A2 Visiting the Doctor

Objective:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Describe common illnesses and symptoms.
  • Use “should” to give and receive basic health advice.
  • Roleplay a conversation between a patient and a doctor.
  • Listen for specific information about symptoms and treatments.

Duration:

90 minutes (two 45-minute sessions)

Materials Needed:

  • Picture flashcards of symptoms (e.g., headache, stomachache, fever, cough)
  • Roleplay cards
  • Audio clip of a doctor-patient conversation
  • Dialogue gap-fill handout
  • Whiteboard and markers

Session 1: Vocabulary and Listening (45 minutes)

Warm-Up Discussion (5 mins)

Ask students:

    • “Have you been sick recently?”
    • “What do you do when you feel ill?”

Vocabulary: Symptoms (10 mins)

  • Introduce and drill pronunciation:
        • Headache
        • stomachache
        • cough
        • sore throat
        • fever
        • cold
        • runny nose
        • back pain
        • tired

Match symptoms to images or mime the words and have students guess.

  • Activity: Students play a quick “Guess the Symptom” game where they describe without saying the word:
    • “My head hurts. I can’t think!” → Headache.

Listening Activity (15 mins)

  • Play an audio of a patient talking to a doctor.
    • Task: Students complete a gap-fill dialogue while listening.

Follow-up Questions:

  • What was the patient’s problem?
  • What advice did the doctor give?

Grammar Focus: Giving Advice with “should” (15 mins)

Examples on board:

  • You should drink more water.
  • You shouldn’t go to work if you’re sick.

Practice using affirmative and negative forms.
Mini speaking task: Students look at symptoms and give advice using “should.”

Session 2: Speaking, Roleplay, and Writing (45 minutes)

Review Vocabulary & Grammar (5 mins)

  • Quick flashcard quiz + board race with “should” advice.

Dialogue Practice (10 mins)

  • Give students a basic model dialogue (Doctor/Patient):
      • “What’s the problem?”
      • “I have a fever.”
      • “You should stay in bed and drink fluids.”
  • Students read and practice in pairs.

Roleplay Activity (15 mins)

  • Distribute role cards:
      • One student is a patient with a set of symptoms.
      • One is a doctor giving advice.
  • Encourage use of props or gestures. Rotate roles.

Writing Task (10 mins)

  • Students write 5 sentences of advice for a sick friend using “should” and “shouldn’t.”

Example:

    • “You should go to the doctor.”
    • “You shouldn’t eat junk food.”

Wrap-Up & Group Reflection (5 mins)

Discuss:

    • What new phrases did you learn?
    • What’s good advice when someone is sick?

Worksheet: Visiting the Doctor

Vocabulary – Common Illnesses and Symptoms

Match the word with the correct picture or definition:

  1. ___ Headache
  2. ___ Cough
  3. ___ Fever
  4. ___ Sore throat
  5. ___ Stomachache
  6. ___ Runny nose
  7. ___ Back pain
  8. ___ Tired

A. Your body is too hot
B. You feel pain in your stomach
C. You feel sleepy and have no energy
D. You feel pain in your back
E. Pain in your head
F. You sneeze a lot, and your nose is wet
G. It hurts when you talk or swallow
H. A sound you make when you are sick

Listening Task – At the Doctor’s Office

Instructions: Listen to the conversation. Fill in the blanks below.

  • Patient: Good morning, doctor. I don’t feel well.
  • Doctor: What’s the problem?
  • Patient: I have a __________ and a __________.
  • Doctor: Hmm. You should __________ and __________.
  • Patient: Thank you, doctor!

Grammar Focus – Giving Advice with “Should”

Complete the sentences with “should” or “shouldn’t”:

  1. You __________ drink hot tea with lemon.
  2. You __________ go outside if you have a fever.
  3. You __________ rest and sleep more.
  4. You __________ eat too much sugar when you’re sick.
  5. You __________ see a doctor.

Now write 2 sentences of your own:

Practice Dialogue – Patient and Doctor

  • Fill in the blanks:
      • Doctor: Hello. What’s the matter?
      • Patient: I have a ___________________.
      • Doctor: You should ________________________.
      • Patient: Anything else?
      • Doctor: You shouldn’t ____________________.
      • Patient: Thanks, doctor.
  • Practice with a partner. Take turns being the doctor and the patient.

Roleplay Cards

Cut these out or choose one with your partner. Use the dialogue above to help.

  • Patient Card Examples:
        • You have a sore throat and a fever.
        • You have back pain from sleeping badly.
        • You feel tired and have a runny nose.
        • You have a bad stomachache after eating fast food.
  • Doctor Task:
      • Give two pieces of advice using “should” and one using “shouldn’t.”

Writing Task

Write 5 sentences giving advice to a sick friend. Use “should” and “shouldn’t.”

  • Bonus – Challenge Question (Optional)
      • What do you usually do when you’re sick? Write 3-4 sentences about it.

Reading Task: A Visit to the Clinic

Read the Story

 

Anna’s Day at the Clinic

Anna doesn’t feel well today. She has a sore throat, a headache, and a fever. She stays home from work and drinks tea, but she still feels bad. In the afternoon, she visits the local clinic.

 

The doctor asks, “What’s the problem?”
Anna says, “I feel very tired, and my throat hurts. I also have a headache and a high fever.”

 

The doctor checks her temperature and says, “You have the flu.”

 

He gives her some advice:
“You should stay in bed and rest. You should drink lots of water. You shouldn’t go to work or meet friends this week.”

 

Anna thanks the doctor and goes home. She stays in bed with her cat and watches TV.

Comprehension Questions

True or False?

  1. ___ Anna has a sore throat, a headache, and a fever.
  2. ___ She goes to the doctor in the morning.
  3. ___ The doctor says she has a cold.
  4. ___ The doctor says she should drink water.
  5. ___ Anna goes to a party after the doctor visit.

Answer the Questions

  1. What are Anna’s symptoms?
    → _______________________________________
  2. What advice does the doctor give?
    → _______________________________________
  3. Does Anna go to work? Why or why not?
    → _______________________________________
  4. What does Anna do at home?
    → _______________________________________

Language in Context

Complete the sentences using “should” or “shouldn’t”:

  1. Anna __________ go to work when she is sick.
  2. She __________ drink a lot of water.
  3. You __________ stay home if you have the flu.
  4. You __________ eat ice cream with a sore throat.

Personal Connection (Optional)

Write your answers:

  • What do you do when you feel sick?
    → _______________________________________
  • Do you visit the doctor often?
    → _______________________________________

Homework:

Students write a short dialogue (6-8 lines) between a doctor and a patient. Use at least 3 “should” sentences.

Assessment:

  • Informal observation during roleplays and speaking tasks
  • Correct use of “should” in writing
  • Comprehension from listening task

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