What Is The Matter?
This health ESL lesson teaches common symptoms and practical doctor–patient language. Students mime illnesses, play Doctor Says and ask 'What's the matter?' They complete a doctor card and roleplay a clinic visit using 'I have...' and simple advice with 'You should...'.
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Lesson format
2 × 45 minutes
Level
Beginner
Age group
Ages 6–9
Main focus
Speaking first
What students will learn
Lesson flow
Children act out feeling sick or well, watch a Robot Doctor song naming symptoms with gestures, and play 'Doctor Says' miming headaches and coughs. The second lesson fills in a feelings chart asking 'What's the matter?', watches a simple clinic-visit skit, makes a doctor card writing 'I have a...' and 'The doctor says...', and roleplays a doctor's office visit with props.
Target language
- • 'What's the matter?'
- • 'I have a ___'
- • 'Do you feel okay?'
- • 'You should ___'
Key vocabulary
- headache
- stomachache
- cold
- fever
- cough
- sneeze
- medicine
- doctor
- ill
- sick
Speaking questions students answer
- • What's the matter?
- • Do you feel okay?
- • What did the doctor say?
- • What's wrong with the robot?
- • Do you have a fever?
Recommended teaching contexts
Why this lesson works
The lesson follows a clear progression: Act out symptoms in a Sick or Well game, play 'Doctor Says' with symptom commands, make a doctor card and roleplay a doctor's visit. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.