Describe common illnesses and symptoms in Arabic
F5Lesson 5 of 12◇ Core language
Health and Illness — At the Doctor's
الصِّحَّة والمَرَض — عِند الطَّبيب
Food, Health & Body · Everyday activities
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Learning Objectives
Focus on these outcomes rather than trying to memorise everything at once.
Use هَل عِندَك..؟ and أَشعُر بـ to ask about and describe health
Role play a doctor-patient consultation in Paper 3 transactional format
Revision plan
- 8 minWarm-upSymptom charades
- 15 minStep 1Illness and symptom vocabulary
- 20 minStep 2Doctor-patient role play — Paper 3 format
- 8 minStep 3Health advice — imperatives in context
- 9 minPlenaryGet well soon card
Exam connection: Listening: food and health descriptions (Paper 1 all formats) | Reading: restaurant blog, health article, doctor's leaflet (Paper 2 R1–R4, Q1/Q2 matching, Q4 gap-fill) | Writing: 80–100-word food and health article/email practice that builds toward later Paper 4 extended writing | Speaking: restaurant role play (transactional) + doctor-patient role play + topic conversation on food and health
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Vocabulary
Tap each card to reveal the meaning, category and example.
Three-step recall
- Say the Arabic aloud.
- Cover the meaning and recall it.
- Use six items in your own spoken or written sentences.
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Quizzes
Use the two short checks. Errors show you what to revise next.
Quiz 1 — Meaning check
0 / 61. What does خُبز mean?
2. What does النِّظام الغِذائي المُتَوازِن mean?
3. What does الاستِماع للمُفرَدات الغِذائِيَّة mean?
4. What does جُبن mean?
5. What does دَجاج mean?
6. What does بَيض mean?
Quiz 2 — Match Arabic and English
العربية
English
Matched: 0 / 6
Stretch challenge
Choose three matched items and combine them into one accurate sentence or short exchange.
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Grammar
Read the rule, notice the pattern and then produce your own examples.
Core rule / strategy
أَشعُر بـ (I feel — Form I, root ش-ع-ر) + noun: أشعر بالتعب، أشعر بالغثيان. هل عندك + indefinite noun?: هل عندك صداع؟ (do you have a headache?). منذ for duration: "عندي زكام منذ ثلاثة أيام" (I have had a cold for three days — present tense + منذ, revisited from D1). Imperatives for health advice: استرح، اشرب، كل، نم (sleep) — these are all Form I imperatives already introduced in F4 classroom commands. Extension: لا تأكل (don't eat — negative imperative).
Notice the pattern
- آكُل الخُبز كلَّ يوم.
- أُحِبُّ الأُرز مع الدَّجاج.
- أخي يَأكُلُ اللَّحم.
- تَأكُلُ أُختي الدَّجاج.
Accuracy checklist
- Check the subject and verb or noun/adjective agreement.
- Check gender, number and tense or time frame.
- Use the lesson structure in a complete, meaningful sentence.
- Read the sentence aloud and correct anything that sounds incomplete.
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Check a model pattern after you try
Compare your sentences with these lesson patterns. Check the same agreement, tense or word order.
- أَشعُر بـ
- أشعر بالتعب، أشعر بالغثيان
Now correct one of your own sentences if needed.
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Skills Practice
Practise listening, reading, speaking and writing with the same lesson language.
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Listening
Listen for intention. Listen twice: first for the overall meaning, then for evidence.
🎧 Recorded audio coming soon — use the device voice for listening practice now. Keep the transcript hidden for your first two listens.
عندي صداع، عندي زكام، عندي حمى. عندي حمى منذ يومين. عندي ألم في حلقي.
- What is the main topic or situation?
- Is the purpose to describe, explain, advise, invite, complain or persuade?
- What clue helped you identify the purpose?
Check your listening
A successful answer identifies the main topic, at least three accurate words and one relevant detail. Replay once, then reveal the transcript only if you still need support.
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Reading
Underline known words before answering.
هل عندك صداع؟ / هل أنت متعب/ة؟ عندك/عندي. بـ (أشعر بالتعب، أشعر بالدوار. أشعر بـ.
- What is the main idea or situation?
- Choose one phrase and explain what it means in this context.
- Find one example that shows the lesson language or grammar in use.
- What extra detail could you add to make the text more complete?
Reading support
Start with names, numbers, repeated words, connectors and familiar verb patterns. You do not need to translate every word.
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Speaking
Build your answer, then ask a follow-up question.
- Talk about food, health or the body using the lesson focus. Give one personal detail or piece of advice.
- Use at least three useful items from this lesson and one complete sentence with the target grammar.
- Add one reason, detail or example instead of giving only a short answer.
Useful frame:في رَأيي.. لِأَنَّ.. أَيضاً.. وَمِن جِهَةٍ أُخرى..
Working alone? Record yourself for 30–60 seconds, listen back once, and improve one pronunciation, grammar or fluency point.
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Writing
Plan, write, check and improve.
Task: Write a short practical response about food or health using the lesson focus and vocabulary. Target: 40–60 words.
Need help? Build your answer in small steps
- Opening: one clear sentence that answers the task.
- Detail: add two relevant pieces of information.
- Extend: add a reason, opinion, time phrase or example.
- Check: compare agreement, spelling and tense with the lesson rule.
Patterns from this lesson you can adapt:
- هل عندك صداع؟ / هل أنت متعب/ة؟
- بـ (أشعر بالتعب، أشعر بالدوار
Try first without opening this support. Adapt the patterns; do not copy them as a complete answer.
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Activities
Complete the activities in order, or choose the one that addresses your weakest area.
Independent revision: if an activity mentions a partner, cards, a picture or classroom equipment, use paper/notes on your device and complete both sides yourself. For speaking, record your answer and listen back once.
Warm-up8 min
Symptom charades
Act out a symptom (no words, no sound). If working with a partner, they guess in Arabic; if working alone, reveal the symptom name only after you have recalled the Arabic: "هل عندك صداع؟ / هل أنت متعب/ة؟" After each correct guess, write the Arabic term down. This kinaesthetic activity immediately activates prior vocabulary from Lesson 4 (body parts) and introduces the semantic field of illness through TPR before any formal teaching. You naturally start using عندك/عندي in your guesses.
Step 115 min
Illness and symptom vocabulary
Study 10 illness/symptom terms. For each: name → use in a sentence with أشعر بـ or عندي. Note: some symptoms take بـ (أشعر بالتعب، أشعر بالدوار — the فـ because they follow أشعر بـ). Others use عندي + indefinite noun (عندي صداع، عندي زكام، عندي حمى). Drill both structures. Then: منذ for duration of illness — "عندي حمى منذ يومين." Write 5 symptom sentences using both structures and at least 2 منذ expressions. Connect to body parts: "عندي ألم في حلقي. أشعر بصداع شديد."
Step 220 min
Doctor-patient role play — Paper 3 format
5 prompts (Paper 3 role play format): 1) Greet the doctor and say you feel unwell. 2) Describe your main symptom using أشعر بـ. 3) Answer the doctor's question about how long you have been ill (منذ). 4) Describe a second symptom when the doctor asks. 5) Thank the doctor and ask about the medicine. Practise both roles for five minutes, then repeat the patient role without notes. If working with a partner, swap roles. Self-check whether all five pieces of information were communicated clearly.
Step 38 min
Health advice — imperatives in context
Study a list of 8 symptoms. Write the health advice for each using imperatives: "عندك صداع؟ → استرح واشرب الماء. عندك زكام؟ → كُل الخضروات الطازجة ولا تخرج في البرد." This combines illness vocabulary with imperative structures from F4. Cross-unit retrieval: you recall اشرب (drink!), كُل (eat!), نَم (sleep!). check: are the negative imperatives (لا + present) formed correctly?
Plenary9 min
Get well soon card
Write a short get-well-soon note (بطاقة تعافٍ سريع) to an imaginary sick friend in Arabic: describe what illness they have (using vocabulary from today), give 3 pieces of health advice (imperatives), and wish them well (تعافَ سريعاً / بالشفاء العاجل). 5–6 sentences. Read one or two aloud or compare them with a partner. Note: these sentences combine present tense (describing illness), imperatives (advice), and wishes — three different grammatical structures in one short text.
Useful to have
Things you can make or find to help you revise this lesson:
- Symptom flashcards
- Doctor-patient role play scenario card
- Health advice imperative reference strip
- Illness description reading task (short)
Stretch challenge
If you already speak some Arabic at home: write a health advice article (80+ words) in the style of an Arabic health magazine — covering 3 common illnesses, their symptoms, and traditional Arab/Islamic remedies (العلاج بالأعشاب، العسل، الحبة السوداء). Use formal MSA register, أشعر بـ/عندي structures, and imperative advice throughout.
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Plenary
Finish with a quick check and one clear next step.
Key takeaways
- Describe common illnesses and symptoms in Arabic
- Use هَل عِندَك..؟ and أَشعُر بـ to ask about and describe health
- Role play a doctor-patient consultation in Paper 3 transactional format
- Grammar focus: أَشعُر بـ (I feel — Form I, root ش-ع-ر) + noun: أشعر بالتعب، أشعر بالغثيان. هل عندك + indefinite noun?: هل عندك صداع؟ (do you have a headache?). منذ for duration: "عندي زكام منذ ثلاثة أيام" (I have had a cold for three days — present tense + منذ, revisited from D1). Imperatives for health advice: استرح، اشرب، كل، نم (sleep) — these are all Form I imperatives already introduced in F4 classroom commands. Extension: لا تأكل (don't eat — negative imperative).
Final check
Symptom sentences (check أشعر بـ vs عندي structure accuracy). Role play (a partner-scored on Paper 3 mark scheme). Health advice imperatives (check it yourself).
Optional follow-up
Write a short story (50–60 words): you wake up feeling ill, call the doctor, describe your symptoms, receive advice, and feel better. Use أشعر بـ، عندي، منذ، and at least 3 imperatives in the advice section.
Confidence check
How secure do you feel after this lesson?
Remember: quick revision works best when you revisit weak vocabulary and correct errors, not when you try to complete everything in one sitting.