When your ESL Students go to a doctor to seek medical help, they should be able to describe the basic symptoms of disease in English. It’s also helpful when we express our illness or feeling unwell to someone who cares.
So, how can you guide your students to improve their conversational skills when they express their illness by describing their basic symptoms?
If you’ve been teaching speaking skills for a while, you know that ESL teachers face at least a few, if not many, challenges while preparing their speaking lessons. One of the primary challenges is selecting the right activity for your ESL speaking class.
To boost my students’ conversational skills, I often use sample conversations as a role-play activity in my classes.
And guess what? My students truly enjoy them!
In my experience, students often struggle with describing symptoms due to limited vocabulary or grammar errors during real-life situations.
To improve your students’ conversational skills when they need to describe the basic symptoms of diseases in English, you should allow them to practice real-life conversations through role-plays based on these situations.
Give them the following 15 conversations to practice describing symptoms to improve their communication skills when they’re at the doctor’s. I’ve curated them for three levels: lower intermediate, higher intermediate, and advanced.
These conversations show how to express illness by describing the symptoms in formal and informal situations.
Supplemented with audio, these conversations will help your students improve their listening and conversational speaking skills. You can use these to facilitate interactive exercises for students to gain confidence in medical contexts.
Table of Contents
Feeling Sick (Informal)
Level: Lower intermediate
Context: Friends on the phone.
Emma: Hi Sarah, how are you?
Sarah: Hi, Emma. I’m sick, have a fever.
Emma: Take medicine, rest, drink water.
Sarah: Okay. Thanks, Emma.
Emma: Call me if you need help.
Sarah: Thanks. Bye.
Emma: Bye. Take care.
Sore Throat (Formal)
Level: Lower intermediate
Context: Student and nurse.
Juan: Hello, my throat hurts.
Nurse Smith: Where does it hurt?
Juan: When I swallow food or water.
Nurse Smith: How long?
Juan: Since yesterday, getting worse.
Nurse Smith: Drink warm tea with honey.
Juan: Okay. Thanks.
Nurse Smith: Take care.
Headache (Informal)
Level: Lower intermediate
Context: Siblings at home.
David: Hi Lisa, you okay?
Lisa: Headache since morning.
David: Took medicine?
Lisa: Yes, not helping.
David: Rest in quiet room?
Lisa: I’ll try. Thanks.
David: Water?
Lisa: Yes, please. Thanks.
David: Feel better soon.
Feeling Nauseous (Formal)
Level: Lower intermediate
Context: Customer and pharmacist.
Mr. Lee: Feeling sick. Help?
Pharmacist: Describe symptoms.
Mr. Lee: Nauseous, dizzy.
Pharmacist: Unusual food?
Mr. Lee: No. Normal.
Pharmacist: Stomach virus maybe. Take medicine.
Mr. Lee: How often?
Pharmacist: Every six hours.
Mr. Lee: Okay. Thank you.
Pharmacist: Take care.
Stomach Pain (Informal)
Level: Lower intermediate
Context: Colleagues at work.
Anna: Mark, you okay?
Mark: Stomach hurts.
Anna: Eat something bad?
Mark: Maybe stress.
Anna: Try ginger tea.
Mark: Okay. Thanks.
Anna: Take care.
Mark: Thanks. You’re kind.
Explaining Symptoms to a Doctor (Formal)
Level: Higher intermediate
Context: A patient visiting a doctor’s office.
Maria: Good morning, Doctor. I’ve been feeling weak and dizzy.
Dr. Patel: Hello, Maria. When did these symptoms start?
Maria: About two days ago, and I’ve had a persistent headache.
Dr. Patel: Any nausea or fever accompanying these symptoms?
Maria: Yes, I’ve felt nauseous at times, but no fever.
Dr. Patel: I see. Have you experienced any recent changes in diet?
Maria: Not really, but I’ve been under a lot of stress lately.
Dr. Patel: Stress can contribute to your symptoms. Let’s run some tests.
Maria: Okay, thank you, Doctor.
Dr. Patel: We’ll get to the bottom of this. Stay hydrated in the meantime.
Maria: Will do. I appreciate your help.
Describing Allergies to a Friend (Informal)
Level: Higher intermediate
Context: Two friends having a casual conversation.
Alex: Hi Sophie, I can’t eat peanuts. I’m allergic.
Sophie: Really? I didn’t know that. What happens if you eat them?
Alex: I get itchy rashes and have trouble breathing.
Sophie: That sounds scary. Have you had any close calls?
Alex: Yeah, a few. But I always carry my allergy medication.
Sophie: Good idea. I’ll remember not to bring peanuts around you.
Alex: Thanks, Sophie. It means a lot.
Sophie: No problem, Alex. Safety first, right?
Reporting Symptoms to a Parent (Informal)
Level: Higher intermediate
Context: A teenager talking to their parent at home.
Emma: Dad, I’ve been feeling really tired and achy lately.
Dad: Oh no, that doesn’t sound good. Any other symptoms?
Emma: Yeah, I’ve been coughing a lot, and my throat hurts.
Dad: Have you taken your temperature? You might have a fever.
Emma: I did. It’s a little high, around 100.5°F.
Dad: Okay, let’s monitor it. Do you need anything?
Emma: Some soup and rest would be great.
Dad: I’ll make you some soup. Take it easy, okay?
Emma: Thanks, Dad. You’re the best.
Dad: Anything for my little superstar.
Discussing Symptoms with a Pharmacist (Formal)
Level: Higher intermediate
Context: A customer seeking advice from a pharmacist at a pharmacy.
Ms. Johnson: Hello, I’ve been experiencing abdominal pain and bloating.
Pharmacist: Good afternoon. Any other symptoms accompanying that?
Ms. Johnson: Yes, I’ve also had irregular bowel movements and nausea.
Pharmacist: I see. Have you had any changes in diet or medication?
Ms. Johnson: Not that I’m aware of, but it’s been persistent for a week.
Pharmacist: It might be a gastrointestinal issue. Let me recommend some options.
Ms. Johnson: Thank you, I appreciate your assistance.
Pharmacist: Of course, I hope you feel better soon. Consult a doctor if it persists.
Ms. Johnson: Will do. Thanks again.
Explaining Symptoms to a Colleague (Informal)
Level: Higher intermediate
Context: Two coworkers chatting during a break.
Tom: Hi Sarah, you seem a bit off today. Everything alright?
Sarah: Hey Tom, yeah, I’ve got a splitting headache and feel nauseous.
Tom: That sounds rough. Have you taken anything for it?
Sarah: Yeah, just some painkillers, but they’re not helping much.
Tom: Maybe you should go home and rest if you’re not feeling well.
Sarah: I wish I could, but there’s too much work to do.
Tom: Take it easy, alright? Your health comes first.
Sarah: Thanks, Tom. I’ll try to power through.
Tom: Let me know if you need anything. Take care.
Consulting a Specialist About Chronic Symptoms (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Mark, a patient with chronic health issues, meets Dr. Rodriguez, a specialist, for a consultation.
Mark: Good morning, Dr. Rodriguez. I’ve been experiencing persistent symptoms lately.
Dr. Rodriguez: Good morning, Mark. Please, describe your symptoms in detail.
Mark: Well, I’ve been having intermittent chest pains along with occasional shortness of breath.
Dr. Rodriguez: Have you noticed any patterns or triggers associated with these symptoms?
Mark: It seems to worsen after physical activity or during moments of stress.
Dr. Rodriguez: I see. Have you had any prior medical conditions or surgeries related to your heart?
Mark: No, none. But my family has a history of cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Rodriguez: That’s relevant information. I’ll schedule you for some diagnostic tests to assess your heart health.
Mark: Thank you, doctor. I appreciate your thorough approach to my concerns.
Dr. Rodriguez: It’s my duty to ensure we find the root cause of your symptoms. Let’s work together on this.
Mark: Absolutely. I’m committed to getting to the bottom of this.
Dr. Rodriguez: We’ll navigate this journey together, Mark. Stay optimistic.
Mark: I will. Thank you, Dr. Rodriguez.
Discussing Alternative Therapies for Chronic Pain (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Sarah, who suffers from chronic back pain, talks with her friend David about exploring alternative therapies.
Sarah: Hi David, do you have a minute? I wanted to discuss something with you.
David: Of course, Sarah. What’s on your mind?
Sarah: I’ve been researching alternative therapies for my chronic back pain.
David: That sounds interesting. What have you found so far?
Sarah: Acupuncture and CBD oil seem promising based on some studies I’ve read.
David: Have you considered consulting a specialist in those fields?
Sarah: Yes, I have appointments scheduled next week for consultations.
David: That’s proactive of you. I hope you find relief soon.
Sarah: Thank you, David. I’m hopeful these therapies will improve my quality of life.
David: Keep me updated on your progress. I’m rooting for you.
Sarah: Will do. Your support means a lot to me.
David: Anytime, Sarah. We’re in this together.
Sarah: Indeed. Thanks again, David.
Exploring Holistic Approaches to Wellness (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Emma, a health enthusiast, converses with a holistic wellness coach, Mrs. Thompson, about lifestyle changes.
Emma: Good afternoon, Mrs. Thompson. I’m interested in holistic approaches to wellness.
Mrs. Thompson: Good afternoon, Emma. I’m glad you’re exploring holistic health practices. What specific areas are you focusing on?
Emma: I’m particularly interested in incorporating mindfulness techniques into my daily routine to manage stress better.
Mrs. Thompson: Mindfulness is an excellent starting point. Have you tried meditation or yoga before?
Emma: Yes, I practice yoga occasionally but struggle to maintain consistency.
Mrs. Thompson: Consistency is key. Perhaps setting a structured schedule would help. Additionally, dietary changes and herbal supplements can complement your wellness journey.
Emma: That sounds comprehensive. I’ll explore those options further. Thank you for your guidance.
Mrs. Thompson: You’re welcome, Emma. Remember, holistic wellness is about nurturing the mind, body, and spirit.
Emma: I appreciate the holistic approach. It aligns with my values of overall well-being.
Mrs. Thompson: I’m here to support your journey toward optimal health. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Emma: I will. Thank you, Mrs. Thompson.
Seeking Advice from a Nutritionist (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: James, who struggles with dietary issues, seeks advice from his friend Olivia, a nutritionist.
James: Hi Olivia, I hope you’re doing well. I could use some nutritional advice.
Olivia: Hi James, I’m here to help. What’s going on?
James: I’ve been experiencing digestive discomfort after meals lately.
Olivia: Have you kept a food journal to track what you’re eating?
James: Yes, I have. But I’m still unsure about the root cause.
Olivia: It could be food sensitivities or an imbalance in your gut microbiome.
James: That makes sense. Any recommendations for improving gut health?
Olivia: Probiotics, fermented foods, and reducing processed foods might help.
James: I’ll give those a try. Thanks for the advice, Olivia.
Olivia: No problem, James. Let me know how it goes.
James: Will do. Thanks again for your expertise.
Olivia: Anytime. Take care, James.
Discussing Preventive Health Measures (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: A panel discussion featuring Dr. Chang, a public health expert, and attendees discussing preventive health measures.
Dr. Chang: Good evening, everyone. Today, we’ll discuss preventive health measures to enhance longevity and well-being.
Attendee 1: Dr. Chang, what role does exercise play in preventive health?
Dr. Chang: Exercise is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health, strengthening the immune system, and promoting mental well-being.
Attendee 2: What about dietary interventions? Are there specific foods we should focus on?
Dr. Chang: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can bolster immune function and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Attendee 3: How do lifestyle factors like stress impact preventive health?
Dr. Chang: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system and contribute to various health issues. Incorporating stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises is paramount.
Attendee 4: Are there any screenings or vaccinations we should prioritize for preventive care?
Dr. Chang: Routine screenings for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, along with staying up-to-date on vaccinations, are essential preventive measures.
Attendee 5: Thank you, Dr. Chang, for your insights. Implementing these strategies seems crucial for overall health.
Dr. Chang: My pleasure. Remember, preventive health is a proactive approach to wellness that empowers individuals to take control of their health destinies.
Attendee 6: Let’s commit to prioritizing preventive care in our lives. Thank you, Dr. Chang.
Dr. Chang: Thank you all for your engagement. Together, we can build healthier communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing conversations about describing the basic symptoms of diseases is vital for ESL learners. By utilizing the provided resources, both students and teachers can enhance their communication skills and confidence in medical contexts.
