ELT&the Science of Happiness tesol2011

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ELT & the science of

Marc [email protected]

TESOL, March 2011

Please take a Handout & a cookie. Don’t eat it yet.

(the cookie)

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Positive psychology

in the language classroom


Educationalpsychology

http://www.centreforconfidence.co.uk/pp/overview.php?p=c2lkPTImdGlkPTAmaWQ9NA==http://www.theage.com.au/ Don’t worry, be happy. May 8, 2006

Happy students

Learn more

Work longer

More enthusiasm

http://www.theage.com.au/



This is not just a cookie.

This is a metaphor.

This represents…

…your happiness..

This cookie represents 100%

.of your “subjective positive affect”

Set point

50%

Set Point:Predisposition

Set Point:Predisposition

Set point

50%

Set point

50%

Circumstances

10%

Circumstancesoccupation

incomewhere you live

Marital status

personal history

genderage

where you grew upSickenss/health

family history

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Lifestyles & happiness

1940- USA• Homes with

no running water/indoor toilets: 1/3

• HS graduates: 25%

Now - USA• Homes 2x size • 2 rooms/person• HS graduates: 71%• Real personal

income - >50% more

• .

7.2Happiness level:(1-10 scale)

7.5

Circumstances• occupation

incomewhere you live

Marital status

Personal history

genderage

where you grew upSickenss/health

Family history

home

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Only

Set point

50%

Circumstances

10%

Intentional Activity

40%

Other stuff

you do

Intentional Activity

•40% vs. 10 %

• What we do is 4 times more (400% more!) important than our circumstances.

Intentional Activity = 40%

In teaching, the difference between

99%

A

59%

F

S

What is Positive Psychology?

S

Traditional psychology

Mental illness

S Positive psychology

Mental illnessMental health

I think your going tobe very happy here.

Why part of ELT?Doesn’t have to be.

Not like vocabulary / grammar/ functions/

reading/ speaking/ etc.

Any teaching includeseducational psychology

Why part of ELT?

http://www.centreforconfidence.co.uk/pp/overview.php?p=c2lkPTImdGlkPTAmaWQ9NA==http://www.theage.com.au/ Don’t worry, be happy. May 8, 2006

Happy students

Learn more

Work longer

More enthusiasm


http://www.centreforconfidence.co.uk/pp/overview.php?p=c2lkPTImdGlkPTAmaWQ9NA


Why part of ELT?

The “education

pressure cooker”

Why part of ELT?

Engaging activities

Why part of ELT?We don’t just teach English.

Humanistic Language Teaching

We teach people.

Why part of ELT?Not magic answer

& the keys to

English

Why part of ELT?

The more tools we have, the better our work.

Set of tools

What positive psychology is

not.

The ideals which have…filled me with the joy of living are goodness, beauty, & truth.

goodness, beauty, & truth.

To make a goal of…happiness has never appealed to me; a system of ethics built on this basis would be sufficient only for a herd of cattle.

The “traditional goals”(lots of money, big house, new car, etc.) can lead to…

the hedonic

treadmill

• Insert treadmill video

If video doesn’t work in SlideShare, try:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PbmpMoU2tk

the hedonic

treadmill

Positive psychology is about finding out what happy, mentally healthy people do.

How to weget the

information toour students?

Scientists know.

Dictation

If you use dictation,

does that make you a dictator?

Dictation

• What’s your sentence?

• Write it.

http://ELTandhappiness.terapad.com

Remembergood things

Say, “thank you.”

Do kind things

Friends & family

Forgive

Stay healthy

Notice good things

Deal with problems

Topics

Sonja Lyubomirsky, UC Riverside

GrammarFunctions

To behappy


Remembergood things

My top five

What are the five best things in your life last year?

My top five

Work with a partner. Choose one. Talk about it.

Partner, try “active listening”(shadowing).

Cartoon courtesy Tim Murphey, Language Hungry, Helbling Languages Publishing. Used by permission of author.

ShadowingShadowing

My top five

Work with a partner. Choose one. Talk about it.

Partner, try “active listening”(shadowing).

Then ask a question:Who? Why? When?

Where?How?

When?

Why not every week?

Remember good things in your life.

We often start class with,

What did you do over

the weekend that was really good?

? How about

Journal

1.____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Happiness

.

Happiness JournalIdeas:•something nice someone said or did • a good time you had • a pet •nice weather •Something you did that made you feel good •A cold drink on a hot day • being healthy •someone you love (parents, friends)

Maya’s Journal (3rd year)Happiness Journal• I played with my pretty dog.• It was a sunny day with beautiful blue sky.• I got a “Charlie & the chocolate factory” book in English that I had long wanted.• I got up early, so I walked my dog.

It was so pleasant and enjoyable for me. • I dreamed a happy story when I slept.• I saw a rainbow today. • When I cooked dinner, my family was

pleased.

Happiness Journal

Maya’s Journal (3rd year)

Happiness Journal• I played with my pretty dog.• It was a sunny day with beautiful blue sky.• I got a “Charlie & the chocolate factory” book in English that I had long wanted.• I got up early, so I walked my dog.

It was so pleasant and enjoyable for me. • I dreamed a happy story when I slept.• I saw a rainbow today. • When I cooked dinner, my family was

pleased.

Happiness Journal

Think about good things in your life -- the science:

Happy people and unhappy people actually have about the same number of positive and negative experiences. Positive people notice the good ones. Negative folks notice the bad ones.

Parducci 1995 in Nevin

“Count your blessings”

she was right.

When your mom said,

Do kind things

A Chinese proverb:

If you want to be happy

for an hour –-

Take a nap

A Chinese proverb:


for a day –-

Go fishing

A Chinese proverb:


for a month –-

Getmarried

A Chinese proverb:


for an year –-

Inherit a fortune

A Chinese proverb:


for a lifetime –-

for a lifetime –-

Help someone else

Compliments

You’ve got a beautiful smile. That’s a really nice scarf.You’re really nice.Cool jacket!You’re always on time. You’re so smart.You are really creative.

Compliments

Work in groups of 4-5. Think of one true compliment for each person.

Compliment each partner. Partner, just say, “Thank you.

Compliments

You’ve got a beautiful smile. That’s a really nice scarf.You’re really nice.Cool jacket!You’re always on time. You’re so smart.You are really creative.

Compliments

When you finish, remember each compliment.

She said I have a nice smile.

He said I am creative.

Every time you remember a compliment,

smile.

Do kind things -the science

• Life satisfactions (being happy with life) is about 24% higher in people who do kind things.Williams, Haber, Weaver & Freeman, 1998

• People who volunteer are, on average, twice as likely to feel happy as non-volunteers. Crist-Houran, 1996 both in Niven

Kindness gives birth to kindness.

-Greek proverb

Randomacts

of kindness

Random acts of kindness These are nice things that are easy to do.

Think of some more. • Say “thank you” to someone at school.

(ideas: the cleaning people, the office staff, etc.)• Give up your bus/train seat to an old person or

someone with a baby. • Smile at someone who is not smiling.• Pick up a bicycle that fell over.• Pick up some garbage outside. Throw it away.

(It is kind to the earth)

Randomacts of

kindness

Randomacts of

kindness

@

Whatchagonna do?

Say, “thank you.”

Someone special

Think of someone special in your life.

A special teacherSomeone whohelped you

A family member

Someone special

Why are they special? What did they do?Why do you want to

say thank you? Tell your partner.

How could you thank them?Will you?

Gratitude letter

I want to thank you…

Mom or dadA special teacherA coachA special friend

Who would you write to? Why?

Thank people - the science

People who show gratitude (say “thanks”) • deal with stress better.• have more positive interactions with others. • have more energy • have fewer physical problems • healthier hearts Midcolumbia Medical Center

Friends & family

My family

My family

Work in groups of 4-5. Tell about your family.Use a toothpick for each person.

My family

This is my . His/Her name is .He/She’s a .He/She’s special because .

Partners, what do you remember about each person?

Take time for friends & family - the science

“Share yourself.” People who are “socially open” (active with friends) rate themselves 24% happier than people who are not.

Finch, Barrera, Okun, Bryant, Pool, and Snow-Turek 1997 Niven

Forgive

Not to forgive is likedrinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.

- Nelson Mandela

Forgive

Think of people who have hurt you. Who DIDN’T you forgive yet? Put one arm

straight out. Hold something

heavy.

Read this:• Someone did something bad to you.

• Forgiveness does NOT mean it was OK.

• Forgiveness does NOT mean that person can do it again.

• Forgiveness is important forthings that must NOT be doneagain.

• When you do not forgive, who is hurt?

• The person who did the bad thing usually doesn’t know.

–Or doesn’t remember.

–Or doesn’t care.

• The anger is in your heart.

• You carry the weight.

• It does not help to know why the person did the bad thing.

- Usually that person doesn’t know.

• You carry the weight.

• You have the power to

let it go.

Forgive

Heavy, isn’t it? You have the power to put it down.Metaphor can teachthings we just can’tteach directly.

Forgive - the science

Studies of university students thinking about “hurtful memories” found those who forgive others have:

- less stress- healthier body functions (heart

rate, blood pressure, EMG (electromyogram -- tests

nerve/muscle function))

Forgiving others also seems connected to less:

• anger • depression • negative thoughts • alcohol/drug

abusehttps://www.amsa.org/healingthehealer/forgiveness.cfm

American Medical Association Student Association


When you forgive, you don’t change the past.

You change the future.

-Bernard Meltzer

Stay healthy

Eat right.

Exercise regularly.

Die anyway.

- Author unknown & probably dead.

Most of us know what to do to be healthy.

We need to actually do it!

Smiling – some science• makes us attractive• changes our mood• is contagious• reduces stress• boosts immune system• lowers blood pressure

Smiling – some science

• releases endorphins & serotonin• makes you look younger• makes you seem successful• helps you stay positive

http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongbeauty/tp/smiling.htm

by which I mean “a little weird”.

great!wonderful!brilliant!a super

student.fantastic.

This activity is experimental

Pencil image © polis poliviou Creative Commons

Smile writing

is (name)

Take care of your health-the science

• Regular exercise like walking = increases happiness 12%.It also leads to better self image.

• People who eat a lot of fruit have 11% more feeling of being able to do things and being satisfied Healtey and Thombs 1997 (Niven)

• Smoking takes about 3-6 years off your life. Unhappiness takes about 9 years off.

Smoking: BBC 2006, Milwaukee Nun Studies -Seligman, 2002 Emmons (2007) Thanks!

Notice good things

Notice good things when they happen.

The basketball game

Watch the video.How many passes doesthe team in WHITE make?

If videos doesn’t work in SlideShare, try:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4

Take the time to

smell the roses

Notice nice things when they happen

Notice life’s joys

Eat a cookie –

with mindndfulness


Work with a partner. You will have one minute.

How many good things can you say about today/ right now?


- the science• The actual number of good and bad

events have little to do with happiness. What counts is the beliefs about what has been experience. Chen 1996 (in Niven)

• People who like what they have are twice as likely to be happy with what they have. (compared with folks who have more). Cole, Kosenko, and Meadow, 1995 (Niven)

simplify

How I spentmy summervacation

Vipassana (mindfulness) meditation

Humanrobots

Ideas?

Deal with problems

Bad things happen to everyone

Find ways to deal with problems/ stress / sadness

Think of a problem you had in the past. How did you get past it?

Tell a partner.

Moving onEveryone has problems. Happy people know they will pass.

Find ways to deal with problems/ stress / sadness

• Bad things happen to everyone• Faith / Spirituality• Social connections (friends)• Other beliefs/proverbs:

“This too will pass.”“That which doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.”“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf” =Jon Kabat-Zinn

When life gives you lemons…

…make lemon butter sautéed chicken breasts

with herbs & baby asparagus

Proverbs & aphorisms

• point out useful ways of looking at things

• positive self-talk• create self-fulfilling prophesies

- Lyubomirsky 2007

-The Buddha

What we think, we become.

Memory test

There were 8 “happiness” ideas.

Work with a partner. How many can you remember?

Sonja Lyubomirsky, UC Riverside

To behappy

Happiness Haiku

Our feelings reflect

the things we do every day.

Choose to be happy.

Our feelings reflect

the things we do every day.

Choose to be happy.

• • • • •

• • • • • • •

• • • • •

Happiness haiku

Happiness haiku

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Q & maybe A

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2 reactions:

Great!Great!

Great, but…Great, but…

A strategy: Steal time

10 minutes for a…

– warm-up– cool-down task– an energy builder– a fluency task


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Q & maybe A

Thank you..

Randomacts of

kindness

Which will you do today? Which do you promise

yourself you will do?

Randomacts of

kindnessTonight, think about you did today.

Feels good, doesn’t it?What will you do tomorrow?How will you feel when you do one extra “act of kindness” every day?

Laughter and smiles - the science

• We reflect faces, smiles or

frowns. Gunther Sicki, 2004

Lundqvist and Dimberg 2005 p. 135

• One minute of heavy laughter = same health benefits of 1 hour workout • In a study of heart attack victims, 43% of the

control group had another heart attack within one year.

Only 8.3% of experimental group did.

Lee Berk, 1996

The intervention: 30 min. of humor video/day.

The old saying,

“Laughter is the best medicine”

is true when it comes to protecting your heart.”

- University of Maryland Medical Center

http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/laughter.html

Laughter

Laughter yoga

Fake it‘til you make it

eye contact

clap

Ho. Ho. Ha! Ha! Ha!

Laughter practice

Beth Agnewwww.laughpractice.blogspot.com

Laughter practice

A Chinese proverb:


For an hour –-

go fishingget married

inherit a fortunehelp someone else

take a nap

For a day --

For a month --

For a year --

For a lifetime --

• If we really want to love, • We must learn how to forgive.

• - Mother Theresa

If we really want to love, we must learn how to

forgive.- Mother Teresa

Thanks to the organizers for for inviting me and to

Longman/Pearson Education for making

my participation possible.

This presentation © 2010 by Marc Helgesen.Textbook art from English Firsthand and Longman Logo © Pearson Education - Longman. Used with permission.Spot art © Clipart.com. Used with permission.

Domino’s pizza ad available at youtube.com. Search: Dominos pizza garlic

And thanks to you for coming.

simplify