Unit 2: Health Care

1. Healthy habits
2. Healthy diets
3. Unhealthy habits
4. Story: unhealthy American habits
5. Story comprehension questions
6. More vs. less/ too much vs. not enough
7. Symptoms and illness
8. Dialogue: an illness
9. Describing pain
10. Dialogue: illnesses and symptoms
11. Describing symptoms
12. Symptoms survey
13. Dialogue: calling in sick
14. Prevention/ frequency
15. Story: Bao’s health
16. Story comprehension questions
17. Flu shots
18. Self care
19. Medicine
20. Taking medicine
21. Dosage/ how much vs. how many
22. Medicines and common illnesses
23. Side-effects
24. Story: Does Vang need to see the doctor?
25. Story comprehension questions
26. Vocabulary matching
27. Finding a clinic
28. Calling a clinic
29. A clinic phone message
30. Closed reading: a clinic phone message
31. Dialogue: changing your appointment
32. Dialogue comprehension questions
33. Patient rights
34. Patient responsibilities
35. Asking questions as a patient
36. Dialogue: a visit to the clinic
37. Dialogue comprehension questions
38. A medical exam
39. Questions at the exam
40. Questions about a prescription
41. When and what questions
42. Dialogue: dropping off a prescription

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 43. Dialogue: picking up a prescription
44. Insurance and payment
45. Cultural comparisons
46. Could vs. should and health options
47. Clinics vs. hospitals
48. Types of health care
49. Health care vocabulary matching
50. Stress
51. Solutions to stress

Materials: medical waiver form, body parts flash cards, local health care directory or
pamphlets, sample prescriptions and over the counter medications, appointment cards,

Additional Activities:
Find affordable health care resources (phonebook)
Guest speaker from a health care clinic
Journal of healthy habits
Cultural sharing of health care methods and strategies

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Lesson Topic: Healthy Habits

Objectives: Identify and describe different types of healthy habits.

ESL Level: High beginning

Grammar: forms questions using “does.”

Vocabulary:
Healthy habits exercise diet enjoy
Teacher notes:
• Warm-up: Pass out the worksheet. Point to each picture and say the vocabulary
word. Discuss what types of housing each student lives in.
• Read the paragraph out loud to your class. Then read each sentence one by one.
Have students circle new vocabulary, elicit simple definitions from students and write
on the board or on an overhead for other students to copy. Review pronunciation of
new vocabulary words. Read the paragraph a second time and then have two students
read the paragraph for the class. Correct pronunciation errors which arise by repeating
the correct pronunciation as a group after each reading.
• Ask the class to read the paragraph together in pairs listening and helping eachother
with pronunciation problems. They will naturally discuss meaning together as well.
• Check for comprehension by asking the class to fill in the correct vocabulary words.
• Ask your class to write two sentences about housing.
Examples: I live in an apartment. My cousin lives in a house. I want to buy a house,
too.

Extension activities:
Compare types of housing in between the U.S. and other countries.
Find pictures of different types of housing and ask the students to identify each picture
correctly.
Match the type of housing with the correct number of persons living in the unit.

Useful resources: Pictures from newspapers and magazines, a copy of a rental magazine

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Healthy Habits
Vocabulary: healthy habit exercise enjoy

Present continuous vs. Present Simple: Change the verb.

Ex: I exercise. I am exercising.
1. She sleeps in bed. ___________________________________.
2. He drinks water. ____________________________________.
3. I rest at home. ______________________________________.
4. We visit my family. __________________________________.
5.They eat fish. _______________________________________.
6. She enjoys the sun. __________________________________.

Write a sentence. Use the word and the preposition.

Ex: He/ to eat. He eats vegetables.
1. I/ sleep. _____________________________________.
2. She/ exercise _________________________________.
3. He/ enjoy ____________________________________.
4. She/ drink ___________________________________.
5. I/ work _____________________________________.
6. He/ rest _____________________________________.

Discussion Question: What things do you do that are healthy?

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 A Healthy Diet
Vocabulary: diet healthy strong

People need to eat food. There are many kinds of food that
you can eat. Your diet is all of the food that you eat. Some food is
healthy. Some food is not healthy. Healthy foods are good for
you. They help you stay strong and live a long time.

1. Your diet is all of the ________ that you eat.

2. Healthy foods are ____________ for you.
3. Healthy foods help you stay ___________.

What kinds of food do you eat?

1. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________

Write three foods that are healthy:

1. _________________________.
2. _________________________.
3. _________________________.

Write three foods that are NOT healthy:

1. ___________________________.
2. ___________________________.
3. ___________________________.

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Healthy Habits:
1. eat a good diet
2. sleep 8 hours at night
3. exercise your body
4. drink water
5. do things you like
6. enjoy your friends and family

Match the word with the correct phrase.

1. Drink ___ a. a good diet
2. Exercise___ b. water
3. Enjoy ___ c. your family and friends
4. Sleep ___ d. things you like
5. Eat ___ e. your body
6. Do ___ f. 8 hours at night

Healthy Habits Survey: Ask a partner.

1. Do you eat a good diet? Yes No
2. Do you sleep at night? Yes No
3. Do you exercise your body? Yes No
4. Do you enjoy your family? Yes No
5. Do you do things you like? Yes No
6. Do you drink water? Yes No

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Habits that are NOT Healthy:
1. smoke cigarettes
2. drink alcohol
3. eat too much junk food
4. sit all day
5. work too hard
6. no sleep

You sit at work all day. You need to exercise your body.
You work very hard all day. You need to rest your body.

1. Do you smoke? Yes No

2. Do you drink alcohol? Yes No
3. Do you eat too much junk food? Yes No
4. Do you sit all day? Yes No
5. Do you work very hard? Yes No
5. Do you sleep? Yes No
6. Do you rest your body? Yes No

I sit all day. I need to _______________.

I work very hard. I need to ____________.

Junk foods: fast food, candy, soda pop, chips, French fries.

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 Unhealthy American Habits

Meliha and her children live in St. Paul. She is from

Somalia. She came to the U.S. five years ago. Many things are
different in America. American food is very different from Somali
food. You can buy junk food with fat, sugar, and oil. Americans
don’t walk as much as people in Somalia. You can drive a car or
take the bus. Meliha sees many overweight people in America.
Meliha’s children like junk food. They like to eat
hamburgers and French fries. She does too. She notices that she
gains weight in America. Her children like to watch T.V. They do
not go outside to play. Meliha doesn’t walk very much because
she has a car.
Meliha goes to the doctor. The doctor says she has to eat
more fruits and vegetables. He says that too much junk food like
chips, fries, and sugar is bad for her health. He tells her that she
needs to get more exercise. He says that too much fat and not
enough exercise is bad for her. It is bad for her children, too.
Meliha doesn’t know if the doctor is right or wrong.

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Comprehension Questions: Yes or No?
1. Meliha has children. Yes No
2. Meliha is from Ethiopia. Yes No
3. American food is the same as Somali food. Yes No
4. People walk more in Somalia. Yes No
5. Some people in America are overweight. Yes No
6. Her children like French fries. Yes No
7. Meliha loses weight in America Yes No
8. Meliha likes to watch T.V. Yes No
9. Meliha drives a car. Yes No
10. Meliha goes to the doctor. Yes No

The doctor says:

11. Eat less a. junk food b. water
12. Exercise a. more b. less
13. Too much sugar is a. good b. bad
14. Too much fat is a. good b. bad

Discussion questions:
1. How can Meliha get more exercise?
2. What kinds of foods can she eat that are good for her?
3. Do you agree with her doctor?
4. Do you think most Americans are healthy? Why or why not?

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What do you need--More or less?
Ex: Reflie is sad. He needs to do more things that he likes.
1. I am tired. I need ________ sleep.
2. Sadiya is late. She needs _______ time.
3. Kao is lonely. He needs _________ friends.
4. John is overweight. He needs ________ exercise.
5. Tun is hungry. He needs __________ fresh food.
6. Bee works very hard. She needs ________ rest.
7. Lee Pao is busy. He needs ________ work.
8. Hang is thirsty. She needs _______ water.
9. You are very thin. You need _________ fat.

What do have? Too much or not enough?

Ex: I am tired. I do not get enough sleep.
1. Tan is overweight. He ____________________ exercise.
2. Ellen is thirsty. She __________________ water.
3. He sits at home all day. He _________________ rest.
4. Warsame works very hard. He ________________ rest.
5. Vang likes French fries. He ______________ fat.
6. Ronak sits all day. He _________________ exercise.
7. Chue drinks beer. She ____________________ alcohol.
8. Maria has two jobs. She ___________________ work.
9. My children eat candy. They __________________ sugar.

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Symptoms and Illnesses
Vocabulary: body feels sick head hurts
headache runny cold

What hurts? What can you say?

My body feels bad.
I am sick.

My head hurts.
I have a headache.

My nose is runny.
I have a cold.

Circle the correct word.

1. My body feels bad. I am __________ (healthy/sick).
2. My head hurts. I have a ___________ (headache/cough).
3. My nose is runny. I have a ___________ (hot/cold).

Match the sentences.

1. My body feels bad. __ a. I have a cold
2. My head hurts. __ b. I am sick.
3. My nose is runny. __ c. I have a headache.

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 Write the correct word.
1. My _________ feels bad. (body/sick)
2. My ________ hurts. (headache/head)
3. My _______ is runny. (nose/head).
4. I am _________. (nose/sick).
5. I have a _________. (cold/body).
6. I have a ____________. (sick/headache).

To be or to have?
Ex: I have a cold.
1. I _____ sick. 2. I _____ a nose.
3. I _____ cold. 4. I _____ a head.
5. I _____ a headache. 6. I ______ a body.

Read the dialogue. Practice it with a partner.

Abebe: How are you doing?
Bee: Not good. I feel bad.
Abebe: What’s wrong?
Bee: I have a runny nose. My head hurts.
Abebe: Maybe you have a cold.
Bee: Yeah. I think so.

Discussion Question: What do you do if you feel sick?

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Describing Pain
Vocabulary: throat sore cough
fever stomach flu
My throat is sore.
I have a cough.

My body feels hot.

I have a fever.

My stomach hurts.
I have the flu.

Circle the correct word.

1. My throat is sore. I have a __________ (cough/sick).
2. My body feels hot. I have a __________ (headache/fever).
3. My stomach hurts. I have the ________ (body/flu).

Match the sentences.

1. My throat is sore. __ a. I have the flu.
2. My body feels hot. __ b. I have a cough.
3. My stomach hurts. __ c. I have a fever.

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Write the Correct word.
1. My _______ is sore. (throat/hurts).
2. My body feels ______. (sick/hot).
3. My ____________ hurts. (stomach/flu).
4. I have the ______. (cough/flu).
5. I have a _________. (fever/feels).
6. I have a __________. (cough/flu).

Match the body parts and the feeling.

1. body __ a. sore
2. stomach __ b. hot
3. throat __ c. hurts

Read the dialogue. Practice it with a partner.

Pang Vue: My head hurts. My body hurts too.
Fatuma: Do you have a cold?
Pang Vue: I don’t know.
Fatuma: Do you feel hot?
Pang Vue: Yes. My body aches, and I feel sick.
Fatuma: I think you have a fever.

Discussion Questions: When you are sick, many parts of your body
feel bad. How do you tell someone where it hurts?

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Symptoms and Illness
Vocabulary: symptom illness congestion
chills vomit Pneumonia

You have symptoms. Your symptoms tell you that you are
sick. A sore throat is a kind of symptom. A stomach ache is a
kind of symptom. A fever is a kind of symptom.
You have an illness. You are not well. A cold is a kind of
illness. A fever is a kind of illness. The flu is a kind of illness.

Illness Symptoms
Sick tired, body hurts,
Headache head hurts, can’t sit up
Cold runny nose, tired, headache,
congestion
Cough sore throat, coughing, hurts to
swallow
Fever your body feels cold or very hot,
chills, sweating
Flu stomach ache, nausea, vomiting,
a fever, muscle ache, chills

How do you know you have a fever? Use a thermometer to find

your temperature. If it is more than 98.6 degrees, you have a fever.

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Symptom or Illness? Check the word. Symptom Illness
1. stomach ache ___ ___
2. vomiting ___ ___
3. flu ___ ___
4. fever ___ ___
5. cold ___ ___
6. runny nose ___ ___
7. headache ___ ___
8. coughing ___ ___

Are you sick? Read the questions with a partner. Yes or no?
1. Cold Do you feel bad? ___
2. Stomach ache Do you have nausea? ___
3. Sore throat Do you have a cough? ___
4. Fever Do you have chills? ___
5. Headache Does your head hurt? ___
6. Flu Do your muscles ache? ___
7. Cold Do you have a runny nose? ___
8. Fever Does your body feel hot? ___

How many syllables? One Two Three

1. flu ___ ___ ___
2. fever ___ ___ ___
3. throat ___ ___ ___
4. stomach ___ ___ ___
5. ache ___ ___ ___
6. muscle ___ ___ ___
7. headache ___ ___ ___
8. cold ___ ___ ___
9. pneumonia ___ ___ ___

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Dialogue: Calling in Sick
Neng is sick. He calls his boss to tell him.

Vocabulary: nausea fever sounds like flu rest

Boss: Hello?

Neng: Hi. This is Neng.

Boss: How are you doing?

Neng. Bad. I’m sick. I have nausea and a fever.

Boss: It sounds like you have the flu.

Neng: I can’t come in to work today.

Boss: I’m sorry. Stay in bed and get some rest.

Neng: That’s what I’m going to do.

Match the symptom and the illness.

1. Stomach ache___ a. fever
2. feel very hot__ b. very sick, high fever
3. cough a lot__ c. sore throat
4. runny nose__ d. cold
5. sneezing __ e. congestion
6. pneumonia__ f. stomach flu

Tips: Always call your work or your school if you are sick. Tell
them your symptoms. Tell them if you are going to stay home.

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Prevention
You do not want to get sick. What can you do to stay healthy?

vocabulary: doctor annual check-up

rest exercise flu shot

1. Visit the doctor every year. Get an annual check-up.

2. Take care of yourself and your family.
3. Drink water, exercise and sleep every day.
4. If you start to feel sick, get a lot of rest.
5. Get an annual flu shot.

Circle the correct word.

1. Visit the _________ (store/doctor).
2. Get an annual __________ (check-up/water).
3. Get a lot of ________ (smoke/rest).
4. Help your body get _________ (worse/better).
5. Get an annual ___________ (flu shot/sleep).

How often do you…

1. Sleep Every day Every week Every year
2. Exercise Every day Every week Every year
3. Visit the doctor Every day Every week Every year
4. Rest Every day Every week Every year
5. Get a flu shot Every day Every week Every year

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 Bao’s Health
Bao is very healthy. She walks every day. She does not
smoke. She sleeps every night. She goes to the doctor every year.
Bao does not want to get sick. She does things to prevent illness.
If Bao feels sick, she takes lots of time to rest. If she doesn’t rest,
she feels sicker. Bao doesn’t get sick very often because she takes
good care of her body.

Yes or no? Bao… Yes No

1. is healthy. Yes No
2. smokes. Yes No
3. goes to the doctor. Yes No
4. wants to get sick. Yes No
5. wants to prevent illness. Yes No
6. takes time to rest. Yes No
7. gets sick often. Yes No

1. Why does Bao sleep every day?

2. When does Bao go to the doctor?
3. Write three things that Bao does to stay healthy.
____________ _______________ _______________
Discussion Questions: What do you do to stay healthy? What do
you do if you start to feel sick? Do you have a doctor?

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Flu Shots
Stay healthy. Get a flu shot every year.
Vocabulary: virus sliding scale health insurance
Fall costs clinic

• A flu shot kills the viruses that make you sick. You will not
get the flu if you have had a shot.
• A flu shot costs money. It costs $10 or $15. You pay on a
sliding scale if you do not have health insurance.
• You can get flu shots in the fall (October or November).
• There are many places where you can get a shot: go to a
clinic, a store, the public school, or call your doctor.

Circle the word. Write the word.

1. A flu shot kills the _______ (viruses/gun) .
2. A flu shot costs ___________ (money/health).
3. You pay on a ________________ (sliding scale/free).
4. You do not need _____________(a doctor/health insurance).
5. Get a flu shot in the ____________(spring/fall).
Where can you get a flu shot? Write two places.
1. ________________ 2. ____________________

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Get Better
What can you do to get better if you are sick?

1. stay at home and rest

2. visit the doctor
3. stay clean and wash your hands
4. do not share food
5. cover your mouth when you sneeze
6. drink lots of water
7. take medicine
8. do not smoke or drink alcohol

Write the correct word.

1. Stay at ___________ and rest. (home/work)
2. Stay clean and ___________ your hands. (sit on/wash)
3. Visit the __________ (restaurant/doctor)
4. Do not _____________ food (buy/share).
5. Drink lots of _____________ (water/beer).
6. Cover your __________(head/mouth) when you sneeze.
7. Take _______________ (medicine/time).
8. Do not smoke or ____________ alcohol (share/drink).

Discussion Questions:
What do you do to get better when you are sick?
What do people in your country do when they are sick?
Do you stay home when you are sick? Why or why not?

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Medicine
Vocabulary: medicine drug grocery
“over the counter” generic brand expensive
You are sick. You need medicine. Medicine is a drug. It
helps your body get better.
You buy medicine at the grocery store or the drug store. It is
an “over the counter” drug. You do not need a doctor’s note.
You buy medicine that is cheap. The store sells a “generic
brand.” It is less expensive than a name brand.

Circle the correct word. Write the word.

1. You are sick. You need ____________ (medicine/money).
2. Medicine is a ___________ (cold/drug).
3. You buy medicine at the __________ (grocery/clothes) store.
4. You buy an “_______ (under/over) the counter” drug.
5. You buy medicine that is ________ (expensive/cheap).
6. The store sells a ____________ (generic/name) brand.

Match the word and the definition:

1. Medicine __ a. helps you get better
2. Over the counter __ b. store sells a cheap drug
3. Drug __ c. a kind of drug
4. Generic brand __ d. buy medicine at the store

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Types of Medicine
What kinds of medicine can you take?

Medicine Looks like

Capsule

Pill

tablet

liquid

cough drop

Taking Medicine
Vocabulary: label directions dosage

1. Find the label on the box.

2. Read the directions.

3. Follow the dosage.

Directions: How do you take the medicine?

1. Take one or two pills with water.
2. Chew two tablets. Eat a meal.
3. Swallow two capsules after eating.
4. Swallow two teaspoons.

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Dosage
Vocabulary: pill tablet capsule teaspoon
swallow chew “daily” “as needed”
How much medicine do you take?
How often do you take it?
1. Take one to two pills every four hours.
How much: __________ How often: ____________
2. Take one tablet every four to six hours. _______
How much: __________ How often: ____________
3. Take one capsule every eight hours. ________
How much: __________ How often: ____________
4. Take two teaspoons every four hours. _______
How much: __________ How often: ____________
5. Take one drop as needed. _______
How much: __________ How often: ____________

Write the correct word:

1. Swallow two _______ (hours/pills).
2. Take one tablet every four (chew/hours).
3. Take two capsules with ________ (water/label).
4. Take one tablet every _______ (eat/six) hours.
5. Drink two ___________ (teaspoons/cups) of liquid.
6. Chew one tablet daily with a _________ (meal/take).

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Common Medicines
Vocabulary: aspirin Tylenol cough drops Sudafed

Take aspirin for: headache stomach ache fever

Take Sudafed for: flu fever congestion cold
Take cough drops for: sore throat cough

Circle the word:

1. Headache a. Sudafed b. aspirin
2. Fever a. Sudafed b. cough drops
3. Stomach ache a. aspirin b. Sudafed
4. Flu a. Sudafed b. cough drops
5. Congestion a. Sudafed b. aspirin
6. Cough a. aspirin b. cough drops

Write the correct word. Read the sentence with a partner

1. I have congestion. I take __________ (Sudafed/cough drops).
2. I have a headache. I take __________ (Sudafed/aspirin).
3. I have a fever. I take ____________ (Sudafed/cough drops).
4. I have a stomach ache. I take ___________ (aspirin/Sudafed).

Discussion questions: What kinds of medicine do you buy? What

brand do you like best? Which brands are less expensive?

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Side-Effects
Vocabulary: better worse side-effects nausea
dizziness fatigue rash
You take medicine. You do not feel better. You feel worse.
Some medicine has “side-effects.” Sometimes the drugs in the
medicine make your body feel bad or funny.
Side-effects:
1. nausea: you feel like throwing up

2. rash: your skin gets red or bumpy

3. dizziness: you can’t stand up

4. fatigue: you feel tired and sleepy

Circle the correct side-effect:

1. His skin is red and bumpy. a. nausea b. rash
2. She feels very tired. a. fatigue b. rash
3. He has to sit down. a. dizziness b. nausea
4. My stomach feels funny. a. fatigue b. nausea

Note: Do not take more medicine if you feel sick. Stop taking the
medicine.

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 Does Vang need to see a doctor?

Vang is sick. He has a runny nose, congestion, and a

headache. He buys medicine at the store to help him feel better.
Vang goes to work the next day and he starts to feel worse. He
gets chills and his body aches. His wife takes his temperature and
he has a fever. She says, “Vang, you have the flu.” Vang stays
home from work. He takes more medicine. After three days he
doesn’t feel better. His temperature is still very high. Vang’s wife
tells him, “You need to see a doctor soon.”

Answer the questions:

1. Vang is a. sick b. healthy
2. Vang has a. congestion b. a stomach ache
3. He buys medicine at the a. store b. doctor
3. Vang goes to work. He a. feels better b. feels worse
4. Vang is hot. He has a a. fever b. work.
5. His wife says, “You have a. the flu b. a cold
6. His temperature is still a. low b. high
7. His wife says, a. see a doctor b. go to work

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Circle the word that is not the same:
1. a. runny nose b. work c. headache d. congestion
2. a. medicine b. has c. is d. goes
3. a. work b. store c. starts d. home
4. a. chills b. ache c. fever d. worse
5. a. Vang b. flu c. wife d. doctor
6. a. still b. sick c. next d. soon

Time: Write the correct word.

1. Vang goes to work the __________ (last/next) day.
2. Vang __________ (starts/ends) to feel worse.
3. Vang stays home _________ (from/to) work.
4. ___________ (For/after) three days he doesn’t feel better.
5. His temperature is __________ (just/still) very high.
6. Vang’s wife says, “See a doctor _____________ (soon/later).”

Change the verb from present to past tense.

Ex: To say. I said hello to her.
1. To go. Vang _______ to work.
2. To start. He _________ to feel worse.
3. To stay. He __________ home from work.
4. To do. He ________n’t feel better.

Discussion questions: Does Vang need to go to the doctor?

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Circle the correct verb.
1. Feel/take sick. 8. Take/sit your temperature.
2. Get/want better. 9. Have/be a fever.
3. Stay/go at home. 10. Read/say the label.
4. Rest/talk your body. 10. Take/give a capsule.
5. Take/spend care of yourself. 11. Swallow/chew the pill.
6. Sleep/work at home. 12. Drink/eat water.
7. Have/are a stomach ache. 13. Go/stay to the doctor.

Match the word and the definition:

1. symptoms __ a. very high fever, you feel hot
2. side-effects __ b. drugs you buy to feel better
3. temperature __ c. you take one with water
4. medicine __ d. where you feel sick, what hurts
5. capsule __ e. the medicine makes you feel bad

Write the correct word:

Rest doctor Cold worse aspirin
1. You feel sick. You have a _________.
2. You buy medicine. You take __________.
3. You stay at home and __________.
4. You have a fever. You feel _________.
5. You need to go to the ____________.

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Finding a Clinic
Vocabulary: clinic sign interpreter
services general care appointment

Read the sign:

HealthEast – Rice Street Clinic

1006 Rice Street
St. Paul, MN 55117
(651) 489-8061

Open Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Interpreters all by appointment

Services: General family care for all ages.

Answer the questions:

1. What is the name of the clinic? ________________________
2. What is the location? ______________________________
______________________________
3. What is the phone number? ______________________
4. What days is the clinic open? _______________________
5. What are the clinic hours? _______________________
6. Do they have interpreters? ___________________
7. What are the services? ______________________
8. What ages do they take? _______________________

Discussion questions: Where can you find a clinic in your city?

Who can help you find a clinic?

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Calling a Clinic
Vocabulary: interpreter patient walk-in
appointment located insurance

You call a clinic for the first time.

What questions do you ask? Practice the questions with a partner.

1. Do you have an interpreter?

2. Are you taking new patients?
3. Where are you located?
4. Do I need insurance?
5. How do I make an appointment?

Write the correct word:

1. Do you have an _____________?
2. Are you taking new _________ ?
3. Where are you _______________?
4. Do I need _________________?
5. How do I make an ______________?

Note: At some clinics you can only make same day appointments.
You need to call as soon as the clinic is open to make an
appointment for that day.

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A Clinic Phone Message
Vocabulary: clinic walk-in emergency regular
Patient fill renew prescription schedule

Read the Message:

Thank you for calling Open Cities Health Clinic. Our regular
walk-in hours are from 8 am to 9 pm, Monday through Friday, and
12 noon to 5 pm on Saturdays. If this is an emergency, call 911. If
you are a regular patient at the clinic, press 1. If you are a new
patient, press 2. To fill or renew a prescription, press 3. To
schedule an appointment, please call back during our office hours.
To leave a message with the receptionist, press 0 or stay on the
line. To hear this message again, press 4.

Write the correct word:

1. Thank you for calling Open Cities Health _________.
2. The walk-in hours are 8 am to ___ pm, Monday through Friday.
3. The walk-in hours are 12 noon to 5 pm on ______________.
4. If you are a regular ____________, press 1.
5. If you are a new patient, press ___.
6. To fill or renew a ______________, press 3.
7. To schedule an appointment, please _______ back.
8. To leave a ___________ for the receptionist, press 0.

32
Match the vocabulary word with the definition:
1. walk-in __ a. the place to see a doctor
2. patient __ b. the person who is sick
3. clinic __ c. you need to schedule an
4. appointment __ d. you go to the clinic, but you do not
have an appointment
Finish the sentence:
1. I call the __________ (clinic/store).
2. I am a new ____________ (student/patient).
3. I want an ____________ (appointment/dinner).
4. I need to _____________ (schedule/regular) the appointment.

Closed Listening:
Listen to your teacher read the message. Write down the missing
words that you hear.

Thank you for calling Open Cities Health __________. Our

regular ___________ hours are from 8 am to 9 pm, Monday
through Friday, and 12 noon to 5 pm on Saturdays. If this is an
____________, call 911. If you are a ____________ patient at the
clinic, press 1. If you are a _______ patient, press 2. To fill or
renew a _________________, press 3. To schedule an
_______________, please call back during our office hours. To
leave a _________________ with the receptionist, press 0 or stay
on the line. To hear this message ________, press 4.

33
Dialogue: Changing your appointment
Rafael made an appointment with his dentist. He is busy and she
can’t go to the appointment. What does he do?

Vocabulary: patient appointment reschedule

openings “make it” “work”

Veronica: Hello, St. Paul Dentist. How can I help you?

Rafael: Hi, my name is Rafael Sanchez. I can’t make it to my

appointment tomorrow.

Veronica: Okay. Do you want to reschedule?

Rafael: Yes.

Veronica: There are some openings next week in the morning.

How does 10 am next Tuesday sound?

Rafael: I can’t make it then. I work in the mornings.

Veronica: How about 3:00 on Wednesday?

Rafael: Yes, I can come then.

Veronica: Alright, then I’ll change your appointment. We’ll see

you on Wednesday at 3 pm.

Rafael: Thank you. See you later.

Note: Always try to go to your appointment. Call the office if you

need to cancel the appointment. Re-schedule another appointment.

34
Yes or no? Answer the questions.
1. Rafael calls the Doctor. a. Yes b. No
2. Rafael can’t make his appointment. a. Yes b. No
3. He wants to reschedule. a. Yes b. No
4. There are openings in the morning. a. Yes b. No
5. Rafael can come on Monday. a. Yes b. No
6. Rafael can come on Wednesday. a. Yes b. No
7. Rafael can come at 3:00 pm. a. Yes b. No
8. His appointment is at 3:00 am. a. Yes b. No

Is it negative?
1. I am very sick. I need/don’t need to see the doctor.
2. I call the clinic. I make/don’t make an appointment.
3. I have to reschedule. I can/can’t come to the appointment.
4. He is a new patient. He has/doesn’t have a doctor.
5. He is very sick. He wants/doesn’t want medicine.
6. He is a walk-in at the clinic. He has/doesn’t have an
appointment.

Write a sentence. Use the two words:

1. fever/medicine ________________________________
2. clinic/patient __________________________________
3. schedule/appointment ___________________________
4. cancel/reschedule ______________________________

35
Patient Rights
What are your Patient Rights?

Vocabulary: respectful translator private

change copy records

a. A safe and respectful visit

b. A translator
c. The nurse tells you why you are sick.
d. The visit is private
e. You can understand what the nurse tells you..
f. You can change nurses
g. you can have a copy of your records

Circle the correct word. Write the word:

h. A safe and respectful _________ (home/visit).
i. A ______________ (translator/driver).
j. The nurse tells you why you are ___________(late/sick).
k. The visit is ___________ (private/public).
l. Understand what the___________ (nurse/teacher) tells you.
m. You can ____________ (hire/change) nurses.
n. You can have a ___________ (copy/page) of your records.

Note: You can go to another clinic if you do not like your clinic.
Discussion Question: Do patients have rights in your country?

36
Patient Responsibilities
What are your patient responsibilities?
Vocabulary: truth illness follow instructions
Appointment cancel bills

a. Go to the clinic as soon as you feel very sick

b. Ask questions
c. Tell the truth about your illness. Do not lie.
d. Respect the nurse and the doctor
e. Follow the instructions from the doctor or nurse
f. Keep your appointment. Call if you have to cancel.
g. Pay your bills

Circle the correct word. Write the word.

h. Go to the clinic as ________ (soon/later) as you feel sick.
i. Ask ___________ (answers/questions).
j. Tell the ___________ (lie/truth) about your illness.
k. Respect the __________ (patient/nurse) and the doctor.
l. Call if you have to ____________ (cancel/finish).
m. Pay your _________ (bank/bills).

Note: Every clinic and hospital must give you an interpreter or a

translator. Do not use your children to translate for you if you are
sick. You need to use an adult who can understand the nurse.

37
Is it a Right or a Responsibility? Responsibility Right
1. A translator ___ ___
2. Pay your bills ___ ___
3. Keep your appointment ___ ___
4. Your visit is private ___ ___
5. Tell the truth about your illness ___ ___
6. You can talk to another doctor ___ ___
7. You can have a copy of records ___ ___
8. Follow the directions. ___ ___

Read the sentences. Practice it with a partner.

1. I don’t understand.
2. Why am I sick?
3. What medicine do I take?
4. I want an interpreter.
5. What does this paper say?
6. I want another nurse.
7. I want to see my records.
8. What is my bill?

Discussion Questions:
Do you go to the clinic? What happens at the clinic? What do you
say if you don’t understand the nurse? What do you say if you
have a problem?

38
A Visit to the Clinic
vocabulary: appointment reason fill out
paperwork waiting room nurse

Receptionist: Can I help you?

Pablo: Yes. I need to see a doctor.

Receptionist: Do you have an appointment?

Pablo: No, I don’t.

Receptionist: What’s the reason for your visit?

Pablo: I feel really bad. I have the flu. My body hurts.

Receptionist: Have you been to the clinic before?

Pablo: No. This is my first time here.

Receptionist: Okay. I need you to fill out some paperwork. When

you’re done, take a seat in the waiting room. The nurse will call
your name when she’s ready for you.

Pablo: Okay. Thank you.

39
Answer the questions:
1. Pablo talks to the a. receptionist b. doctor c. nurse
2. Pablo needs to see a a. dentist b. doctor c. teacher
3. “Do you have an… a. appointment b. visit c. time
4. Pablo has the a. chills b. tired c. flu
5. “Have you been to the a. school b. clinic c. hospital
6. He has to fill out some a. paperwork b. apply c. tests
7. He sits in the ___ room a. corner b. desk c. waiting
8. The nurse will call his a. employer b. name c. house

Circle the correct verb:

1. Are/Is you a regular patient?
2. I need/am to see a doctor.
3. Does/do you have an appointment?
4. I have/has the flu.
5. Have you went/been to the clinic?
6. This was/is my first time here.

Match the word and the verb:

1. go to __ a. some paperwork
2. talk to __ b. the clinic
3. fill out __ c. the waiting room
4. sit in __ d. the receptionist

40
A Medical Exam
Vocabulary: nurse exam weigh
blood pressure temperature interpreter

• The nurse calls your name.

• The nurse takes you to an exam room.
• Your interpreter stays in the room.
• The nurse weighs you.
• The nurse takes your blood pressure.
• The nurse takes your temperature.
• The nurse asks you some questions.

Did you understand?

1. The nurse calls your name. Yes No
2. The nurse takes you to the store. Yes No
3. Your interpreter stays in the room. Yes No
4. The nurse weighs the interpreter. Yes No
5. The nurse takes your temperature. Yes No
6. The nurse takes your blood pressure. Yes No
7. The interpreter asks you some questions. Yes No

41
Questions at your Exam
Vocabulary: primary health care provider allergic
medical history current experience pain

The nurse asks you:

1. Who is your primary health care provider?

2. Are you currently taking any medication?

3. Are you allergic to any drugs or medication?

4. What symptoms do you have?

5. Are you currently experiencing any pain?

Match the word with the definition.

1. symptom___ a. drugs you take to feel better
2. allergic___ b. how you feel now?
3. experiencing____ c. any illnesses, surgery, or
problems you have had
4. primary care physician___ d. the doctor you usually have
5. medical history___ e. Where does it hurt? What
feels bad?
6. medication ___ f. now, today
7. currently __ g. a drug makes you feel sick

Discussion Questions: What can you say if you don’t want to

answer the question?

42
Questions about a Prescription
vocabulary: medicine take pill liquid
swallow side-effect dizzy

The nurse or the doctor writes a prescription. The

prescription is for medicine to help you get better. You need a
prescription to buy medication at a pharmacy. Ask the nurse about
the medication:

Question Means the same as

1. What is the medicine? What drugs are in it?
2. Why do I need it? How will it help me get better?
3. How do I take the medicine? Do I take it with water?
Do I take it with food?
Do I chew or swallow it?
4. When do I take the medicine? Every day? One time a day?
Two or three times a day?
5. What does it look like? Is it a pill? Is it a liquid?
6. How long do I take it? How may days?
7. What are the side-effects? How will it make me fee?
Will it make me feel tired?
Will it make me feel dizzy?

Side-effects: rash, itch, bumps, dizziness, trouble sleeping, fatigue,

diarrhea, stomach ache.

43
Match the question and the answer.
What is the medicine? a. Take all of the pills.
Why do I need it? b. You take one pill twice a day.
How do I take the medicine? c. You may feel dizzy.
When do I take the medicine? d. Swallow the pill with water.
What does it look like? e. It is an antibiotic.
How long do I take it? f. It is a small red tablet.
What are the side-effects? g. It will stop the flu virus.
What else do I need to know? h. Take the pills for five days.

Write the correct word:

1. When/What is the medicine?
2. How/why do I need it?
3. How/What do I take the medicine?
4. When/who do I take the medicine?
5. How/what does it look like?
6. How many/how long do I take it?
7. When/what are the side effects?
8. What/who else do I need to know?

Discussion Questions:
1. What kinds of medicine do you get from the nurse? Do you ask
questions about the medicine?
2. What other questions can you ask?

44
Pharmacy Dialogue Part 1: Drop off a Prescription
Vocabulary: drop off prescription allergic Insurance

Ivars: How can I help you?

Ana: I want to fill my prescription.
Ivars: Do you have an insurance card?
Ana: Yes. Here it is.
Ivars: Are you allergic to any drugs?
Ana: What did you say? I don’t understand.
Ivars: Do any drugs make you feel sick?
Ana: No.

Circle the correct answer.

1. Who is the pharmacist? a. Ana b. Ivars
2. Ana wants to fill a. a prescription b. a form
3. What card does she need? a. business b. insurance
4. Ivars asks, “Are you a. allergic b. sick

45
Pharmacy Dialogue Part 2: Pick up a Prescription
Vocabulary: pick up ready co-pay check refill

Ana: Hi. I want to pick up my prescription.

Ivars: It’s ready. The co-pay is ten dollars.
Ana: Can I write a check?
Ivars: Yes. Write the check to “Tolstoy Pharmacy.”
Ana: Here you go.
Ivars: Thanks. Come back if you need a refill.
Ana: Okay.

Match the words:

1. Pick up your ___ a. check
2. Co-pay is ___ b. ten dollars
3. Write a ___ c. refill
4. Come back for a ___ d. prescription

46
 Insurance/ Payment
Vocabulary: health insurance payment bill
sliding scale credit fee social worker

Diego gets sick with the flu. He keeps working. He doesn’t

have a doctor or health insurance, so he doesn’t go to get help.
After a few days he still doesn’t feel better. One morning he
wakes up and has a very high fever.

What can he do?

a. go to a hospital
b. go to a clinic
c. buy medicine at the store
d. do nothing

What is the best thing he can do? Why?

__________________________________________________

No health insurance?
1. Pay more money to visit the doctor
2. Pay part of your bill every month
3. Go to a clinic, not a hospital.
4. Take care of yourself when you start to feel sick
5. Talk to a social worker
6. Go to a low-cost clinic with a sliding-scale fee
7. Buy generic brand medicine at the store
8. Keep good credit so you can make monthly bill payments

47
Cultural Comparison
How is health care different in your home country and the U.S.?
How is it the same?

Your country The U.S.

1. Take care of yourself

2. Go to a doctor or a nurse

3. Take care of your family

4. Take medicine

5. Get a prescription

6. Stay home and rest

7. Health insurance

8. Emergency

48
Grammar: Could/ Should
Read the problem. Write what you could do to help the problem.
Write what you should do to help the problem. Tell your class.

Example: You have a flu for more than 5 days.

What could you do?
Buy medicine at the store. Stay at home. Do nothing.
What should you do?
Go to see a doctor.

1. You have no insurance. You get a bad fever.

What could you do?

What should you do?

2. Your husband starts to have bad pain in his heart.

What could you do?

What should you do?

3. You get headaches a lot.

What could you do?

What should you do?

49
Clinic vs. Hospital

Vocabulary: emergency hospital clinic

You have an emergency. Go to the hospital.

You do not have an emergency. Go to a clinic.

1. You have an emergency. Go to the ________________.

2. You do not have an emergency. Go to a ____________.

Where should you go? Check clinic or hospital.

Problem: Clinic Hospital

cold ___ ___
flu ___ ___
stomach ache ___ ___
broken bone ___ ___
burned skin ___ ___
rash ___ ___
heart pains ___ ___
can’t breathe ___ ___
headaches ___ ___
infection ___ ___
bleeding ___ ___
bug bite ___ ___
allergies ___ ___

Note: It costs more money to go to the hospital than a clinic. You

only go to the hospital for very bad problems.

50
Types of Health Care
Vocabulary: medical teeth dental depressed
mental Psychiatrist psychologist depression

There are different types of health care in the U.S.

Your body feels bad. You need medical care.

Nurses and doctors give medical care.
Your teeth hurt. You need dental care.
Dentists give dental care.
You feel depressed or very unhappy. You need mental care.
A psychologist gives mental care. You can talk with them.
A psychiatrist gives mental care. You can get a prescription.

Circle the correct word.

1. Your body hurts. You need __________ (mental/medical) care.
2. Your teeth hurt. You need ____________ (dental/health) care.
3. You feel depressed. You need __________ (mental/dental) care.
4. Your body hurts. You need a ___________ (nurse/teacher).
5. Your teeth hurt. You need a ___________ (nurse/dentist).
6. You feel depressed. You need a _____________ or a
________________ (teacher/psychiatrist).
(psychologist/dentist).

51
Match the word with the type of care:
1. body ___ a. mental
2. head ___ b. dental
3. teeth ___ c. medical

What kind of care do they give?

1. Doctor __ a. mental b. dental c. medical
2. Dentist __ a. mental b. dental c. medical
3. Psychologist __ a. mental b. dental c. medical
4. Nurse __ a. mental b. dental c. medical
5. Psychiatrist __ a. mental b. dental c. medical

How many syllables? Circle the number.

1. Nurse One Two Three Four
2. Dentist One Two Three Four
3. Medical One Two Three Four
4. Mental One Two Three Four
5. Psychiatrist One Two Three Four
6. Depressed One Two Three Four

Note: Depression is an illness. Some symptoms you feel: very

tired, no appetite, feeling sad, no energy, you can’t sleep. Many
people are depressed. Some people with depression do not like to
talk about it. It is okay if you feel depressed.

52
Stress
vocabulary: stress worry problem angry fix

Where does stress come from?

Too much work
Too many things to think about
Bad things happen to you
Problems in your life with money, jobs or family

Symptoms:
You worry a lot
You have problems sleeping
You feel angry
You feel that you can’t fix any of your problems

1. I have too many things to do. I have ________ (stress/money).

2. I have stress. I __________ (sleep/worry) about many things.

Circle the word that does not fit:

Stress comes from:
1. Too much __ a. food b. work c. sleep d. sun
2. Problems with __ a. family b. money c. books d. job
3. You can feel __ a. worried b. happy c. sad d. angry
4. You can’t __ a. sleep b. eat c. talk d. worry

53
What can you do to help with stress?
1. Talk to someone.
2. Ask for help.
3. Try to do something to fix the problem.
4. Rest and do something you like to do.
5. Sleep, eat good food and exercise.

Discussion Questions:
1. Do people in your country talk about stress?
2. You have too much stress. What do you do?

54