Inside Out · You Don’t Have to Be Happy All the Time

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Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons

Inside Out

You Don't Have to Be Happy All the Time

Name feelings and respond supportively without rushing to solve everything.

B1 English60-minute tutor lesson

Created by , British English teacher.

Content note: Sadness and the loss of something important.

Meet the emotions

Joy explains how the emotions help Riley.

Watch for: Does Joy understand everybody's job?

Original source

Clip A quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. Who introduces the other emotions?
2. Whose life are the emotions helping to manage?
3. What is Fear's main concern in the introduction?
4. What does Disgust try to protect Riley from?
5. What matters strongly to Anger?
6. What does Joy admit about Sadness?

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

I am not sure how I feel yet.

Allow uncertainty about an emotion.

It makes sense that you feel that way.

Acknowledge another person's reaction.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

  1. Which feeling can help someone prepare carefully?

    Support and one possible answer

    I think… because…

    Worry can help someone prepare, but too much worry can make it difficult to begin.

  2. Can something feel fair to one person but unfair to another?

    Support and one possible answer

    For example…

    One person may like taking turns while another thinks experience should decide.

  3. How can you reply when someone cannot name a feeling?

    Support and one possible answer

    You do not have to…

    You do not have to explain it immediately. We can talk when you are ready.

Listening to Bing Bong

Bing Bong is upset. Joy and Sadness respond differently.

Watch for: Which response helps him talk about his loss?

Original source

Clip B quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. What has Bing Bong lost?
2. What does Joy first try to do?
3. What does Sadness invite him to talk about?
4. How does Sadness behave while he talks?
5. What does Bing Bong do before feeling ready to continue?
6. What happens after the conversation?

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

Would you like to tell me about it?

Invite someone to speak without pressure.

We can take a break before we carry on.

Offer time and practical support.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

  1. What is the difference between listening and immediately giving advice?

    Support and one possible answer

    Listening… Advice…

    Listening lets the person explain. Advice can be useful later, when we understand the problem.

  2. What could you say to someone whose plan has failed?

    Support and one possible answer

    That sounds… Would you…?

    That sounds disappointing. Would you like to tell me about it?

  3. Offer support without saying the problem is unimportant.

    Support and one possible answer

    We can…

    We can take a break. I will stay here while you decide what to do next.

Mastery quiz

Use language from both clips in new situations.

Mastery · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. Your friend has not explained the problem yet. A helpful first step is to ___.
2. A student says, "I cannot tell whether I am angry or sad." They are ___.
3. You want to help someone feel less alone after a disappointment. You want to ___.
4. After a short rest, the group decides to ___.
5. Which reply acknowledges a feeling without claiming to solve the problem?
6. Which question gives someone a choice about talking?

Put it all together — speaking

Speak first, then use the support if you need it. For the final conversation, take a role each or practise both roles alone.

  1. How does Clip B change the picture of Sadness in Clip A?

    Support and one possible answer

    At first… Later…

    At first Joy cannot explain Sadness's job. Later Sadness helps by listening.

  2. When might a person need listening before a solution?

    Support and one possible answer

    They might need…

    They might need to explain why a disappointment matters before deciding what to do.

  3. Can you support a friend after a cancelled event?

    Support and one possible answer

    Acknowledge the feeling, ask permission and agree a small next step.

    That sounds upsetting. Would you like to tell me about it? We can take a break before deciding whether to arrange another event.

Role A

Your planned event has been cancelled. Explain why it mattered. You do not need an immediate solution.

Role B

Listen, acknowledge the feeling and offer one optional next step. Do not demand personal details.

Check your conversation

  • Name or acknowledge a feeling.
  • Ask before giving advice.
  • Use three target items and agree an optional next step.

Try again: Repeat the final interaction once. Improve one expression and one response to your partner.

Original teaching activities: Hibiscus Teach. Film and television clips belong to their respective owners.