English Level:
Intermediate
Content Warning:
death, dying, terminal disease, child death
Vocabulary
I have chosen not to include the definitions here to give you the opportunity to find the information yourself. The information you find this way will stay with you longer. Please take the time to find out the meaning of the vocabulary.
Terminally ill
Fathom
In a bad way
Lose it (crying)
ICU
Jolly
Pearly gates
Haulin’ ass
Pre-Listening
These warmup questions are intended to introduce you to the topic
- How is a child’s perspective different from an adult’s perspective?
- At which age do children grasp the concept of death?
- What are the feelings attached to Christmas?
- What is a Christmas party like in a hospital
Listening
As you listen, try to answer these questions.
You may need to listen more than once.
- What was the boy concerned about?
- What was Eric’s “job” when he got to the hospital?
- There was one thing that Eric couldn’t do in the room. What was it?
- What did the boy look like when Eric walked in the room?
- Describe the ICU.
- What did he say to the boy?
- Who opened the present?
- What favor did Eric ask the boy?
- How did Eric know the boy had died?
Video
Post-Listening
Reflect on what you have learned.
- Read the description of the video. How does it make you feel?
- Do you think Christmas is a Christian holiday?
- Is it ok to lie to a dying person?
- The Make-a-Wish Foundation is famous for granting wishes to terminally ill children. Often children will ask to meet celebrities. Is it fair to put people though the emotional pain (like Eric) to grant a dying child their final wish?
- No parent wants to see their child die. Have you lost someone close to you? What would you like to say to them?
- Identify at least one key issue from this video that you could research more.