Objective
To practice speaking, listening, and vocabulary related to health, symptoms, and doctor-patient communication.
Level
Beginner to Intermediate (can be simplified or made more detailed)
Materials Needed
Role-play cards (symptoms, roles)
Simple health vocabulary list
Props (clipboard, toy stethoscope, mask, thermometer – optional)
How to Run
Step One: Teach Key Vocabulary & Expressions
Introduce basic words and phrases:
1. Symptoms: headache, stomachache, fever, sore throat, cough
2. Doctor’s questions: “What’s the matter?”, “When did it start?”
3. Patient responses: “I have a ___.”, “It started yesterday.”
4. Advice: “Take some medicine.”, “Get some rest.”, “Drink water.”
Step Two: Set Up Roles
Assign or let students choose:
1. Doctor
2. Patient
3. (Optional) Receptionist
Step Three: Use Role-Play Cards
Give each student a card with a symptom or situation.
Examples:
– “You have a bad cough and a fever.”
– “You feel dizzy when you stand up.”
Step Four: Perform the Role-Play
1. Greet → Ask about symptoms → Explain → Advise → Thank
2. Encourage full sentences and polite expressions.
Step Five: Switch Roles and Repeat
Rotate so everyone can try being the doctor and patient.
Tips for Success
1. Demonstrate with an example role-play first.
2. Use visuals or body language to support comprehension.
3. Focus on natural speech and tone (politeness, empathy).
4. Celebrate effort, not just correctness!
Adaptations
1. Writing Practice: Students write a mini-dialogue before acting.
2. Drawing: Students draw their symptoms before visiting the doctor.
3. Online Class: Use breakout rooms and digital symptom cards.
