Booking a doctor's visit: making simple requests

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for A1 learners explores Booking a doctor's visit: making simple requests through a real article. Across 10 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: making requests with 'can' with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for calling a clinic to make an appointment
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings

Lesson activities (10 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
3. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
4. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
5. Grammar — Study making requests with 'can' — explanation, examples, and key rules.
6. Fill the gaps — Complete sentences with the correct vocabulary. Drag and drop or type your answers.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for calling a clinic to make an appointment — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Multiple choice — Choose the correct answer from four options — testing comprehension and language use.
9. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the article:

• make an appointment — to arrange a time to see a doctor.
• feel sick — to feel that you are not well.
• take medicine — to eat or drink something to help you feel better when you are sick.
• get a prescription — to get a paper from the doctor for special medicine from a pharmacy.
• health card — a small card with your information that you show at a clinic or hospital.

Grammar

This lesson focuses on making requests with 'can'.

We use 'Can I...?' to ask for something in a polite way. It is very useful when you call a clinic to make a doctor's appointment.

Examples from the lesson:

• Can I make an appointment for Tuesday? — Use 'Can I...?' + a verb (make, see, have) to ask for something.
• I can come in the morning. — Use 'I can...' to say what is possible for you. This is a statement, not a question.
• Can I see Dr. Evans, please? — Add 'please' at the end of your question to be extra polite.

Key rules:

• Use 'Can I...?' to ask for things.
• Use 'I can...' to say what is possible.
• Remember the question mark (?) for questions.

Practical English

Calling a clinic to make an appointment

When you need to see a doctor, you usually need to call the clinic first. Here are some simple phrases to help you book your visit over the phone.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "Hello, I'd like to see a doctor."
• "I have a cold."
• "Is morning possible?"
• "Yes, 10 a.m. is good."
• "What do I need to bring?"