That’s Sick! : Practitioner’s Notes

Level: Pre-intermediate to Intermediate

Timing: 10 min

Ages: 8 to adult

Language area: Illnesses and complaints

Diagnosis

This activity is a warmer or filler which revises the language of illness could be given

following a lesson on ailments such as headaches, colds, flu, etc.

Treatment

The event of the season is underway – the Annual Hypochondriac’s Ball. Students

play the roles of participants and have to circulate around the ballroom telling

anyone who will listen about their ailments in as much detail as possible. They

should compete to be the sickest person in the room.

Prescription

1. Pre-teach and write the words ‘hypochondriac’ and ‘symptom’ on the board.

2. Brainstorm and write on board the names of illnesses, complaints and some of

their symptoms.

3. Pre-teach and drill some complaints such as:

Oh I feel so bad!

I have a temperature.

I feel like death warmed up.

Oh I feel sick!

I feel faint!

4. Tell the students they are all hypochondriacs at a ball and that they have to tell

about their illnesses etc. and find out about other peoples complaints.

5. Get the students out from behind their desks and into an open space.

6. Tell them that they have to chat to each other about all their complaints until you

shout ‘change’ after which they have to find someone else to complain to.

7. Start the activity and actively monitor helping as needed.

8. After 2 minutes, shout ’change’.

9. Students find another partner and repeat the activity.

10. Get them to change partners 3-4 times before calling a halt to the activity.

11. Conduct a feedback session if necessary.