
Learn the basic vocabulary needed to speak with a dentist during a check-up.
FOLLOW ESL DIRECTIONS ON
THIS WEEK’S FEATURED POST
Week of Dec. 15/25
Teach your beginner ESL students about preparing for a traditional Canadian Christmas and encourage them to share their own cultural traditions.
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 speak with a dentist during a routine check-up. |
| 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 | 1.5-2 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 and politeness formulas used during dentist’s check-ups in Canada. Students understand more about dentists’ role in the Canadian health care system. |
| Specific task learning objectives | Students learn basic vocabulary related to a dental visit. Students understand the process for a typical dental check-up, including the difference between dentists and dental hygienists. Students discuss the differences between a dental visit in their current and first countries. |
| 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 speak with your dentist during a check-up.
- What is a dentist?
- What is a dental hygienist?
- What are some words you might use at the dentist?
Skill-building activities
FEATURED CONTENT
- Vocabulary flashcards*
- Listen to the vocabulary again* 🔊 (Pay attention to how to say the words and what they mean.)
- Label a diagram*
- Visiting the dentist* 🎥
Skill-using tasks
- Listen and read* (Audio and transcript.) 🔊
- Comprehension questions* (Listen to the text again. Ask students to answer comprehension questions.) 🔊
- Unjumble activity* (Unscramble the sentences to see the vocabulary definitions.)
Assessment/review tasks
- Quiz*
- Visiting the dentist boardgame*
- Tip tile image review* (Click on each tip tiles to expand it. Ask students to provide vocabulary definitions.)
Reflection questions
- What are three words or phrases that you learned today?
- Have you been to a dentist in Canada?
- Do you have to pay to go the dentist in Canada?
- What is a toothache? What can you do if you have a toothache?
- What is different about going to the dentist here and in your first country?
- What is the best part about going to the dentist? What is the worst part?
- What do you usually do to take care of your teeth and gums?
- What foods cause cavities?
- Have you ever had a cavity filled by the dentist?
- Do you have any issues with your wisdom teeth?
- Do you like going to the dentist?
- Would it be easy to be a dentist?
- What are dentists like in your country?
RELATED PAGES
Checking in at the dentist’s office
This lesson plan will teach your beginner ESL students basic vocabulary for checking in at a dentist’s office. The lesson includes…
Keep readingMaking an appointment with your dentist
This lesson plan for beginner ESL students teaches basic vocabulary for making a dentist’s appointment. The lesson plan includes activities such…
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.
SHARE THIS PAGE:

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 a TESL Canada certified ESL teacher in Edmonton, Alberta, I specialize in teaching online classes of beginner ESL students.
FOLLOW ESL DIRECTIONS ON
CONTACT US








