The Happiness Class

Meaning to Live (Step 3)

B2-Intermediate+BNC Levels CEFR Levels Ideas Protected Step 3 Stories March 8, 2020 0

ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Viktor had just married Tilly. She was the love of his life. He was a young doctor in Vienna, Austria. And Viktor and Tilly should have envisioned a bright future together, but Nazi Germany was occupying Austria, and Viktor and Tilly were Jewish. In... Read more

Experience Flow

B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Courses Listen!Protected Sciences Sports Step 2A Step 2 Stories Top Picks March 7, 2020 0

ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Shaun White is a world famous snowboarder. Watch him slide down the pipe in slow motion. He goes up one side and flies into the air at an extreme height. Time stands still. Coming down, he gains speed and lands smoothly. Then he rises... Read more

Happiness in 59 Seconds (Step 1)

A2-Beginner+BNC Levels CEFR Levels Listen!Public Sciences Step 1 Stories March 4, 2020

ReadOasis Step 1 (Part 1) Jim sat into a soft, red chair. He looked down, and then he started to cry. “Am I asking too much?” he said. “I just want to be happy.” Dr. Jones gave Jim a box of paper tissues. “Thank you,” said Jim as he... Read more

The Seven Habits Made Easy

A3-Beginner++BNC Levels CEFR Levels Ideas Public Step 2 Stories March 4, 2020

Max is running late. He hurries out the door of his apartment, holding a cup of coffee. Then he sees his bus. “It’s leaving!” he cries. Max starts to run, but he trips over a rock and falls. His coffee flies out of his hands and spills all over... Read more

Making Work Fun: The Levity Effect

B1-Intermediate Biz BNC Levels CEFR Levels Public Step 3 Stories Top Picks March 4, 2020 2

A manager at a company was interviewing a job candidate. The manager said, “We need a very responsible person for this job. We need someone who can take charge.” The candidate’s eyes lit up, and he responded with great enthusiasm. “Sir, your search ends here! I’m the one. In... Read more

Habit Power (Step 3)

A3-Beginner++BNC Levels CEFR Levels Listen!Protected Sciences Step 3 Stories Top Picks February 18, 2020 0

ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Will walked into the large office area and looked around. He was carrying a cup of coffee, and he spilled some on his hand. “Ouch!” he said. “That’s hot!” He looked around, but all the other workers were busy. They didn't even notice him. He walked... Read more

Say No to Overwork

A3-Beginner++Biz BNC Levels CEFR Levels Protected Step 2 Stories January 9, 2020

ReadOasis Step 2 "I told you that you could do it! You worked hard and got into a great university. And now you have landed an excellent job at a big company! Congratulations on your success! You did it!" "Thank you, father," said Kenya, standing tall in his dark... Read more

Making Work Fun: The Levity Effect (Step 2)

A3-Beginner++Biz Biz Step 2B BNC Levels CEFR Levels Courses Protected Step 2 Stories Top Picks January 6, 2020 1

ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) A manager at a company was interviewing a job candidate. The manager said, “We need a very responsible person for this job. We need someone who can take charge.” The candidate’s eyes lit up, and he answered with great confidence. “Sir, your search ends... Read more

How to Feel Happier

B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Protected Sciences Step 2 Stories December 26, 2019 0

By Dr. Richard Wiseman ReadOasis Step 2 Creative Commons photo by Benjamin Smith This exercise is all about the power of smiling. Obviously you smile when you’re happy. However, research shows the opposite is also true. Smiling actually makes you feel happier. So each day, put a smile on... Read more

Meaning to Live (Step 2)

B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Ideas Protected Step 2 Stories December 2, 2019 1

ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Viktor had just married Tilly. She was the love of his life. He was a young doctor in Vienna, Austria. And Viktor and Tilly should have expected a bright future together. But Nazi Germany was in control of Austria, and Viktor and Tilly were... Read more

ANTs in your Brain

A3-Beginner++BNC Levels CEFR Levels Listen!Protected Sciences Step 2 Stories November 15, 2019

ReadOasis Step 2 Jane took a deep breath. She reached for the door, opened it, and stepped into the room. When she looked up, she saw five men in dark suits, sitting in a row. Jane introduced herself and took another deep breath. The man in the middle waved... Read more

The Happiness Class (Step 3)

B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Ideas Listen!Protected Step 3 Stories November 8, 2019

ReadOasis Step 3 In his last year of high school, Alan didn't sleep much. Instead, he studied. Sometimes he crammed for exams all night. Sometimes he drank 3 or 4 cans of energy drinks so that he could study more. And he felt the agony of overwork. He got... Read more

Learn to Be Lucky (Step 3)

B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Listen!Protected Sciences Step 3 Stories November 6, 2019

ReadOasis Step 3 Devin woke up late. He skipped breakfast and got in his car and drove off in a hurry. But the traffic was dreadful. "Another bad day," he said to himself. "Maybe I will have another accident." But he didn't have one more accident. He had two... Read more

The Happiness Class (Step 2)

A3-Beginner++BNC Levels CEFR Levels Ideas Listen!Protected Step 2 Stories October 1, 2019

ReadOasis Step 2 In his last year of high school, Alan didn't sleep much. Instead, he studied. Sometimes he studied all night. Sometimes he drank 3 or 4 cans of energy drinks so that he could study more. And he suffered. He got headaches, back pain, and he became... Read more

Happy Memories

A3-Beginner++BNC Levels CEFR Levels Ideas Protected Step 2 Stories August 25, 2019 0

By Dr. Richard Wiseman ReadOasis Step 2 This exercise is all about re-living happy memories. Research shows that reflecting on what went well yesterday, no matter how trivial the event will make you feel happier. So simply think back about the last 24 hours and focus on what went... Read more

Happy to Write

A2-Beginner+BNC Levels CEFR Levels Protected Sciences Step 2 Stories August 17, 2019

ReadOasis Step 2 Mr. Sully stood in front of the class. His old, blue suit looked dirty and worn. His white shirt was turning brown. And his white socks looked gray inside his black shoes. He started speaking. But the class was not listening. He waved his hands to... Read more

Ten Tools for Making More Happiness

A3-Beginner++BNC Levels CEFR Levels Listen!Protected Step 2 Stories Styles August 4, 2019

ReadOasis Step 2 Mary looked into the eyes of her new baby. "She's so beautiful," said Mary almost singing. Mary continued her song, "My goodness! I'm so happy! This is the happiest moment in my life!" And yes, it was. In fact, most couples feel the purest kind of... Read more

Habit Power (Step 2)

A3-Beginner++BNC Levels CEFR Levels Protected Sciences Step 2 Stories August 2, 2019 0

ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Will walked into the large office area and looked around. He was carrying a cup of coffee, and he spilled some on his hand. “Ouch!” he said. “That’s hot!” He looked around, but all the other workers were busy. They didn’t even notice him.... Read more

Gratitude Attitude

A3-Beginner++BNC Levels CEFR Levels Protected Sciences Step 2 Stories July 21, 2019

By Dr. Richard Wiseman ReadOasis Step 2 This exercise is all about the power of gratitude. Research shows that thinking about aspects of your life for which you’re grateful will make you feel happier. So spend a few moments thinking about just one thing for which you have a... Read more

The As If Principle

B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Ideas Protected Step 3 Stories July 14, 2019 0

By Richard Wiseman ReadOasis Step 3 In 1884, the great American Philosopher William James had a radical idea. James argued that if you behave as if you’re a certain type of person, you become that person. Decades of research has shown that James’s idea applies to all aspects of... Read more