ENGLISH

1. Technology and Happiness
Your speaking partner!
Module #188

2. Have we become less happy in this age of technology?

3. Warming up!
Let’s watch a video entitled “Is Technology Impacting Your Happiness?”
by clicking the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUAWDaN75rE

4. Listening Test
❑ Based on the video, what is Ellen’s main purpose of writing a book
entitled “the happiness hack”?
❑ What kinds of negative effects that Ellen stated when the era of mobile
technologies came?
❑ According to Ellen, why do we always take a look at our phones
whenever we have a chance?
❑ What are the names of the brain chemicals that are in charge of
making us drawn into the loop?
❑ Could you mention the three things that Ellen said can bring us
happiness in life?

5. Vocabulary
Glean (v) : to collect information in small amounts and often with difficulty
Ex.: From what I was able to glean, the news isn’t good.
Flurry (n) : a sudden, short period of activity, excitement, or interest
Ex.: There was a flurry of excitement as the president walked in.
Thriving (adj) : growing, developing, or being successful
Ex.: he school was really thriving under her leadership.
Gratification (n) : pleasure or satisfaction, or something which provides this
Ex.: Some people expect instant gratification (= to get what they want immediately).
Troll (n) : a message that someone leaves on the internet that is intended to annoy people
Ex.: A well-constructed troll will provoke irate or confused responses from flamers and newbies.

6. Vocabulary
Unplug (v) : to remove what is blocking something
Ex.: The video shows you how to unplug a bath drain full of hair.
Ping (v) : to send an email, text, or other kind of message, especially to someone's mobile phone
Ex.: It is a legal requirement to self-isolate after being pinged by the COVID-19 app.
Catfish (v) : to try to trick or attract someone by pretending on social media to be someone different
Ex.: If a random, attractive person starts talking to you online, you are very likely being catfished.
Felicity (n) : happiness, luck, or a condition that produces positive results
Ex.: Her article contained one or two verbal felicities that will stay in my mind for years.
Fraud (n) : the crime of getting money by deceiving people
Ex.: They spent ten years in jail for fraud.

7. Get vs Arrive
Did you know the difference between ‘get’ and
‘reach’? Take a look at the following table.
Exercise
Could you create two sentences by using ‘get’ and
‘arrive’ based on the explanation above?
Word Rule
Get 1. To + (a place)*
• What time did you get to the hotel?
• I got to the hotel around 2.00.
2. Home*
• When will she get home?
• She will get home at noon.
*’Get home’ is an exception to the rule
‘get+ to + place’
Word Rule
Arrive 1. In + (country/town)
• We arrived in the USA last Sunday.
• The team will arrive in Paris on
Monday.
2. At + (building)
• She arrived at the station early.
• What time will you arrive at the
museum?

8. Expressing Intention
Expressing intention is an expression that is used
to state plans or, something intended to do in the
future.
No Expression
1 We would like to...
2 He will...
3 She would rather...
4 My mother is going to...
5 I am going to…
6 I am planning to...
7 I will make an effort to...
8 I am thinking of...
9 I reckon I will...
No Expression
10 I have every intention of...
11 I fully intended to...
12 I'm going to go to the library tomorrow.
13 My mom and I are going to go shopping on
Sunday.
14 I would rather stay at home than go shopping.
15 I will pick up you tonight.
16 I would like to join English Club next week

9. Can we set a day in a week where we totally unplug from any
technological devices? Do you think you can commit to this
plan?
The students’ responses might relate to their prior knowledge, evidence, experience, or a plan if they
were to be put in such a situation.

10. What would you say regarding the
following statement?
As a user of technology, do you think you have
used the technology in your life effectively? Or,
have you already been trapped in the
excitement of technological advancement so
that you only use technology for entertainment
purposes?

11. Reflection time
What did you learn
from this session?
*The mentor gives each student chance to say what they learned from this session.

12. Cheers up! :)
Your speaking partner!
IG: @speakgurus
www.speakgurus.com