A1 · Beginner · Health and body care
At the doctor
6 short A1 English scripts to practise how to at the doctor. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase It hurts when I…
Open wide, Deniz
Good morning. I've got an appointment at ten. My name's Deniz Aksoy.
The nurse says, "Take a seat in the waiting room, please." I sit next to a little boy with a football. He says, "My ear hurts." I say, "Mine too. It's the music in here!"
Later, the doctor says, "Open wide." I say, "Ahh." She laughs. "Not you, Deniz. The boy!"
American English
Hi. I have a ten o'clock appointment. My name is Deniz Aksoy.
The nurse says, "Please take a seat in the waiting room." I sit next to a little boy with a soccer ball. He says, "My ear hurts." I say, "Mine too. It's the music in here!"
Later, the doctor says, "Open wide." I say, "Ahh." She laughs. "Not you, Deniz. The boy!"
No phone in bed
"How long have you had it?" the doctor asks. "Three weeks," I say. "I'm tired all day, and I cough at night."
"Please lie down. I'll have a look. Breathe in… and out. Good." She smiles. "You need a blood test, Murat."
"Is it serious?" "No. But no phone in bed at two in the morning!"
American English
"How long have you had it?" the doctor asks. "Three weeks," I say. "I'm exhausted all day, and I cough at night."
"Please lie down on the table. I'll take a look. Breathe in… and out. Good." She smiles. "You need a blood test, Murat."
"Is it serious?" "No. But no phone in bed at 2 a.m.!"
Voice note from the surgery
Hi Aysel, it's me. I'm still at the surgery. The doctor says my back is very painful because I carried the sofa on Sunday. Her advice? Take it easy. For two weeks!
Also, the nurse is giving me a flu jab today. I hate needles! Please don't laugh.
The doctor wants me to come back on the twelfth. Don't tell the kids about the sofa.
American English
Hi Aysel, it's me. I'm still at the doctor's office. The doctor says my back is really painful because I carried the couch on Sunday. His advice? Take it easy. For two weeks!
Also, the nurse is giving me a flu shot today. I hate needles! Please don't laugh.
He wants me to come back on the twelfth. Don't tell the kids about the couch.
My new GP
Hi Sis! I've got a new GP in Leeds. Her surgery is near the station, so that's easy. Today I got my results from the blood test.
The good news: I'm fine. The bad news: I've got a small throat infection. One tablet, three times a day, with food.
She also says, "Stop reading medical websites." She's right. I have three new illnesses now.
American English
Hi Sis! I have a new family doctor in Austin. Her doctor's office is near the bus stop, so that's easy. Today I got my results from the blood test.
The good news: I'm fine. The bad news: I have a small throat infection. One pill, three times a day, with food.
She also says, "Stop reading medical websites." She's right. I have three new illnesses now.
Dad and the bread knife
Mum? Don't worry. Dad cut his finger with the bread knife. He's okay. It's nothing serious.
The nurse put a big bandage on it. Then I said, "Careful, Dad, don't fall over!" And he fell over the cat.
The cat is fine. Dad is fine. The bread is very, very fine. We're coming home soon.
American English
Mom? Don't worry. Dad cut his finger with the bread knife. He's okay. It's nothing serious.
The nurse put a big bandage on it. Then I said, "Careful, Dad, don't fall over!" And he fell over the cat.
The cat is fine. Dad is fine. The bread is totally fine. We're coming home soon.
A plaster with a dinosaur
Mum, it's me. I'm outside the doctor's with Zeynep. Don't worry, it's only her check-up.
The doctor asks, "Are you brave, Zeynep?" She says yes. Then she cries for a minute. Then she gets a plaster with a dinosaur on it, and she says, "I feel better!"
Now she wants a plaster for her teddy too. I want one as well. Mine has a unicorn on it.
American English
Mom, it's me. I'm outside the doctor's office with Zeynep. Don't worry, it's just her check-up.
The doctor asks, "Are you brave, Zeynep?" She says yes. Then she cries for a minute. Then she gets a Band-Aid with a dinosaur on it, and she says, "I feel better!"
Now she wants a Band-Aid for her teddy bear too. I want one as well. Mine has a unicorn on it.
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| nurse noun | a person who helps the doctor and looks after patients |
| waiting room noun | the room where you sit before you see the doctor |
| take a seat phrase | a polite way to say "sit down" |
| open wide phrase | open your mouth as much as you can |