English Level:
Intermediate
Content Warning:
Mental Illness, Loneliness
American AccentÂ
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. Â
Getting on my nerves
Eats me up inside
Knowing better
Down in the dumps
Tearing up
Mama
To lose someone
It means a lot to me
Big ole smile
Feeding off of each other
Anxiety
Down syndrome
Innocent
Pre-Listening
These warmup questions are intended to introduce you to the topic
- What is Williams Syndrome?
- What are some symptoms of Williams Syndrome?
- How would your life be different if you had Williams Syndrome?
- Is lying always bad?
- Is it ok to hug strangers?
Listening
As you listen, try to answer these questions.
You may need to listen more than once.
- How does she feel looking at the mirror?
- What is her sister’s name?
- How does Williams Syndrome affect her?
- Why doesn’t she lie?
- Why can’t she hug everyone anymore?
- What is ‘boy careful’?
- Why does her jaw hurt?
- Who does she miss?
- How do emotions affect her compared to other people?
- When was she bullied?
- Why does she like living with her mother?
Video
Post-Listening
Reflect on what you have learned.
- Do you like hugging as much as Cecilia does?
- Â How important is family?
- Â Why does having Williams Syndrome make her lonely?
- Â Do you wish you were normal?
- Â What kind of people should she avoid?
-  Having a child with a genetic disease might mean that you will have to take care of them until one of you die. That is a large commitment. Would you be able to make that life-long commitment?
- Â Describe her relationship with her sister.
- Identify at least one key issue from this video that you could research more.