You are not well. You have a cough. It started a few days ago, and now you can't sleep at night. This morning you say, "OK, I need some help." So you walk to the pharmacy near your house.
Nobody can help you if you say nothing. So you must do two things: say what is wrong, in simple words — and then listen. How much do you take? When? Is it safe with your other medicine? These small questions are important.
Behind the counter is the pharmacist. They are calm and kind, and they know a lot about medicine. They will help you — you only need to tell them the problem.
Warm up — talk for one minute
When you are ill, what do you do? Do you go to the pharmacy, go to the doctor, or stay in bed?
How do you say "I have a cough" or "my head hurts" in your language? Is it easy or hard to say?
Who's who
You
The Customer 🤧
Tired and not well. You want to say what is wrong, get some medicine, and learn how to take it.
The other person
The Pharmacist 💊
Calm and kind. They know a lot about medicine. They will help you — and they always check what is safe.
Next: learn the phrases you need in the next tab. Then see them in a real conversation. It is OK to speak slowly. It is OK to say "Sorry, again please?" if you don't understand. Good customers ask questions!
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 · Ask for help2 · What is wrong3 · Ask for medicine4 · Is it safe?
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 customer
🚪 Ask for help
"Can you help me? I don't feel well."
"I think I have a cold."
🤒 What is wrong
"I have a bad cough, and I can't sleep at night."
"It started three days ago."
💊 Ask for medicine
"Can you give me something for it?"
"How do I take it, before or after food?"
🛡 Is it safe?
"Is it safe with my other medicine?"
"Thank you very much. That is very kind."
When you're the pharmacist
"How can I help?"
"What are your symptoms?"
"Take one tablet, twice a day."
"Do you take any other medicine?"
When something changes
"Do you have allergies?"
"Is it for you?"
"It costs six pounds."
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 customer says what is wrong, and how they check the medicine.
PharmacistHello. Can I help you?
YouHello. Yes, can you help me? I don't feel well.
PharmacistI'm sorry. What is the problem?
YouI have a bad cough. It started three days ago, and I can't sleep at night. But I don't have a fever.
PharmacistOK. This medicine is good for a cough. It is not strong.
YouThank you. How do I take it?
PharmacistTwo spoons, three times a day.
YouTwo spoons, three times a day. Before or after food?
PharmacistAfter food, please. Not on an empty stomach.
YouOK. And is it safe with paracetamol? I take it for my head.
PharmacistYes, it is safe. But look at the box — don't take too much.
YouThank you very much. That is very kind.
PharmacistYou're welcome. Drink lots of water and rest. Feel better soon!
From memory — don't look up!
1. What is wrong with the customer? Say two things.
2. How does the customer take the medicine? (How much? How many times? Before or after food?)
3. The customer asks one safety question. What is it?
1. The customer has a bad cough (for three days) and can't sleep at night. There is no fever. 2. Two spoons, three times a day, after food (not on an empty stomach). 3. "Is it safe with paracetamol?" — because the customer takes paracetamol for their head. (The answer: yes, but don't take too much — look at the box.)
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.
Ask for help. I don't feel ___.
What is wrong. It started ___ ago.
Ask for medicine. Can you give me ___?
Is it safe?. Is it safe with ___?
2 · The scene 🎬
Pick a situation. Your partner plays the other person.
Your card
Where
The situation
You have
You want
Your ruleSay how long and where it hurts.
Who you're talking to
🏆 Leave with the right medicine and clear advice.
⏱ 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 pharmacy counter
Your goalAsk questions and give safe advice
Your partnerPlays the customer 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 🕰️
In 1348, a terrible illness came to Europe. People call it the Black Death. Nobody knew what it was, and nobody knew how to stop it.
People went to the "medicine man" for help. But they got flowers to smell and strange drinks — things that did not work. There was no real medicine, and no good advice.
Today, you went to the pharmacy and got real medicine that works — and a clear answer about what is safe. That is a big, wonderful change. You only had to ask.
Long ago, people took medicine that did not work. Today, how do we know a medicine is good? Do you trust it because of the science, or because a person tells you?
Sometimes a good pharmacist says "No, see a doctor." Is it good to say "I'm not sure, so no"? When do you say this in your life?