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Role-play

At the Doctor's Role Play (A2–B1)

A sore throat, a big presentation on Friday and a medicine mix-up.

Age
Ages 13+
Level
A2–B1
Skill
Speaking
Format
Teacher guide
More in the library

The situation

A doctor's surgery on a Wednesday morning. A patient has come in with a sore throat.

5-minute timer

Role card A

Patient

You've had a sore throat since Sunday, and you've come to see the doctor.

Your goals

  • Describe your symptoms and say how long you've had them.
  • Ask if you need antibiotics.
  • Ask if you can go to work or school tomorrow.

Only you know

  • You're already taking a cold and flu drink from the chemist's.
  • You've got an important presentation on Friday and you're worried about it.

Role card B

Doctor

You are a family doctor seeing patients on a busy morning.

Your goals

  • Ask about the symptoms and how long the patient has had them.
  • Look at their throat and give clear advice.
  • Ask what medicine they're taking already.

Only you know

  • It's a virus, so antibiotics won't help. The patient should rest and should feel better in three or four days.
  • Most cold and flu drinks already contain paracetamol, so the patient mustn't take extra paracetamol with them.

Model dialogue

One good version. Read it after the pairs have tried, not before.

Show the model dialogue
A
Hello, doctor. I've had a really sore throat since Sunday.
B
I'm sorry to hear that. Have you got a temperature as well?
A
A bit, yes, and I feel tired all the time.
B
Let me have a look. Open wide… It's quite red, but it looks like a virus.
A
Do I need antibiotics?
B
No, antibiotics won't help with a virus. Are you taking anything for it at the moment?
A
Just a cold and flu drink from the chemist's.
B
Good thing you mentioned that. Those drinks already contain paracetamol, so don't take any extra paracetamol with them.
A
OK, I won't. I've got a presentation on Friday. Do you think I'll be better by then?
B
You should feel much better in three or four days. Rest and drink plenty of water.
A
Can I go to work tomorrow?
B
I'd stay at home tomorrow and rest. If it isn't better in a week, come back and see me.

Extension for stronger students

Swap the sore throat for a sprained ankle from a football game: A has to explain exactly how it happened, and B gives instructions for the next few days (rest, ice, raising the foot) that A must repeat back correctly.

Printable role cards

Card A and card B on one page, with a cut line between them, plus the phrases.