日米会話学院 Podcasting

2007.03.21

056_Doctor's_Appointment

Nichibei student Masahiro is moving to San Francisco but he is worried about using English in daily situations such as making a doctor's appointment.

Kevin:

Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones.
This episode we have a question from Nichibei student Masahiro. Hello Masahiro, Thank for joining us.

Masahiro:

My pleasure.

Kevin:

Masahiro, I've heard that you are moving to San Francisco.

Masahiro:

Yes, that's right.

Kevin:

How soon are you moving?

Masahiro:

I'm leaving in 5 weeks.

Kevin:

How long will you be there?

Masahiro:

About 3 years, I think.

Kevin:

How do you feel about your English level?

Masahiro:

To be honest, I'm a little nervous.

Kevin:

Oh, I'm sure you'll do fine. But, what exactly do you worry about?

Masahiro:

Many things. For example, yesterday I thinking about making an appointment to see a dentist.

Kevin:

Do you think you can do that?

Masahiro:

I'm not sure. Maybe not.

Kevin:

OK. Why not give it a try? Give me a call on the telephone. I'll play the receptionist for a dentist, Dr. Eastwood, and you have a mild toothache. OK?

Masahiro:

OK.

Kevin:

Hello, Eastwood Dental Clinic. How can I help you?

Masahiro:

Hello, I want to make an appointment.

Kevin:

Is this your first visit?

Masahiro:

Ah.... yes it is.

Kevin:

Could I have your name please?

Masahiro:

It's Masahiro Sato

Kevin:

How do you spell that?

Masahiro:

M" A" S" A" H" I" R" O S" A" T" O

Kevin:

Thank you. And what's the nature of your visit.

Masahiro:

Excuse me? the nature?

Kevin:

Yes. What's the reason for your visit? What's the problem?

Masahiro:

Oh I see. I have a toothache.

Kevin:

Is it serious? Are you in bad pain?

Masahiro:

Ah... no, it's not too bad.

Kevin:

Okay. How about tomorrow, Friday afternoon, at 4:00 O'clock?

Masahiro:

Tomorrow afternoon at 4:00? That's fine.

Kevin:

Okay. Could I have your telephone number please?

Masahiro:

It's 555-1212

Kevin:

Okay Mr. Sato. We'll see you tomorrow at 4 O'clock.

Masahiro:

Thank you. Good bye.

Kevin:

Good bye.

Kevin:

Not bad Masahiro! Not bad at all.
You successfully made the appointment.

Masahiro:

Thanks. But why did the receptionist say 'nature'?

Kevin:

That's a common phrase in this situation. 'what's the nature of your visit' or 'what's the nature of your problem'
In this phrase 'nature' means basic features or quality of something, especially when it's seen as a characteristic of something.

Masahiro:

Could you give me another example?

Kevin:

Sure. It's her nature to always get up early in the morning.

Masahiro:

Oh, Okay, I see.

Kevin:

Good. Would you like to try this conversation one more time?

Masahiro:

Sure.

Kevin:

Okay. But this time you have a broken tooth and it is very painful so ask to see the doctor today.

Masahiro:

Ok.

Kevin:

Good afternoon Eastwood Dental Clinic. How can I help you?

Masahiro:

Hello, I need to make an appointment.

Kevin:

Is this your first visit?

Masahiro:

Yes it is.

Kevin:

Could I have your name please?

Masahiro:

It's Masahiro Sato

Kevin:

How do you spell that?

Masahiro:

M" A" S" A" H" I" R" O S" A" T" O

Kevin:

Thank you. And what's the nature of your visit.

Masahiro:

I've broken a tooth. It's very painful. I need to see the doctor today if possible.

Kevin:

Okay. How about this afternoon, at 4:00 O'clock?

Masahiro:

This afternoon at 4:00? That's fine.

Kevin:

Could I have your telephone number?

Masahiro:

It's 555-1212.

Kevin:

Okay Mr. Sato. We'll see you this afternoon at 4 O'clock.

Masahiro:

Thank you. Good bye.

Kevin:

Good bye.

Kevin:

Now, let's repeat some of the key phrases for this episode.
I'd like to make an appointment.
I need to make an appointment
Could I have your name please?
Could I have your telephone number?
What's the nature of your visit?
What's the nature of your problem?

Kevin:

And that's it for this episode, but before we go we have a special announcement from Nichibei staff, Yuko.

Yuko:

(日本語 announcement ）

END

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