ESL CONNECT

Going to the Doctor

An A2 ESL CONNECT lesson on going to the doctor, helping learners describe symptoms, answer questions and understand simple advice.

Section 1
Stage 1 — Warm-up
At the doctor's
5 minutes · Simple discussion
Doctor speaking with a patient in a medical consultation room
Lesson preview

Talk about symptoms and understand simple medical advice

This lesson helps learners describe how they feel, answer a doctor’s questions, and ask for clear instructions about medicine and treatment in simple English.

A2CEFR level
40 minInteractive lesson
6 stagesDoctor visit practice

Talk to your partner. Use simple words:

1. Point to parts of your body. Say: This is my head / arm / stomach.

2. Can you say three things that can hurt? (e.g. My head hurts.)

3. What do you say when you go to the doctor? Do you know any words?

Teacher note: Keep language very simple at A2. Drill: "I have a headache / stomachache / fever / cold." Teach: hurt (verb), pain (noun), feel (verb). Use pictures of body parts. Model the target sentence: "My ___ hurts." Have students repeat.

Today's situation:

You do not feel well. You go to see the doctor at the medical centre.

Your problems: headache for 2 days, temperature (38°C), sore throat. You are not sleeping well. You do not have any allergies.

Simple sentencesBody vocabularyShort answers
5 min
Stage 2 — Vocabulary
Words for the doctor
10 minutes · Gap-fill exercise
Click a word. Then click a blank. Click a filled blank to remove it.
temperature
doctor
headache
tired
medicine
throat
appointment
fever

Put the correct word in each gap.

I have a . It started two days ago.

My is 38 degrees.

My is sore. It hurts when I swallow.

The doctor gave me some to take three times a day.

The asked me many questions about my symptoms.

I made an for Monday morning at 9 o'clock.

I have a — my body feels very hot.

I feel very . I cannot sleep at night.

10 min
Stage 3 — Useful phrases
What to say at the doctor
8 minutes · Study and practise

Saying what is wrong

My head hurts.
I have a sore throat.
I have a temperature.
I feel very tired.
I don't feel well.

Answering the doctor

It started two days ago.
No, I don't have any allergies.
No, I'm not taking any medicine.
Yes, I have a temperature — 38 degrees.

Asking simple questions

What is wrong with me?
Is it serious?
How many tablets do I take?
When do I take the medicine?

Understanding the doctor

Sorry, can you say that again, please?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Do I need to come back?
Do I need to rest?
Practise these phrases with your partner. Say them out loud. They are short and simple — you can use them in real life!
8 min
Stage 4 — Grammar practice
Simple questions drill
10 minutes · Choose the correct answer
10 min
Stage 5 — Role play
At the doctor's surgery
12 minutes · Pair work
How to use: Student A = Patient. Student B = Doctor. Speak slowly and use simple sentences. It is OK to make mistakes — keep going!
Student A — Patient

You feel ill. Head hurts. Sore throat. Temperature: 38 degrees. Started 2 days ago. No allergies. No medicine. Tired at night.

Student B — Doctor

Ask what is wrong. Ask when it started. Ask about allergies and medicine. Look at the throat. Say it is an infection. Give medicine: 1 tablet, 3 times a day. Say: rest and drink water.

Doctor — Student B
Hello! Come in and sit down. How can I help you today?
Patient — Student A
[Say hello. Say you do not feel well. Say your head hurts and your throat is sore.]
Doctor — Student B
I see. When did it start?
Patient — Student A
[Say it started two days ago. Say you also have a temperature.]
Doctor — Student B
Do you have a temperature? What is it?
Patient — Student A
[Say yes. Say your temperature is 38 degrees. Say you feel very tired.]
Doctor — Student B
Are you taking any medicine at the moment? Do you have any allergies?
Patient — Student A
[Say no to both questions.]
Doctor — Student B
OK. Open your mouth please... Yes, your throat is red. I think you have an infection. I will give you some medicine.
Patient — Student A
[Ask: is it serious? Ask: how many tablets do I take?]
Doctor — Student B
It is not serious. Take one tablet three times a day — morning, afternoon, and evening. Drink lots of water and rest.
Patient — Student A
[Repeat back: one tablet, three times a day. Ask if you need to come back.]
Doctor — Student B
Come back if you do not feel better in three days. Take care!
Patient — Student A
[Say thank you. Say goodbye.]

Swap roles!

Now Student B is the patient with a stomachache and Student A is the doctor. Keep sentences short and simple.

12 min
Stage 6 — Summary
Lesson complete!
5 minutes · Review

Today's lesson

A2 — Elementary

Going to the Doctor

~40 minutes

What you practised:

8 simple medical words
Phrases to say what is wrong, answer questions, and ask simple questions
6 grammar exercises with simple present and past tense
A doctor role play with a real patient situation

Homework:

1. Write 5 sentences about how you feel today. Use: I have a..., My ... hurts, I feel...
2. Draw a body and write the names of 10 body parts in English.
3. With a partner, practise: one person is sick, one is the doctor. Use only the phrases from Stage 3.
Great work! You can now talk about feeling ill in English. Remember: short, simple sentences are perfect!