, there are many other English idioms that use numbers. Here are a few examples:

 

  • A person or thing that is a perfect ten is considered flawless or ideal.
  • When something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens right before it’s too late.
  • To be in seventh heaven means to be in a state of extreme happiness.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Replace the underlined parts with expressions from the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed, and more than one answer may be possible.

be beaming
be on cloud nine
be on top of the world
Student:

Do you know our neighbor Dan?

Tutor:

Dan Glover? Yeah. Did something happen to him?

Student:

You bet! He won a contest and got a new car!

Tutor:

Wow, seriously?

Student:

Yeah! When I learned about it, I went over his place to congratulate him. He had such a huge smile on his face the whole time. He looked like he was so incredibly happy.

Tutor:

Well, if I were in his shoes, I’d feel like that too. Wouldn’t you?

Student:

Of course! I’d be happier than I had ever been before.

STEP B EXERCISE

Respond to the questions and comments using the expressions in parentheses. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

1.

I’m so happy! I finally found a publisher who wanted to distribute my novel!

(be on cloud nine)

 

 

2.

Did you see the looks on Jolina’s and Marvin’s faces when they became friends again?

(be beaming)

 

 

3.

Hey, there! I heard your café had a successful opening yesterday.

(be on top of the world)

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your friend is showing you pictures of his/her trip to Norway. Talk about the trip and the secret to happiness in general.

Today's Expressions

  • be on cloud nine
  • be on top of the world
  • be beaming

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

HAPPINESS
2

BEAMING
3

MAKING OTHERS HAPPY
1

HAPPINESS

  1. Do you think it’s important for everyone to be happy?
  2. Do you believe that happiness is a choice?
  3. How do people’s reasons for being happy change over the course of their lives?
  4. Right now, what would make you really happy?

2BEAMING

  1. Who do you think has the best smile (ex. a close friend, a celebrity)?
  2. Do you sometimes find yourself beaming unexpectedly?
  3. How would you react if a stranger was beaming at you?
  4. Do you agree that people who smile a lot are more attractive than people who don’t?

3MAKING OTHERS HAPPY

  1. Do you think you’re good at making others happy?
  2. When was the last time you made someone happy?
  3. What can you do to make someone in your life happy right now?
  4. What song would you recommend to make others happy?

FEEDBACK

I can express happiness.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK