
Learn the basic vocabulary needed to check in with a receptionist at the doctor’s office
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Week of Dec. 15/25
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The lesson includes interactive vocabulary activities, a short video, and reflection questions to…
Keep readingLesson plan overview
| Task | To learn the basic vocabulary needed to check in with the receptionist at a doctor’s office. |
| CLB level | CLB Stage I (CLB 1-3) |
| Delivery method | Online |
| Class size | 10-15 students (vary the number of activities according to your class size) |
| Estimated time | 1.5 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 and politeness formulas used in checking in at a doctor’s office in Canada. |
| Specific task learning objectives | To learn standard vocabulary for checking in with a receptionist at a doctor’s office. To practice this vocabulary in a role play (both with set dialogue and in an open-ended role play). |
| 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 check in at a doctor’s office.
- What is a receptionist?
- What is a patient?
- What does checking-in mean?
- What is an appointment?
- What kind of questions will the receptionist ask you when you arrive at the doctor’s office?
Skill-building activities
FEATURED CONTENT
- Vocabulary flashcards* 🔊
- Listen to the vocabulary again* (Pay attention to how to say the words and phrases and what they mean.)
- Checking in at a doctor’s office* 🎥 (Listen for the vocabulary we just learned. What words and phrases did you hear?)
Skill-using tasks
- Role play and comprehension questions* 🔊
- Who says what?* (Move the tiles under the correct speaker.)
- Match question and response*
Assessment/review tasks
Reflection questions
- What are three words or phrases that you learned today?
- Is it hard to get an appointment with your doctor? How long do you usually have to wait?
- How long do you have to wait in the doctor’s office?
- Do you speak with the receptionist, or does someone else do it for you?
- Do you know about 811? Visit the 811 website link.
- Has anyone called 811?
- When do you go to the hospital or call 911? When do you see your doctor?
RELATED PAGES
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This lesson plan for your beginner ESL students teaches the basic vocabulary for making a doctor’s appointment, particularly over the phone.…
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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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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 a TESL Canada certified ESL teacher in Edmonton, Alberta, I specialize in teaching online classes of beginner ESL students.
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