Going to the Doctor’s Appointment

Description: This lesson introduces learners to a typical conversation during a doctor’s visit, where the mom and child discuss a health concern. It covers phrases related to booking an appointment, describing symptoms, and asking questions about treatment. This lesson also introduces common health-related vocabulary.

Mom: “Okay, we have a doctor’s appointment today. Are you feeling ready?”
Child: “Yes, but I don’t want the doctor to give me a shot!”
Mom: “Don’t worry, we’re just going for a check-up today. Let’s make sure you feel comfortable. We’re just going to talk to the doctor.”
Child: “Okay, but what if I feel sick?”
Mom: “If you’re feeling unwell, we can tell the doctor, and they’ll help us. You can say, ‘I have a sore throat’ or ‘I don’t feel well.’”
Child: “Okay, I can say that.”
Receptionist: “Hello, welcome! How can I help you today?”
Mom: “Hi, we have an appointment for [Child’s Name] at 2:00 pm.”
Receptionist: “Great, please have a seat, and the doctor will be with you soon.”
Mom: “Thank you.” (They sit and wait.)
Doctor: “Hi there! How are you feeling today?”
Child: “I feel okay, but my throat hurts a little.”
Doctor: “I see. How long have you had a sore throat?”
Child: “It started this morning.”
Doctor: “Let me take a look.” (Doctor checks throat.) “It’s a little red, but it’s not too serious. I’ll give you some medicine to help with the pain.”
Mom: “Thank you, doctor! Should we come back if the pain doesn’t go away?”
Doctor: “Yes, if the sore throat lasts for more than a few days, you can come back for a follow-up.”
Mom: “Got it! We’ll keep an eye on it.”
Doctor: “Great! Take care, and make sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids.”
Child: “Thank you, Doctor!”

Vocabulary List

  • Appointmentˈpɔɪntmənt] (noun) – A scheduled meeting with a doctor or other professional.
    • Example: “We have a doctor’s appointment at 2:00 pm.”
  • Check-up [ˈtʃɛkˌʌp] (noun) – A routine medical examination to make sure everything is okay.
    • Example: “It’s just a regular check-up.”
  • Sore throat [sɔːr θroʊt] (noun) – A condition where the throat feels painful, often due to illness.
    • Example: “My throat hurts; I think I have a sore throat.”
  • Receptionist [rɪˈsɛpʃənɪst] (noun) – A person at the front desk who manages appointments and helps visitors.
    • Example: “The receptionist helped us when we arrived.”
  • Medicine [ˈmɛdəsɪn] (noun) – A substance used to treat illness or relieve symptoms.
    • Example: “The doctor gave me medicine for the sore throat.”
  • Fluids [ˈfluɪdz] (noun) – Liquids like water or juice that are important for staying hydrated.
    • Example: “Drink plenty of fluids to feel better.”
  • Follow-up [ˈfɒʊʌp] (noun) – An additional visit to the doctor to check on a condition after the initial visit.
    • Example: “The doctor asked us to schedule a follow-up appointment.”
  • Rest [rɛst] (noun/verb) – To relax and not do anything physically tiring, helping the body heal.
    • Example: “Make sure to get plenty of rest.”
  • Take a look [teɪk ə lʊk] (phrase) – To examine something carefully.
    • Example: “The doctor will take a look at your throat.”
  • Not too serious [nɒt tuː ˈsɪərɪəs] (phrase) – Used to describe something that is not dangerous or alarming.
  • Example: “The sore throat is not too serious, but it still needs attention.”

Grammar Tip:

  • Use “have” for symptoms: “I have a sore throat.”
  • Use “let me” to offer help: “Let me take a look at your throat.”
  • Use “should” for advice: “You should drink plenty of fluids.”
  • Use “if” for conditions: “If the sore throat lasts for more than a few days, come back for a follow-up.”

FILL IN THE BLANK

Story with Missing Words

Mom: "Okay, we have a doctor’s appointment today. Are you feeling ?"
Child: "Yes, but I don’t want the doctor to give me a !"
Mom: "Don’t worry, we’re just going for a today. Let’s make sure you feel comfortable. We’re just going to talk to the ."
Child: "Okay, but what if I feel ?"
Mom: "If you’re feeling unwell, we can tell the doctor, and they’ll help us. You can say, ‘I have a throat’ or ‘I don’t feel well.’"
Child: "Okay, I can say that."

Receptionist: "Hello, welcome! How can I help you today?"
Mom: "Hi, we have an appointment for Emma at pm."
Receptionist: "Great, please have a seat, and the doctor will be with you ."

Doctor: "Hi there! How are you feeling today?"
Child: "I feel okay, but my throat a little."
Doctor: "I see. How long have you had a sore throat?"
Child: "It this morning."
Doctor: "Let me take a look." (Doctor checks throat.) "It’s a little , but it’s not too serious. I’ll give you some to help with the pain."
Mom: "Thank you, doctor! Should we come back if the pain doesn’t go away?"
Doctor: "Yes, if the sore throat lasts for more than a few , you can come back for a follow-up."
Mom: "Got it! We’ll keep an eye on it."
Doctor: "Great! Take care, and make sure to rest and drink plenty of ."
Child: "Thank you, Doctor!"

Heart Divider