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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 10 · Starter · A1
At the doctor and the pharmacy
Describe how you feel, understand the doctor and get your medicine.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
What do you do when you have a cold? Who do you see?
Key phrase 1 of 8
I've had a headache for three days.
Say the problem and how long.
Key phrase 2 of 8
I've got a sore throat and a cough.
Common symptoms.
Key phrase 3 of 8
It hurts here.
Point to where it hurts.
Key phrase 4 of 8
Do you bulk bill?
Ask if the visit is free with Medicare.
Key phrase 5 of 8
Here's my Medicare card.
Show your Medicare card at the reception.
Key phrase 6 of 8
How often should I take it?
Ask about medicine.
Key phrase 7 of 8
Can I have it filled here?
Ask the pharmacy to give you a prescription medicine.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Are there any side effects?
Ask about problems the medicine can cause.
Conversation
Doctor and Lucia
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 10
Doctor
Hi Lucia, what brings you in today?
Conversation · line 2 of 10
Doctor: Hi Lucia, what brings you in today?
Lucia
I've had a sore throat and a cough for three days.
Conversation · line 3 of 10
Lucia: I've had a sore throat and a cough for three days.
Doctor
Any fever?
Conversation · line 4 of 10
Doctor: Any fever?
Lucia
A little, last night.
Conversation · line 5 of 10
Lucia: A little, last night.
Doctor
Let me have a look. It looks like a virus, not an infection.
Conversation · line 6 of 10
Doctor: Let me have a look. It looks like a virus, not an infection.
Lucia
Do I need antibiotics?
Conversation · line 7 of 10
Lucia: Do I need antibiotics?
Doctor
No, antibiotics don't help with viruses. Rest and drink lots of water.
Conversation · line 8 of 10
Doctor: No, antibiotics don't help with viruses. Rest and drink lots of water.
Lucia
OK. When should I come back?
Conversation · line 9 of 10
Lucia: OK. When should I come back?
Doctor
If you're not better in a week, or if you feel worse.
Conversation · line 10 of 10
Doctor: If you're not better in a week, or if you feel worse.
Lucia
Thank you, doctor.
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Doctor. Student B is Lucia. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
I've had a headache for three days.
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
It hurts here.
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
How often should I take it?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 2
How do you describe a problem and how long you've had it?
- A I have headache.
- B I've had a headache for three days.
- C Headache three days.
✓ B: Use 'I've had… for…'.
Quiz · question 2 of 2
Which is a question about medicine?
- A How often should I take it?
- B Where are you from?
- C Is this seat taken?
✓ A: Also ask: 'With food?'
Culture talk
How does this work in your country? Tell your partner.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.co/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.co
· englishcoaching.co
Teacher notes
Level: Starter · A1 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "What do you do when you have a cold? Who do you see?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Doctor and student B is Lucia. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Doctor is read by Josh and Lucia by Mel. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Culture talk
End by asking learners how this works in their country. It's a natural way to practise the new phrases and to learn from each other.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: At the doctor and the pharmacy. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 10: At the doctor and the pharmacy
Describe how you feel, understand the doctor and get your medicine.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: bulk · card · effects · filled · headache · hurts · often · throat
- I've had a for three days. (Say the problem and how long)
- I've got a sore and a cough. (Common symptoms)
- It here. (Point to where it hurts)
- Do you bill? (Ask if the visit is free with Medicare)
- Here's my Medicare . (Show your Medicare card at the reception)
- How should I take it? (Ask about medicine)
- Can I have it here? (Ask the pharmacy to give you a prescription medicine)
- Are there any side ? (Ask about problems the medicine can cause)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Doctor: Hi Lucia, what you in today?
- Lucia: I've had a sore throat and a for three days.
- Doctor: Any ?
- Lucia: A , last night.
- Doctor: Let me have a look. It looks like a virus, not an .
- Lucia: Do I need ?
- Doctor: No, don't help with viruses. Rest and drink lots of water.
- Lucia: OK. When should I back?
- Doctor: If you're not in a week, or if you feel worse.
- Lucia: Thank , doctor.
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
How do you describe a problem and how long you've had it?
a) I have headache.b) I've had a headache for three days.c) Headache three days.
Which is a question about medicine?
a) How often should I take it?b) Where are you from?c) Is this seat taken?
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- I've had a headache for three days.
- It hurts here.
- How often should I take it?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/at-the-doctor-and-pharmacy/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 10: At the doctor and the pharmacy
A. Key phrases
- I've had a headache for three days.
- I've got a sore throat and a cough.
- It hurts here.
- Do you bulk bill?
- Here's my Medicare card.
- How often should I take it?
- Can I have it filled here?
- Are there any side effects?
B. Conversation gaps
- brings
- cough
- fever
- little
- infection
- antibiotics
- antibiotics
- come
- better
- you
C. Quiz
- b) I've had a headache for three days.
- a) How often should I take it?
englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/at-the-doctor-and-pharmacy/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach at the doctor and the pharmacy to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Starter level, about CEFR A1. It is lesson 10 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/at-the-doctor-and-pharmacy/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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