At the Doctor's

Objective & content

By the end, A2 students can describe a simple health problem and understand basic advice. This resource is a pair speaking activity: two self-contained cut-out role cards — a patient (Card A) and a doctor (Card B) — each carrying only the phrases that role needs, plus [S]/[A] variants. Prints 5 sets per A4 page.

Pedagogical guide

Roleplay cards work because each student only sees their own role, so the exchange stays a real information gap. This card set targets health functional language (describing symptoms, should for advice) and pairs naturally with a body-parts or health lesson. Use it once students recognise basic body parts and can form simple present-simple statements.

Suggested procedure

1. (2 min) Distribute one Card A and one Card B per pair; model one round with a confident student.
2. (1 min) Set the goal: Card A describes a headache and sore throat; Card B asks about the problem and gives advice.
3. (8–10 min) Pairs run the exchange, then swap roles and repeat.
4. (2 min) Quick whole-class check: did students describe the problem and hear the advice?

Adaptations

• [S] Give the patient the two problems on the card; describe one only.
• [A] Cover the "You can say" lines and improvise; use the complication (the patient also feels very hot — doctor adds "stay at home"); bonus: swap roles and change the problem (a cold, a stomach ache).

Materials & prerequisites

Print the cards sheet (A4, 5 sets per sheet) and cut into cards; one set per pair. Assumes basic body-parts vocabulary and present-simple statements.

Curriculum alignment

Maps to Cycle 3 "child and close environment" (FR 6e) — everyday personal-care exchanges in a familiar setting.