Manuals > General English > Rosetta Stone Advantage > Elementary - Book 3 > Lesson 37
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By the end of the lesson, the student should be able to make a doctor's appointment over the phone.
Communication strategies:
The student should be able to make a doctor's appointment over the phone by following the 4 steps below:
1) state their name
2) state their reason for calling
3) ask about availability
4) state their desired availability
e.g.
A) Hello. ABC Clinic. Can I help you?
B) Yes. I'd like to make an appointment, please.
A) What seems to be the problem?
B) I have a toothache. Can I schedule a checkup for today?
A) Let me just check the schedule. Sure. Does 5:00 work for you?
B) Sure. That is perfect.
Words and rules:
- The student should be able to state the reason they are calling. e.g. I'm calling because I'd like to schedule an appointment.
- The student should be able to ask about and state their desired availability. e.g. 5:00 is perfect.
Appropriateness:
Non-verbal behaviour: NA
Register: When talking to a receptionist over the phone we usually use a more polite register.
Social rules: NA
Cultural references: NA
Track #32
Hello. My 5 year old daughter is coughing, sneezing, and has a high
fever. I’d like to make an appointment as soon as possible. Is the
doctor available tomorrow afternoon?
Track #33
Hi there. Recently it’s difficult for me to read small text. I’d like to
make an appointment sometime this week. I think I might need new
glasses.
Track #34
Good afternoon. I’ve had a bad toothache for a few days. Can the
doctor see me this weekend? Preferably, early in the morning.
Because the lesson touches on the topic of greetings, you are welcome to introduce some of the following vocabulary if you like.
1) to put someone down for [time] (v)
2) to fit someone in (v)
3) to squeeze someone in (v)
4) How does ... sound? (exp)
5) Does ... work for you? (exp)
6) Is ... good for you? (exp)
7) a physician (n)
8) a referral (n)
9) a patient (n)
10) a cancellation (n)
Option 1:
Difficulty ★★
Type:
Let's start - Warm-up discussion
Purpose:
Steering the student into the goal of the lesson before opening the book.
Method: Before you open the book, talk to the student about what information they usually give a receptionist over the phone when making a doctor's appointment.
Extra questions you might like to ask in the lesson
- What is your first name?
- What seems to be the problem?
- When did the symptoms start?
- When was your last check up?
- What time works best for you?
- Do you have insurance?
- Do you have any other health concerns?
Let’s start
Top left: a GP / a doctor's visit / a family doctor
Top middle: an eye doctor / an eye check
Top right: surgery / a surgeon / a nurse
Bottom left: an injection / a shot / an Immunization
Bottom middle: an ambulance / a paramedic
Bottom right: a dentist / a dental clinic
Let’s try
Track #32
1) Why do they need to see the doctor?
His 5 year old daughter is coughing, sneezing, and has a high
fever.
2) When do they want to see the doctor?
tomorrow afternoon
Track #33
1) Why do they need to see the doctor?
Recently it’s difficult for her to read small text. She thinks she might need glasses.
2) When do they want to see the doctor?
Sometime this week.
Track #34
1) Why do they need to see the doctor?
He's had a bad toothache for a few days.
2) When do they want to see the doctor?
This weekend? Preferably, early in the morning.
Let’s practice
Content from clipboard
A) Hello. ABC Clinic. Can I help you?
B) Yes. I'd like to make an appointment, please.
A) What seems to be the problem?
B) I have a toothache. Can I schedule a checkup for today?
A) Let me just check the schedule. Sure. Does 5:00 work for you?
B) Sure. That is perfect.
A) Now, when was your last check up?
B) About two years ago.
A) Do you have insurance?
B) Yes.
A) May I have your name, please?
B) It's Andy, Andy Fletcher.
A) Thank you Andy. We will see you on at 5:00..
Let’s speak
Role-play calling the clinic and making an appointment for your boss who is sick.
A) Family Clinic. Mary speaking. How can I help you?
B) I'd like to make an appointment please.
A) Is this your first visit to our clinic?
B) Actually, the appointment is for my boss. You see, he can't speak English.
A) I see. No problem. What's his name, please?
B) Kenji Tanaka.
A) Okay, Now, what does he need to see the doctor about?
B) Well, we are on a business trip and he has suddenly come down with a high fever and has vomited a few times this morning.
A) Hmm. I'm checking the schedule now. It's quite busy today. Do you think it can wait until Wednesday?
B) Oh, I was really hoping to get in today or tomorrow. Do you know any other clinics in the area?
A) Actually, we had a cancellation for 18:00 today.
B) That's perfect.
A) We're running a bit behind schedule, so you might need to wait a little bit after you arrive.
B) That's great. Thanks for fitting me in.
A) No problem, we will see you tonight.