
Learn the basic vocabulary needed to set up a doctor’s appointment
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THIS WEEK’S FEATURED POST
Week of Feb. 2/26
This simplified version of information in Canada’s citizenship guide focuses on several of the first Europeans to explore Canada.
Keep readingLesson plan overview
| Task | To learn the basic vocabulary needed to make a doctor’s appointment (e.g., on the phone). |
| CLB level | CLB Stage I (CLB 2-4) |
| Delivery method | Online |
| Class size | 10-15 students (vary the number of activities according to your class size) |
| Estimated time | 1.5-2 hours (depending on class size) |
| CLB Skills and Competencies | Speaking: Interacting with others Getting things done Sharing information Listening: Interacting with others Comprehending instructions Getting things done Comprehending information Reading: Comprehending information |
| Language focus | Learn the vocabulary needed to understand this topic. Use the appropriate grammar structures and vocabulary to respond personally to the reflection questions. (Encourage students to respond in full sentences.) |
| Cultural focus | Students understand the questions and answers expected in making an appointment in Canada. |
| Specific task learning objectives | To learn standard vocabulary and phrases for making a doctor’s appointment. To understand that these standard questions may also be used when making an appointment online. To practice this vocabulary in a role play (both with set dialogue and open-ended). |
| ESL Directions original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities? | This lesson includes original video (🎥) and audio (🔊) activities. |
| Resource attribution | ESL Directions original resources are marked below with an asterisk (*). Feel free to use these, but please give credit to ESL Directions. |
Lesson plan
Warm-up: Introducing the topic and defining our terms
- Today, we’re going to learn some of the words you need to make a doctor’s appointment.
- What is an appointment?
- What is a doctor’s appointment?
- What is a receptionist?
- What is a patient?
- What are some questions the receptionist might ask you on the phone when you are making a doctor’s appointment?
Skill-building activities
- Vocabulary flashcards*
- Listen to the vocabulary again* (Ask students to pay attention to the pronunciation and meaning of the words. ) 🔊
Skill-using tasks
FEATURED CONTENT
- Learn vocabulary: Open the box*
- Making an appointment with your doctor 🎥 (Ask students to listen for words and phrases they just learned.)
- Audio, role play, and comprehension questions* 🔊 (Listen and then read the text. Answer the comprehension questions.)
- Vocabulary group sort* (Put the vocabulary into categories.)
- Role play unjumble*
- Gap fill*
- Who says what?* (Move the tiles under the Receptionist or Patient.)
Assessment/review tasks
- Open-ended practice*
- Vocabulary quiz*
- Speaking cards* (Students explain the vocabulary words and phrases.)
Reflection questions
- What are three words or phrases that you learned today?
- Do you make doctor’s appointments yourself?
- How long does it take for you to get an appointment with your doctor?
- Can you make appointments with your doctor online? Is this an easier way for you to make appointments?
- How is the health care system different in Canada from your home country?
- What do you find easy about speaking on the phone?
- What do you find hard about speaking on the phone?
- Do you find it easier to speak with people in person? If so, why do you think this is?
RELATED PAGES
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Keep readingHEALTH YOUTUBE PLAYLIST
Click on the small right arrow at the top of this video to watch the videos or go to the YouTube Health Playlist.

HEALTH WORDWALL ACTIVITIES
Wordwall is a very useful interactive lesson-creation site. If you sign up for a free Wordwall account, you will be able to see our “Health” folder, which includes ESL Directions activities that you can add to your lessons.
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ABOUT ESL DIRECTIONS
ESL teacher, movie buff, constant reader, and former editor and communications pro. Now a graduate of the Teaching English as a Second Language program at the University of Manitoba and an ESL teacher in Edmonton, Alberta, I specialize in teaching online classes of beginner ESL students.
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