Going to the GP: English Listening Practice with Transcript

Beginner · A1–A2 Episode 9 of 20 · about 2 minutes · Hosts: Mel and Josh

1. Before you listen: key words

Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.

GP general practitioner: your family doctor
bulk bill the doctor bills Medicare, so you pay nothing
reception the front desk where you check in
symptoms signs of illness, like a cough or fever
script a prescription for medicine
chemist a pharmacy
interpreter a person who translates speech

2. Listen to the episode

Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.

3. Check your understanding

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4. Shadow the hosts

Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.

5. Talk about it

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Listening Room, episode 9: Going to the GP

Beginner (A1–A2) · englishcoaching.au

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

GP: ________________________
bulk bill: ________________________
reception: ________________________
symptoms: ________________________
script: ________________________
chemist: ________________________
interpreter: ________________________

2. Questions

What is a GP?
☐ A specialist surgeon ☐ A general practitioner or family doctor ☐ A pharmacist
What does 'bulk bill' mean?
☐ You pay double ☐ The visit is covered by Medicare, so you pay nothing ☐ You pay later
What should you say to explain a problem?
☐ What's wrong, where it hurts and how long you've had it ☐ Your full medical history ☐ Only your name
What is a 'script'?
☐ A prescription ☐ A movie ☐ A receipt
What can you ask for if your English isn't strong?
☐ A discount ☐ An interpreter ☐ A different clinic

3. Talk or write about it

Imagine you're at the GP. Explain a health problem: what's wrong, where it hurts and how long you've had it.

Transcript

Mel: Hi everyone, welcome back to the Listening Room. I'm Mel.

Josh: And I'm Josh. Today we're talking about going to the doctor, or as we say in Australia, the GP.

Mel: GP means general practitioner. It's your family doctor, the first doctor you see for most health problems.

Josh: So, Mel, how do you make an appointment?

Mel: You can call the clinic, or book online. On the phone, you say: 'Hi, I'd like to make an appointment, please.'

Josh: And they'll ask, 'Is it urgent?' or 'Which doctor would you like to see?'

Mel: Then you ask, 'Do you bulk bill?' That means the visit is covered by Medicare, so you don't pay.

Josh: Good tip. Not every clinic bulk bills, so it's worth asking.

Mel: When you arrive, you go to reception and say, 'Hi, I've got an appointment at ten with Dr Chen.'

Josh: They'll usually ask for your Medicare card. Then you wait in the waiting room.

Mel: Now the important part: talking to the doctor. Josh, how do you explain your problem?

Josh: Keep it simple. Say what's wrong, where it hurts and how long you've had it. For example: 'I've had a bad cough for a week.'

Mel: Or: 'I've got a pain in my lower back. It started on Monday.'

Josh: And the doctor might ask, 'On a scale of one to ten, how bad is the pain?'

Mel: If you don't understand a word, ask! 'Sorry, could you explain that more simply?'

Josh: Doctors in Australia are used to that. You can also ask for an interpreter, and it's usually free.

Mel: At the end, the doctor might give you a script.

Josh: A script is a prescription. You take it to the chemist, which is the pharmacy, to get your medicine.

Mel: So: GP, bulk billing, Medicare card, script and chemist. Five useful words!

Josh: Thanks for listening. Look after yourselves, and see you next time!

Answers: 1. A general practitioner or family doctor · 2. The visit is covered by Medicare, so you pay nothing · 3. What's wrong, where it hurts and how long you've had it · 4. A prescription · 5. An interpreter

Frequently asked questions

Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?

Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.

What English level is this episode?

Beginner (about A1–A2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.

Which words will I learn in this episode?

GP, bulk bill, reception, symptoms, script, chemist, interpreter. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.