Why is Pacific Vanuatu So Happy?

Oof, the question of happiness. How happy is your country? Why do some countries rank so high on happiness indexes, even though you would never think it? Why does the country you live in rank so poorly? These are great questions with sometimes unsatisfying answers.

The country in question today is Pacific Vanuatu. Never heard of it? You’re not alone. I just discovered it too! But it is apparently full of happy people. And after watching the video, I can kind of see why. The typical life there is nothing like the one I’m leading here in Western Europe (not that I don’t love it here!). This tropical island is just organized differently, with priorities and objectives that keep things simple. Would a simple life out there make me feel happy? Probably not. It looks like something you need to be born in, as it really comes down to their perspective and tribal organization that generates a high happiness index. A transplant might not do so well…

But it’s definitely food for thought!

This one page (front and back) A4 discussion worksheet is online-friendly and works well as a printable. No staples required! It contains:

• A link to the authentic source material for yours and your students’ reference.
• Listening comprehension questions in the form of true or false statements (students must rewrite the false ones to make them true).
• A speaking activity where students discuss their reactions to thought-provoking or controversial statements.
• A task-based small group activity.
• 5 useful vocabulary words or phrases they can use to better understand and discuss the topic together.
• Answers for reference on the back page.

Oh, and I really did my best for this discussion worksheet to work well for B1 (intermediate) students, so you finally have an ESL Expertz discussion worksheet for that B1 group of yours!