This lesson teaches the language used when working on a ward in a hospital. It includes speaking, vocabulary, pronunciation, reading and grammar activities.
B1 level
● Topic: working on a ward
● Timing: 30–50 minutes
● Lesson Type/Focus: speaking, vocabulary, reading, grammar
● Speaking: discuss and review language to describe people, places and things on a ward
● Vocabulary: learn and review language to describe people, places and things on a ward, practise word stress
● Reading: read for specific information
● Grammar: practise using reflexive and non-reflexive verb forms
The focus of this lesson is people, places and things on a ward. The speaking activity introduces the topic and activates students’ existing knowledge. The vocabulary activities review the topic language and look at word stress and pronunciation. The reading activities contextualise some of this language and practise reading for specific information. The grammar activity reviews reflexive verb forms.
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. Encourage students to share their experiences of the wards and departments they have worked on and which they found most/least interesting/rewarding. If they haven’t worked on a ward yet, encourage them to think about which wards they would like to work on.
A&E/casualty, cardiology, children’s ward/paediatrics, ENT, gynaecology, maternity, oncology, renal unit/nephrology.
Note: if a ward or unit is known by more than one name, elicit or provide the alternative name.
doctors (consultant, registrar, junior doctor/house officer)
nurses (nurse manager, charge nurse/sister, staff nurse)
allied healthcare professionals (physiotherapist, occupational therapist, paramedic)
support staff (porter, cleaner, receptionist).
beginning: change clothes, perform hand hygiene, check supplies
end: tidy/clean, check IV bags, complete shift report
Download the complete lesson plan and student worksheet:
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