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Unit 28: Conditionals review
What would Dan buy his mum?

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Session 5

At The White Elephant, everyone is swapping jobs to get a better understanding of what each other does, but when Gordon has to wash-up everyone needs to show a bit of empathy. Watch the story and learn some phrases related to empathy

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Drama: The White Elephant

Episode 28: Empathy

Ceilia's latest idea from her management training is to get everyone to do a job swap. This will give everyone the chance to see what other people's jobs involve. This could be fun, but will Gordon be able to 'lower' himself to doing the work of a washer-upper?! Watch this to find out and learn some phrases related to empathy.

Watch the video and complete the activity

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Ceilia
Thanks for your attention everyone. Now, as you know, I attended a conference yesterday and one of the great ideas I learnt was giving members of staff the opportunity to experience what other members of staff do.

Mary
You mean a job swap?

Gordon
So one of you lot is going to try doing my job?! Impossible!

Ceilia
I want you to see what it feels like to be in someone else's shoes.

Peter
But I wouldn't fit in your shoes.

Ceilia
Not literally Peter. It's just to understand what other people do – I'll take your job and you can take mine. And Mary and Gordon you can swap jobs too. Now, I'll take some orders – can I have your notepad please Peter?

Gordon
Oh very well... actually, from where I'm standing, it seems like I've got the easy job!

Mary
We'll see about that.

Peter
So everyone back to work please. Come on Gordon, we need all these plates washed.

Ceilia
I have an order - Four Seasons Vegetable Ragout for two people.

Mary
OK, coming right up. Gordon – I'll need some large bowls washing... and I'll need that pan... come on, quick as you can.

Gordon
I hear you! I just can't believe I've got to do all this.

Peter
Well done Mary... you're doing a great job.

Gordon
Actually... can you spare me a thought... I've got to do all this.

Peter
Hmm, I can see where you're coming from.You can't cope... you're fired. Off you go.

Gordon
You can't do that!

Mary
Peter! Take some pity on him – he's after all only a washer-upper!

Ceilia
So how's the job swap going?

Gordon
He's sacked me!

Ceilia
Well done. I've been trying to do that for months! How's it going for you Mary?

Mary
It's all fine. All the food's ready to go. I don't know why Gordon makes such a fuss about cooking!

Ceilia
Nor do I. But you see in my job, I have to show empathy for people. So Gordon – you can stay... for now.

Download

You can download the drama from our Unit 28 downloads page.

Vocabulary

empathy
being able to understand how someone else feels because you can imagine being in their situation

to be in someone else's shoes
to experience something from someone else's point of view

from where I'm standing
from my point of view; in my opinion

I hear you
I can hear what you're saying

spare me a thought
think about me as well

I see where you're coming from
I understand your situation

take pity on him
feel sorry for him

White Elephant quiz

3 Questions

How much did you understand in The White Elephant: Episode 28?

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End of Session 5

Next time in The White Elephant, someone had made a fantastic cake for a competition. Gordon takes the credit for making it, but did he really make it or is he stealing someone else's glory?

Session Grammar

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Session Vocabulary

  • empathy
    being able to understand how someone else feels because you can imagine being in their situation

    to be in someone else's shoes
    to experience something from someone else's point of view

    from where I'm standing
    from my point of view; in my opinion

    I hear you
    I can hear what you're saying

    spare me a thought
    think about me as well 

    I see where you're coming from
    I understand your situation

    take pity on him
    feel sorry for him

View full vocabulary reference

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