At the Doctor’s

Information-gap role-plays at the doctor’s in English for teachers of adult A1-A2 learners. Students practise describing symptoms, answering the doctor’s questions and getting a decision (a sick note, advice, can I fly or drive?), as the patient and as the doctor. Everyday health problems only: a cold, the flu, a sore throat, back pain, a twisted ankle, too much sun.

• Health Talk (A1-A2) – 16 word cards: basic health vocabulary (appointment, headache, sore throat, a temperature, the flu, sick note, prescription, painkiller, allergic, dizzy, twisted ankle, pharmacy), each with a simple meaning and a talk task about habits and opinions, never about the student’s own health.
• I Need to See a Doctor (A1-A2) – 12 patient role-plays: ear pain before a flight, a sick note for work, no voice before a presentation, a long drive, a race on Sunday, an insect bite before a wedding; the patient needs the doctor to decide something.
• Doctor’s Decision (A2) – 12 doctor role-plays: the student follows clinic rules and decides: two weeks off work, antibiotics, an X-ray today, allergy tablets before a driving test, a hiking holiday after a knee injury, vaccines for a trip.
• Teacher cards – 24 secret cards: the other side of every role-play: the doctor’s opinion and clinic rules, or the patient’s detail they only mention when asked, plus a twist.