In this lesson students learn and practice the language used to describe diabetes and diabetes tests. It includes speaking, listening, and vocabulary activities.
B2-C1 level
● Topic: diabetes and diabetes tests
● Timing: 30–40 minutes
● Lesson Type/Focus: speaking, listening and vocabulary
● Speaking: discuss diabetes and diabetes tests, practise a doctor-patient conversation
● Listening: listen for gist and detail
● Vocabulary: learn and review language related to diabetes
The focus of this lesson is diabetes and diabetes tests. The speaking activity introduces the topic and gives students the opportunity to share their ideas and experience. The listening activities practise listening for gist and for specific information. The vocabulary activity introduces/reviews key vocabulary. The final speaking activity practises a doctor-patient conversation about diabetes.
Note: This lesson supports the language introduced in the following:
Put students into pairs or small groups and ask them to discuss questions 1–3 on the student worksheet. Encourage them to share examples from their own experience.
Do whole class feedback to discuss and share answers.
Students’ answers may include:
more sedentary lifestyle, increase in processed foods, obesity, increased waist size (weight distribution in middle of the body), risk of diabetes increases with age (over 40), at risk if you have ever had hypertension, treatment with antipsychotic medication (low risk), alcohol intake >14 units/week
Students’ answers may include:
cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, foot damage
lifestyle changes: maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly
Download the complete lesson plan and student worksheet:
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