B2 – Upper Intermediate
At present, we have grown more and more conscious about our overall well-being.
There’s a new buzzword making rounds: “flourishing”. Now, this term doesn’t only mean generally feeling healthy and happy, but it is about feeling good about every other aspect of your life such as happiness, health, relationships and financial security.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the meaning of flourishing and how to ensure you are thriving in life.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250807
Vocabulary Questions:
- Define “buzzword”. “I wonder if you all feel that you are ‘flourishing’ in life. This is another psychological buzzword with added evidence.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “small win” mean? “There’s an old saying – ‘a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step’ – and savouring each small win along the way is vital to flourishing.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- Explain the meaning of “to stop and smell the roses”. “Savouring involves taking time out to ‘stop and smell the roses‘, as we say.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- What can one do in order to cultivate flourishing?
- What are things you do to ensure you are flourishing in life?
- Does flourishing depend on your nationality, or are there things anyone can do to feel happier wherever they live? Share your insights.
- Share your thoughts on this, “While richer countries scored higher on material happiness, middle-income countries did better in terms of kindness and social connection.”
- “In Japan, women flourished more than men, while in Brazil the opposite was true.“ Why do you think this is?
- What might be the explanation to this: “Across all countries, flourishing increased after the age of 50.”