Learning Vocabulary: Road to recovery

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Skills: Listening

Vocabulary: Injury and illness

Task: Tell us about a sports injury

Learning Vocabulary: Road to recovery

In this week's Premier Skills English Podcast, Rich has injured his ankle and Jack is feeling ill. The language focus is on vocabulary connected to injury and illness and phrases we use to say we're feeling better. Your task is to tell us about a sports injury you suffered in the past. Don't forget to listen to the end of the podcast because we have a new football phrase for you to guess.

If the listening was a bit difficult, you can listen again and read the transcript at the same time.

Read and listen at the same time.

Learning Vocabulary: Road to Recovery

Introduction

Jack: Hello my name’s Jack

Rich: and I’m Rich and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast

Jack: Where we talk about football and help you with your English.

Rich: In this week’s podcast, we’re talking about recovering from injuries and the language we use to tell people we are feeling better, fitter and healthier.

Jack: We recommend that you listen to this podcast on the Premier Skills English website because that is where we have the transcript, language examples, activities, quizzes and a discussion page to help you understand everything we talk about.

Rich: However, if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, you can leave answers to our questions in the review section. We do read all the reviews and would love to hear from you.

Jack: So our main focus this week is on vocabulary and words and phrases we use to talk about recovering from and illnesses and injuries. In a minute or two, we’re going to have three short roleplays for you to listen to.

Rich: In the roleplays, I’m injured and Jack’s ill. You’ll hear us talking about the problem and what we need to do to get better.

Jack: And your task this week is to tell us about a time you were injured or ill and not able to play sport or do what you want.

Rich: Before all that though, we need to look at last week’s football phrase.

Last week’s Football Phrase

Jack: If you didn’t hear our football phrase last week we’re going to give you one more chance to guess now.

Rich: The word was ********* and it basically means a match is arranged to be played at a later date. A match can be *********because of bad weather or if one team has to play in a cup competition.

Jack: We’ll give you the correct answer at the end of the show when we give you a new football phrase.

Rich: The first listener to get it right last week was Liubomyr from Ukraine. Congratulations Liubomyr! A few more of you got the phrase right, too!

Jack: A big well done to Mario from Mexico, Takuya and Hayato from Japan, Idzingirai from Zimbabwe, Elghoul from Algeria, Ali Vasheghani from Iran, Ahmed Adam from Sudan, Rafael Robson from Brazil, Jonathan714 from Hong Kong, Alex from Ukraine, and Milos from Serbia.

Rich: If you want to hear your name in next week’s show you need to write the answer in the comments section on the Premier Skills English website or the review section on Apple Podcasts.

Jack: We’ll give you the answer at the end of the show and we’ll have a new football phrase for you to guess.

Introduction to Roleplay

Jack: In this section, you’re going to hear three roleplays. Rich has a problem and needs to go to the doctor’s surgery.

Rich: And Jack has a problem and he needs to go to the doctor’s surgery.

Jack: While you are listening we want you to answer some questions? This is the question for roleplay one:

Rich: Why are we at the doctor’s surgery?

Roleplay 1

Jack: Hey, Rich! What are you doing here?

Rich: What does it look like?

Jack: Oh... I see.

Rich: I don’t walk around on crutches for fun you know.

Jack: Oh, yeah. Sorry. I forgot. You’ve been out of action for a couple of days now. It’s your knee, isn’t it?

Rich: No, my ankle. I twisted it when I was playing squash.

Jack: A twisted ankle. Ouch. I’ve turned my ankle a few times - it can be really painful. Ice helps with the swelling and keeping your leg up is a good idea. Rice is the answer.

Rich: Rice? I like rice but I didn’t know it was a miracle cure for ankle injuries.

Jack: Not that type of rice. RICE is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Rich: Yeah, I did that - it was really swollen, but it isn’t getting any better. I’ve been sitting on the sofa with my feet up and a bag of frozen peas on my ankle.

Jack: Watching the football no doubt.

Rich: How did you guess? What’s up with you? You look all right to me.

Jack: I am. I’m fine. I’m just waiting for someone.

Tannoy: Jack Radford. Mr Jack Radford. The doctor will see you now.

Jack: It’s just a rash. Nothing to worry about. I’m sure it will clear up by itself.

Rich: I’ll see you after. We can get a coffee.

Language Focus 1

Jack: Did you get the answer to the question we asked you? Why are we at the doctor’s surgery?

Rich: Well, I have a problem with my ankle. I have twisted my ankle but I’m worried that it might be worse so I’ve gone to see the doctor.

Jack: And I have a rash but I didn’t really want to talk about it. I was a bit embarrassed.

Rich: We spoke a lot about my injured ankle in that roleplay so let’s have a look at some of the words we used about it.

Jack: Rich said that he had injured his ankle. Your ankle is the joint that connects your foot to your leg. Rich injured his ankle - he hurt his ankle.

Rich: Ankle injuries are very common, especially when you play sports and there are different ways of describing an injured ankle.

Jack: In the roleplay, Rich described a twisted ankle. This often happens when you turn onto your ankle when you are walking or running.

Rich: It can be very painful. I said that his ankle was swollen.

Jack: This is an adjective which is used to describe a part of the body that has become bigger than normal especially when it’s injured.

Rich: The verb is to swell. When you twist an ankle, the ankle often becomes swollen or swells up.

Jack: To swell up is a phrasal verb used to describe a part of the body getting bigger because of injury. It often hurts if you touch the area around the swelling.

Rich: I was trying to care for my injury at home at first and I was using crutches.

Jack: Crutches are long sticks you put under your arm to help you walk if you’ve injured a leg or foot.

Rich: Jack spoke about an acronym RICE that we can think about when we have a foot injury. It stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Jack: Rich was resting on the sofa. He had ice and compression by putting a bag of frozen peas on his ankle and elevation by keeping his feet up either on the sofa or when using his crutches.

Rich: But in the end, I thought it was better to see the doctor.

Jack: In the next roleplay, you are going to hear how we are getting on with our ailments.

Rich: While you are listening, we want you to answer a question.

Jack: The question is: Where are we?

Roleplay 2

Rich: Thanks for driving me, Jack. I went to the doctor’s on the bus but it took ages walking to the bus stop - it’s a pain going anywhere on foot with these. They help keep my weight off the ankle but that’s about it.

Jack: No, problem. So, what did the doctor say exactly?

Rich: She said that it might be a bit more than a twisted ankle. She reckons it’s most likely going to be a sprain but they need to do an x-ray to make sure.

Jack: You could be here for a while. Does it still hurt?

Rich: It’s a bit tender when I touch it or if I try to put my weight on the ground but it’s OK when I just sit.

Jack: It’s probably not too bad although it might take a while to heal. I remember having a sprained ankle a few years back. I was out of action for about a month.

Rich: A month? I hope I’m back playing before then. What were you at the doctor’s for again?

Jack: I’ve got a bunged up nose and a sore throat. I feel a bit rough.

Rich: You said something about a rash.

Jack: Oh yeah, the doctor gave me a prescription for some cream.

Rich: Oh? What is it?

Jack: I think I’ll go to the chemist’s now actually and get it. You’ll be alright. I’ll see you around.

Rich: OK. Thanks again for the lift.

Language Focus 2

Jack: Did you get the answer to the question we asked you? Where were we?

Rich: Well, in the UK, if you need to have an x-ray, the doctor can’t do this so you need to go to the hospital. We were in a hospital waiting room.

Jack: Let’s have a look at some of the words and phrases we used in this section. Rich needed an x-ray on his ankle.

Rich: An x-ray is a photograph that shows bones or organs. I needed an x-ray on my ankle. It can be a verb too. The doctor needed to x-ray my ankle to see what the problem was.

Jack: This is because the doctor wasn’t sure about Rich’s ankle. She thinks he may have a sprained ankle.

Rich: A sprained ankle is a bit different from a twisted ankle. It’s a bit more serious.

Jack: A sprain means you have some ligament damage. Ligaments are the little things that connect your bones. Little bits of tissue. Ankle sprains and knee sprains are quite common injuries.

Rich: I said my ankle was still quite tender. This adjective - tender has a few meanings but one of them is that something hurts especially when you touch it. Another word we often hear that is similar is sore. You might have a sore throat for example and find it difficult to eat or drink.

Jack: I also said that Rich’s ankle might take a bit of time to heal. To heal means to recover or get better - we usually use heal for injuries and damage to the skin rather than diseases where we say recover or get better.

Rich: We haven’t spoken much about your problems in the roleplay, Jack.

Jack: I’m trying not to talk about it remember.

Rich: Haha. You said you had a bunged up nose and a sore throat. We’ve spoken about a sore throat but what about a bunged up nose - that’s a strange phrase.

Jack: To be bunged up means to be blocked - to be all blocked up. We can have a bunged up nose or generally feel all bunged up when we have a cold or something similar.

Rich: I really like the opposite - a runny nose. Another great adjective. Like the water in the tap runs - you can have a runny nose.

Jack: Disgusting really. I don’t think we need to speak about that any more.

Rich: And you said you were going to go to the chemist’s with your prescription.

Jack: The chemist’s is the shop where you get medicine. It’s often called a pharmacy too. A prescription is the bit of paper your doctor gives you which says what the medicine is that you need to be given.

Rich: And the prescription was for some cream for a rash you’ve got. What’s a rash again?

Jack: A rash is something you get on your skin - it’s a skin complaint. A rash is often red or red spots and is often an allergic reaction to something or some kind of illness.

Rich: In our final roleplay, we are both on the road to recovery and feeling much better.

Jack: While you are listening, we want you to answer a question.

Rich: The question is: What am I going to do to check that my ankle is better?

Roleplay 3

Jack: You’re moving a bit quicker since the last time I saw you!

Rich: Very funny. I’m nearly back to full fitness. Not quite match-fit mind you, I need a couple of weeks yet but at least I don’t have those crutches now.

Jack: Good to see that you are on the mend. Was it a sprain then?

Rich: Yes, quite a bad one. After the x-ray, I was sent to see a physiotherapist a few times. I’d torn some ligaments in my ankle.

Jack: So you’re better now.

Rich: I think so. I’m walking around and there’s no pain. I’m going to go for a very slow jog this afternoon. To test it out.

Jack: You need to take it easy at first.

Rich: That’s what the physiotherapist said. I’ve not been able to do much for the last month but she thinks I’ll be playing squash again in a couple of weeks.

Jack: Six weeks out with a sprained ankle. I bet Harry Kane would be back after two.

Rich: Well, he’s younger and fitter than me! What about you? Did that rash clear up?

Jack: Yes yes yes yes ... all by itself, like I said it would! It was nothing, really. Good to see you’re back on track. I’m off for a run!

Language Focus 3

Jack: Did you get the answer to the question we asked you? What is Rich going to do to check that his ankle is better?

Rich: Well, I’m not going to play squash again just yet but I decided that I’d go for a slow jog.

Jack: Don’t you always jog slowly?

Rich: Mmm … let’s look at a few phrases that are connected to getting better and recovery.

Jack: Rich said he was nearly back to full fitness. Full fitness means to be totally fit. We often hear this phrase in football.

Rich: We hear that a player is working him or herself back to full fitness after injury. I did say that I wasn’t match-fit yet though.

Jack: That’s another phrase we hear in football a lot to be match-fit. This means to be fit enough to play a match.

Rich: Jack told me it was good to see that I was on the mend. When someone is on the mend it means they are getting better after an injury or illness. A similar phrase is to be on the road to recovery.

Jack: We use the word back a lot too when we talk about recovery and playing sport again. Someone might be back on track after illness or might be back in action which means playing again.

Rich: A player might be back after injury. It basically means returned. What about rashes though? We don’t want them back?

Jack: My rash has cleared up - it’s disappeared but thanks for asking and I definitely don’t want it back!

Rich: Take a look at the activities we have on the Premier Skills English website to check your understanding of all the vocabulary we’ve looked at. For this lesson you need to go to skills>listen>podcasts> Learning Vocabulary: Road to recovery.

Task

Rich: Your task this week is to tell us about a time you got injured and were out of action for a while.

Jack: How did the injury happen? Did you get injured playing sport?

Rich: Did you go to see a doctor or did you self-medicate?

Jack: How long were you out of action for?

Rich: Did you make a full recovery?

Jack: Write all your answers in the comments section on the Premier Skills English website or on Apple Podcasts if that’s where you listen to us.

Football Phrase

Jack: It’s your turn with this week’s football phrase, Rich.

Rich: I like this week’s football phrase when I see it on the football pitch. The phrase is ********* ********. This phrase is used when there are lots of players near the goal and the ball is flying around all over the place as one team tries to score and the other team defends desperately. There are two words in the phrase. The first describes the area directly in front of the goal. The word uses the part of the body you put food into. The second word is ******** and is used to describe the way that a person climbs a hill or a mountain quickly without any ropes. It can also be used to mean mixed up. I love ********* eggs for my breakfast.

Jack: That’s a really difficult one. Let’s see who can get it right. Before we leave you we also need to tell you last week’s football phrase. The answer was postponed.

Rich: Right, that’s all we have time for this week! Don’t forget to write your answers to our questions and make a guess at our football phrase in the comments below. If you get it right, we’ll announce your name on next week’s show.

Jack: If you have any questions or comments or suggestions for the podcast or anything football or English related, you can leave them on the website in the comments section, on social media, on apple podcasts or you can email us at premierskills@britishcouncil.org.

Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football!

How much did you understand?

In the podcast, Rich and Jack used some words and phrases that might be new for you. Do you know the words in bold?

Rice? I like rice but I didn’t know it was a miracle cure for ankle injuries.

It's nothing to worry about. I’m sure it will clear up by itself.

The crutches help keep my weight off the ankle but that’s about it.

After the x-ray, I was sent to see a physiotherapist a few times. I’d torn some ligaments in my ankle.

Oh yeah, the doctor gave me a prescription for some cream. I need to go to the chemist's to get it.

There were a few more tricky words in the podcast. Do you know what they all mean? Try the activity below, then, listen to the podcast again to hear how we used the words.

Activity 1: In this activity, try to match the words and phrases to their definitions. All of the words were in this week's podcast.

Gabriel Jesus stretching a bit too much.

Sports injuries & illnesses

In the three dialogues, Rich was injured and Jack was ill. They both needed to go and see the doctor. Before we look at some of the words and phrases they used in the roleplays, have a go at this activity and see if you can match the symptoms to the definitions:

Activity 2: In this activity, try to match the symptoms to the definitions.

Paul Pogba has been out injured a lot this season.

Injury

In the roleplays, Rich was suffering from an injured ankle (the joint that connects the foot to the leg). They used a lot of language connected to injuries. Have a look at the words in bold. Do you understand all of them?

I have twisted my ankle but I’m worried that it might be worse so I’ve gone to see the doctor.

Ice helps with the swelling and keeping your leg up is a good idea.

It's really swollen, tender and sore. It really hurts if I touch it or put any weight on my ankle.

It’s probably not too bad although it might take a while to heal. I remember having a sprained ankle a few years back.

They need to do an x-ray to make sure.

Alexandre Lacazette injures his knee during a match for Arsenal.

Illness

In the roleplays, Jack said he was feeling (although he didn't want to talk about it much). They used a lot of language connected to illnesses. Have a look at the words in bold. Do you understand all of them?

It’s just a rash. Nothing to worry about.

I’ve got a bunged up nose and a sore throat. I feel a bit rough.

I really like the opposite - a runny nose. Like the water in the tap runs - you can have a runny nose.

Mohamed Salah injured during a match for Liverpool.

Getting better

In the final roleplay, Jack and Rich were feeling much better and they looked at some words and phrases you can use to say you are feeling better. Have a look at the words in bold. There is one phrase or word that is not connected to getting better. Do you know which word it is?

I’m nearly back to full fitness. Not quite match-fit mind you, I need a couple of weeks yet.

Good to see that you are on the mend.

He's on the road to recovery.

She'll be back in action next week.

Six weeks out with a sprained ankle. I bet Harry Kane would be back after two.

Good to see you’re back on track. I’m off for a run!

What about you? Did that rash clear up?

The word that is different is out because that means a player is unable to play while the others are connected being fir or getting better,

Activity 3: Check you understand some of the phrases connected to recovery and getting better which were used in the podcast.

Eric Bailly leaves the pitch after picking up an injury.

A sports injury

Harry Kane is on his way back from injury.

Quiz

In this week’s task, we want you to tell us a time when you were injured or ill and couldn't do what you wanted to do. Here are some questions to help you:

Have you ever broken a bone? How did it happen?
Have you ever been injured playing sport?
How long were you out of action for? Did you make a full recovery?
How do you feel when you are injured or ill?

Write all your answers in the comments section below, try to use some of the vocabulary we introduced in the podcast and don't forget to make a guess at this week's football phrase!