Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Describing Symptoms to a Doctor
Explain how you feel, say when symptoms started and ask for an unfamiliar word to be explained.
Your speaking goal
Describe a symptom, its starting time and its effect, then ask a clinician to explain something clearly.
Before you start: Use the fictional symptoms in the model for language practice. You do not need to share personal medical information.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Patient and Doctor
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Doctor: What would you like to discuss today?
Patient: I’ve had a sore throat since Monday.
Doctor: Has it changed since then?
Patient: It’s more painful today, especially when I swallow.
Doctor: Have you noticed any other symptoms?
Patient: I’ve also had a cough. It kept me awake last night.
Doctor: Thank you. I’d like to ask a few more questions and examine your throat.
Patient: Could you explain what you mean by ‘examine’?
Doctor: I mean I’d like to look at your throat to check it.
Patient: Thank you. Could you explain the next steps after that?
Doctor: Yes. I’ll explain what I find and discuss the next steps with you.
Useful phrases and what they do
- I’ve had ___ since ___. — Give a symptom and when it began, if it is still present.
- It’s more painful when ___. — Explain what makes discomfort more noticeable.
- It kept me awake. — Say something prevented you from sleeping.
- Could you explain what ___ means? — Ask about an unfamiliar word.
Say it clearly
Group the information: ‘a sore throat / since Monday / more painful today’. Pause between the symptom, timing and change. Clear details matter more than speaking quickly.
Build your own replies
I’ve had ___ since ___. It affects ___. → Has it changed since it started?
Ask and check
Could you explain that in simpler words, please? → Of course. Let me explain.
Common mistakes and alternatives
Use ‘since Monday’ for a starting point and ‘for three days’ for a duration. ‘A sore throat’ and ‘a cough’ both take ‘a’ in these examples. This is a fictional language model, not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
When did the sore throat start?
Show answer 1 and explanation
On Monday. ‘Since Monday’ gives the starting point and indicates that the symptom has continued.
Question 2
Which symptom disturbed the patient’s sleep?
Show answer 2 and explanation
The cough. The patient says it kept them awake last night.
Question 3
Does the doctor give a diagnosis in this conversation?
Show answer 3 and explanation
No. The doctor plans to ask more questions and examine the throat. The model practises describing symptoms and asking for explanations; it does not identify a medical condition.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Use the fictional model to give a symptom, starting time and effect. Ask for an unfamiliar word to be explained.
Role B
Ask short questions about timing and changes, then explain a word in plain language. Do not invent a diagnosis or treatment.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: An explanation is still unclear. Ask a follow-up question and repeat what you understood to check it.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can describe a symptom and its timing.
- I can explain one effect or change.
- I can ask a clinician to explain an unfamiliar word.