Lesson modules
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Why this matters
Medical English is the most useful — and the most stressful — English most learners ever need. The vocabulary is specific (sharp pain, dull ache, side effect, dose), the consequences of miscommunication are real, and the calm pace of a doctor's appointment doesn't survive contact with a sore throat at 11pm in a foreign city.
These lessons run a calm, structured doctor's appointment with an AI doctor. You describe symptoms, answer follow-up questions, talk through allergies and medical history, and understand instructions you might actually receive. The tutor never gives real medical advice; the goal is fluency in the situation, not diagnosis.
What you’ll be able to do
- ✓Describe pain precisely — location, type, duration.
- ✓Talk about chronic conditions, allergies, and current medications.
- ✓Understand and ask back about dosage instructions.
- ✓Book and reschedule appointments by phone.
- ✓Ask the right questions about side effects and follow-ups.
What a lesson actually feels like
You've had a headache for three days and you're visiting a clinic abroad.
Key vocabulary
Useful phrases by situation
Booking an appointment
- “I'd like to book an appointment, please.”
- “Is there anything available this week?”
- “Could I see Dr. Smith specifically?”
- “It's not an emergency, but it's been bothering me for a while.”
Describing symptoms
- “I've had a [headache / cough / sore throat] for [number of days].”
- “It's a [sharp / dull / throbbing] pain in my [chest / back / leg].”
- “It started after [an event].”
- “It gets worse when I [walk / lie down / eat].”
Understanding the plan
- “How often should I take this?”
- “Are there side effects I should watch for?”
- “When should I come back?”
- “Could you write that down for me?”
Common mistakes & how to fix them
Cultural notes
- ★In US healthcare, ask about cost early — out-of-pocket prices vary wildly. "How much will this cost out of pocket?" is a normal, expected question.
- ★In the UK NHS, you don't pay at the appointment but appointments can take longer to book. Be specific about urgency.
- ★Pharmacists in most English-speaking countries can answer many medication questions without a doctor visit — useful for minor issues.
Tips from our tutors
“Bring a list of medications you currently take, ideally with the English names. Photo it on your phone before you travel.”
“If the doctor is talking too fast, just say so. 'Could you slow down?' is welcomed in healthcare — they'd much rather you understand.”
Frequently asked
Can the AI tutor diagnose my actual symptoms?+
Will it cover dental, urgent care, paediatrics?+
What if my real-world health English needs are urgent?+
Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Tell the tutor your level at the start of the lesson and the conversation adjusts. Same topic, different depth.
Survival medical English. Describe one symptom in one short sentence. The tutor speaks slowly and confirms each detail before moving on.
- →Say what hurts and where ("my throat hurts", "I have a headache").
- →Say how long it has been going on.
- →Mention one allergy or current medication.
A full appointment. Symptom history, dosing instructions, follow-up. The tutor plays a calm doctor who asks targeted follow-ups and explains a treatment plan.
- →Describe pain precisely (sharp / dull / throbbing, on a scale of 1–10).
- →Understand and ask back about dosing instructions.
- →Book a follow-up appointment and ask about side effects.
Specialist + insurance English. Describe a chronic condition, navigate referral language, advocate for a different test. Native speed; technical terms used naturally.
- →Discuss a chronic condition with full medical history.
- →Ask about insurance coverage and pre-authorisation.
- →Push for a second opinion or different specialist without being rude.
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