A role-play from start to finish
One complete role-play, with the criteria marked as they happen.
12 minutes · A free lesson from Speaking
Card. Setting: an urgent care centre. The patient has sprained an ankle; the X-ray shows no fracture. They are worried because they have a football final in two weeks. Task: explain the injury, give advice on looking after it, respond to their concern about the match, and check their understanding.
Read the model aloud. The notes in brackets show which criterion each move earns.
You: Hello, I'm Sam, one of the nurses. Can I check your name and date of birth? … Thank you. How are you feeling now? (relationship building)
Patient: It's really sore. And I've got a football final in two weeks.
You: That sounds really frustrating, especially with a final coming up. Before I explain the X-ray, can you tell me what you've been told so far? (empathy; finding out what they know)
Patient: Just that nothing's broken.
You: That's right — the X-ray shows no fracture. What you have is a sprain, which means the ligaments around the ankle have been stretched. I'd like to explain how to look after it, and then we can talk about the final. Is that all right? (information giving in plain words; signposting)
You: For the first couple of days, rest it, put an ice pack wrapped in a towel on it for about twenty minutes at a time, and keep it raised when you're sitting down. Does that make sense so far? (small chunks; checking understanding)
Patient: OK. But can I play?
You: I can see how much it matters to you. Most sprains improve a lot within a couple of weeks, but playing too soon can make it worse. What worries you most about missing it? (the patient's perspective)
You: So, to recap: rest, ice, keep it raised, and gentle movement as the pain allows. If the pain gets much worse, or you can't put any weight on it at all, come back. Could you tell me what you'll do over the next two days, so I know I've explained it clearly? (structure: a summary; teach-back)
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: What does the model do straight after greeting the patient?
- Explains the diagnosis in detail
- Asks them to sign a form
- Checks their identity and asks how they are
Show the answer
C: Checks their identity and asks how they are — Relationship building starts in the first sentence.
Quick check: Which line provides structure?
- “That sounds really frustrating.”
- “I'd like to explain how to look after it, and then we can talk about the final.”
- “Can I check your date of birth?”
Show the answer
B: “I'd like to explain how to look after it, and then we can talk about the final.” — Signposting tells the patient what is coming next.
Quick check: How does the model end?
- With a summary and a teach-back check
- With a list of new information
- With a long apology
Show the answer
A: With a summary and a teach-back check — “Could you tell me what you'll do over the next two days?”