Disease State Directors: these pages prepare students to explain a disease to a patient in English. Each page has pre-reading vocabulary, listening activities, full reading articles, comprehension questions, discussion questions, and a roleplay follow-up activity.
Asthma
A disease of the lungs causing wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Students learn to explain symptoms, triggers, and treatment options to patients.
2 articles | audio | quizzes | discussion
View lesson →Arthritis
Covers osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Students practice explaining joint disease, inflammation, symptoms, and management strategies to patients.
4 articles | vocabulary | discussion
View lesson →Type 1 Diabetes
An autoimmune condition affecting insulin production. Students learn the vocabulary and language needed to explain Type 1 diabetes management to newly diagnosed patients.
Articles | vocabulary | discussion
View lesson →Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form of diabetes, closely linked to lifestyle factors. Students practice explaining blood sugar, diet, medication, and long-term management in patient-friendly English.
Articles | vocabulary | discussion
View lesson →The Nurse
Covers the duties, responsibilities, and specialties of nurses, including LPNs, RNs, and APNs. Students practice using key nursing vocabulary in English.
1 article | audio | vocabulary activities | discussion
View lesson →The Pharmacist
Covers the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists, including dispensing medications, counseling patients, and checking drug interactions.
1 article | audio | vocabulary activities | discussion
View lesson →Physical Therapy
Covers the physical therapy department, the four condition categories treated (musculoskeletal, cardio-pulmonary, integumentary, neurological), and where PTs work.
1 article | audio | discussion
View lesson →Radiology
Covers the radiology department, the three fields of radiology, and the four main imaging types: x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRI scans.
1 article | audio | discussion
View lesson →Describing Hospital Workers
Activities for describing the roles and responsibilities of different healthcare professionals.
View lesson →Each Disease State Director follows the same format and can be used for self-study or as a classroom lesson:
1. Vocabulary - review the key terms before reading or listening.
2. Listen - listen to the articles and try to answer the discussion questions.
3. Read - read the articles and answer the comprehension questions.
4. Discuss - use the discussion questions to talk about the topic with a partner.
5. Roleplay - practice explaining the disease to a patient in a nurse/patient dialog.
