Everyday Echoes · Role Play · A2/B1 · 50 min

At the Doctor's

You are not well. Today you see the doctor. You will say how you feel, listen, and ask a few simple questions.

This is the easier version. Want the harder one? → Full B2/C1 version →

The Scene 🎬

For about a week, you have not felt well. You have a cough, and you feel very tired. At night, the cough is worse, so you don't sleep well.

Today you have an appointment at the doctor's. You are a little nervous — you don't know all the words in English. But that is OK. You only need to do three simple things: say how you feel, listen to the doctor, and ask when you don't understand.

The doctor is kind and calm. They will ask you some questions, listen to your chest, and tell you what to do.

Warm up — talk for one minute

  1. When you are ill, do you go to the doctor quickly, or do you wait? Why?
  2. What is difficult about seeing a doctor in another language? What helps you?

Who's who

You
The Patient 🤒

Tired and not well. You want to explain how you feel, and understand what the doctor says.

The other person
The Doctor 🩺

Kind and calm. They ask questions, listen, and give you clear, simple advice.

Next: learn the phrases you need in the next tab. Then see them in a real conversation. It is OK to speak slowly. And it is always OK to say: "Sorry, I don't understand. Can you say it again, please?"

Useful Phrases 🧰

Here are the phrases for this conversation. Read each one and say it out loud once. Choose the ones you like. Keep this page open when you practise.

The shape of this conversation
1 · Say how you feel2 · Give details3 · Understand the advice4 · Feelings and thanks
It's a map, not a script. Real talk can skip steps or go back.
Cover it later, when you want to test yourself.

When you're the patient

🤒 Say how you feel
"I don't feel well."
"I have a cough, and I feel very tired."
🕐 Give details
"I've had it for about a week."
"It's worse at night."
💊 Understand the advice
"How long do I take it for?"
"So, two times a day, after food?"
💛 Feelings and thanks
"I was a bit worried."
"Thank you, doctor. Thank you very much."

When you're the doctor

"What is the problem?"
"How long have you had it?"
"Take this twice a day."
"Come back in a week."

When something changes

"Do you have a temperature?"
"Does it hurt here?"
"Do you have any allergies?"

When you need help

"Sorry, can you say that again, please?"
"Can you speak more slowly, please?"
"Do you mean…?"
"How do you say … in English?"

Speed round 🎯

Draw a card. Say what you would say, out loud. Then look at one answer.

Press the button to start.

Try a few more rounds with the toolkit covered. When it feels easy, you are ready.

The Conversation 💬

Read it out loud, one person each, then change. Find the phrases from your toolkit. Listen for how the patient says how they feel.

DoctorGood morning. Come in, sit down. How can I help you today?
YouGood morning, doctor. I don't feel well. I have a cough, and I feel very tired.
DoctorI'm sorry to hear that. How long have you had the cough?
YouFor about a week. It's worse at night, so I can't sleep well.
DoctorI see. Do you have a temperature? Any pain?
YouA little. My chest hurts a bit when I cough.
DoctorOK. Let me listen to your chest. Breathe in… and out. Good. It's just a chest infection — nothing serious.
YouOh, good. I was a bit worried.
DoctorThat's normal. I'll give you some medicine. Take it two times a day, after food.
YouSorry, how long do I take it for?
DoctorFor one week. And please drink lots of water and rest.
YouOK. So, two times a day, after food, for one week?
DoctorThat's right. Come back only if you don't feel better in a week.
YouThank you, doctor. Thank you very much.

From memory — don't look up!

1. How does the patient feel? Say two things.

2. How long has the patient had the cough, and when is it worse?

3. The doctor gives three pieces of advice. What are they?

1. The patient has a cough and feels very tired. (Their chest also hurts a little when they cough.)
2. For about a week, and it is worse at night.
3. Take the medicine two times a day, after food, for one week; drink lots of water; and rest.

Your Turn 🎭

No script this time. You have a real talk with a real person. You have a goal.

1 · Warm up your voice 🎤

Say each sentence out loud. Use your own words in the gaps.

  1. Say how you feel. I don't feel ___.
  2. Give details. I've had it for ___.
  3. Understand the advice. How long do I ___?
  4. Feelings and thanks. I was a bit ___.

2 · The scene 🎬

Pick a situation. Your partner plays the other person.

Your card
Where
The situation
You have
You want
Your ruleSay one thing at a time. Slow is fine.
Who you're talking to

🏆 Understand what to do and for how long.

⏱ 3:00
Twist deck

🎲 Something changes

Start the scene. After a minute, draw a card. What it says just happened.

Nothing has changed yet.

3 · Swap seats 🔁

Now you are the other person. Your partner takes your old part.

Your card
WhereThe doctor's room
Your goalAsk questions and give clear advice
Your partnerPlays the patient now

Draw another twist if you like.

4 · Afterwards ✅

Tick what you did, in either seat.

Phrases I want to use next time

Go again

⚡ Same situation, one more time

Do it again. Draw a twist before you start. Try to do it faster this time.

The Echo 🕰️

Today, when you are ill, you go to the doctor. They listen, they know what it is, and they give you medicine. In a week, you feel better.

A hundred years ago, in 1918, there was a terrible illness called the Spanish Flu. It went all around the world. There was no good medicine, and doctors could not stop it. Millions of people died.

So a cough and a week of medicine is a small thing. We are very lucky to have doctors and medicine today.

🦠 Want the story of the Spanish Flu? (Easy version)Open →

Two questions to talk about

  1. When you are ill, what makes you feel better — the medicine, or someone kind who looks after you? Or both?
  2. Today we have good doctors and medicine. What other things make us much safer now than a hundred years ago?