A teaching resource for adult ESL

A flu-ridden man holds up a messy handful of medicines The resource consists of a set of six readers, six activity workbooks and twelve audio files.

Note: to view, click on the links below; or, to save the files to your computer, right-click on the link and choose 'save target as'.

I've got a cold!

Marcel feels awful. He's got a cold. He's got an appointment to see the doctor. He hopes the doctor can make him better quickly.

Messages:

What the common cold is and isn't, and appropriate treatment
Antibiotics are unnecessary for the common cold (some respiratory illnesses such as middle ear infections and severe tonsillitis and sinusitis may require antibiotics)

4 files:

Peter got some new medicine on prescription. When he got home and read the label it read, TAKE AS DIRECTED. But what did TAKE AS DIRECTED mean?

Messages

Get to know what your medicines are for and how to use them
- Be involved in managing your medicines
- It is easy to take more responsibility
Ask your doctor and pharmacist questions when making decisions about your medicines
- Know the right questions to ask
- Write them down before you see your doctor or pharmacist

4 files:

Xiao Ju looks after her health, but one day she notices a lot of bruises on her body. She asks the doctor and pharmacist for advice.

Messages:

Medicines don't just come on prescription, but also from pharmacies (chemists), alternative practitioners, health food shops and supermarkets
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are using
Use reliable sources of information when you make a decision about your medicines
If you regularly use several medicines, take special care to reduce the risk of problems
- Know the names and look of your medicines
- Record details of your medicines, including why you are using them. Keep a list
Have your medicines reviewed regularly

4 Files:

Jim is a strong man. He doesn't like to get sick. He doesn't like taking medicine. Now he gets some surprising news from the doctor.

Messages:

You may have to take a medicine for years or for life, even though you feel well. It could be harmful for you to stop or to change how you take a long-term medicine
Don't change how you take your medicines without talking with your doctor
If you are having problems with your medicine talk with your doctor so that you can deal with it together

4 Files:

Zafira feels sick. She doesn't know what to do, but she thinks she needs medicine. She talks to her friends at work about it.

Messages:

You may need more/other than medicine
What you can do to improve your health
- instead of using a medicine
- as well as using a medicine
Use reliable sources of information: doctors, pharmacists, Consumer Medicine Information leaflets (CMIs), NPS Medicines Line, NPS Website

4 Files:

Linh has to go into hospital for an operation. She talks to her sister, Ly, to plan her visit.

Messages:

All medicines have benefits and risks
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are using
Be involved when you get a new medicine. Find out
- what the side effects could be
- what to do if a side effect occurs
- any problems to watch out for
- how soon you need to act
If you regularly use several medicines, take special care to reduce the risk of problems
- Know the names and look of your medicines
- Record details of your medicines, including why you are using them. Keep a list

4 Files:

1 File: