Making a doctor's appointment
Call a clinic, say why you need to see a doctor and book a time.
The scene
You have had a cough for a week and want to see a doctor. You call your local clinic to make an appointment.
- Speaker A
- Clinic receptionist
- Speaker B
- You (patient)
Your goals
- Say why you are calling and what the problem is
- Choose an appointment time
- Give your name and date of birth
Key vocabulary
Press the speaker to hear each word or phrase.
appointment
a time arranged to see someone, like a doctor
I'd like to make an appointment.
clinic
a place where you see a doctor or nurse
The clinic opens at eight.
cough
the noise and action of pushing air out of your throat when you are ill
I've had a cough for a week.
date of birth
the day, month and year you were born
What's your date of birth?
patient
a person who gets medical care
Are you a new patient?
the earliest
the soonest possible time
What's the earliest appointment?
Useful phrases
I'd like to make an appointment, please.
Starting the call
I've had … for …
Explaining how long you have been ill
What's the earliest appointment?
Asking for the first free time
That's fine.
Accepting a time
My date of birth is …
Giving your date of birth
Practice studio: speak the dialogue
Pick your role and press Start. Your partner's lines are read aloud; then say your line into the microphone (or type it) and see which words you got right.
Clinic receptionist
Good morning, Riverside Clinic. How can I help?
You (patient)
Good morning. I'd like to make an appointment with a doctor, please.
Clinic receptionist
Of course. What's the problem?
You (patient)
I've had a bad cough for about a week, and it isn't getting better.
Clinic receptionist
OK. Are you a patient here already?
You (patient)
Yes, I am. My name is Adam Novak.
Clinic receptionist
And your date of birth, please?
You (patient)
It's the twelfth of May, nineteen ninety. What's the earliest appointment?
Clinic receptionist
We have one tomorrow at nine fifteen with Dr. Patel.
You (patient)
That's fine. Thank you very much.
You speak 5 lines as You (patient); Clinic receptionist is read aloud for you.
Speech recognition is done by your browser (in Chrome and Edge this uses the browser maker's online service). Nothing is stored by AltFTool.
Your turn: speak freely
Answer out loud in your own words. There is no score here: aim for full sentences and fewer filler words.
1. Call a clinic and say what is wrong and how long you have had the problem.
2. Say your date of birth out loud in two different ways.
3. Ask for the earliest appointment and accept a time.
Quick quiz
Choose an answer to see if you are right and why.
0 of 4 answered
Common mistakes
Avoid:
I have a cough since one week.Say: I've had a cough for a week.
Use 'have had' plus 'for' with a length of time.
Avoid:
I want to see the doctor today, now.Say: What's the earliest appointment?
Asking for the earliest time is polite and gets the same result.
Avoid:
My birthday is 1990.Say: My date of birth is May 12, 1990.
'Birthday' is the day you celebrate; for forms and clinics use 'date of birth'.
Tips
- Have your health card or insurance details ready before you call.
- Describe the main problem in one sentence; you can explain more to the doctor.
- Practice saying your date of birth until you can say it smoothly.
Questions about this lesson
How do you make a doctor's appointment in English?
Say 'I'd like to make an appointment, please.' Then explain the problem briefly and ask 'What's the earliest appointment?'
How do you say dates in English?
Americans often say 'May twelfth, nineteen ninety'. British speakers often say 'the twelfth of May, nineteen ninety'. Both are understood.
Finish the lesson
Finish the practice studio and the quiz and this lesson is marked complete for you.
Next lesson: Buying medicine at a pharmacy
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