Friendly Dental Care - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Level:	Topic:	Type:	Speakers:	Length:
difficult	dental hygiene	conversation	two men	01:32

Pre-Listening Exercise

What are some reasons for visiting a dentist (e.g., tooth whitening, dental cleaning, orthodontics, invisalign braces, tooth fillings)? Name some common dental problems and possible preventative care for each.

Speak Up, Take a Stand! Instructions for Getting the Conversation Started

These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.

In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and self-assess your progress.

Regular visits to the dentist are necessary even if you don’t have any pain.
Brushing your teeth twice a day is enough to keep them healthy.
Dental care is too expensive for most people.
Children should start visiting the dentist before they turn two years old.
Sugar is the main cause of tooth problems.
Flossing is more important than brushing.
Dentists can prevent many health problems by checking your mouth regularly.
Teeth whitening is just for looks, not health.
Some people are afraid of the dentist without a good reason.
Dental care habits learned in childhood last a lifetime.

Idioms

“be on edge” = nervous
“My kids are a little on edge because they have an appointment with the dentist.”

“couldn’t sleep a wink” = not able to sleep well
“My daughter couldn’t sleep a wink last night because she was so worried about getting her teeth checked.”

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Post-Listening Exercise

How important is a nice smile in finding a good job or attracting a partner? What dental procedures are available to improve your teeth and smile? Are such procedures worth the cost? Compare different dentists or whitening methods to find the best service. Explain your reasons.

Online Investigation

Receiving proper dental care is essential for good health, but having access to this care isn’t available to all people around the world. Use the Internet to identify and find out information about at least two volunteer organizations that provide free dental care to people in need.

What is the name of the organization?
When was it first created?
What types of dental procedures do they provide and how is the organization funded?

See Listening Script

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General Listening Quiz