Listening Skill Builder 3: Frequency & Time Markers - Going to the Dentist

Target Competency: Identify specific time/frequency expressions (once a day, twice a year, every 3 months, after meals) in context.

Learner Task Sheet

Listen to the dental hygienist. Match the action with how often you should do it.

Audio 1

Action	Frequency Choice
1. Brush teeth	A. Once a day (every night)
2. Floss between teeth	B. Every 3 months
3. Change toothbrush	C. Twice a day (morning & night)
4. Visit the dentist for a cleaning	D. Twice a year (every 6 months)

Listening Skill Builder 4:  Review

Learner Task Sheet: Review Challenge

Part 1: Word Choice (Vocabulary Discrimination)

Listen to the audio. Circle the exact word you hear.

Audio 2

1.     You should brush your teeth ( twice / thrice ) a day.

2.     Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride ( toothpaste / toothpick ).

3.     Don't eat too much ( coffee / candy ) or drink soda.

4.     Sugar causes ( cavities / cleanings ) in your teeth.

5.     Remember to ( floss / wash ) your teeth before bed.

Part 2: Do's & Don'ts (Signal Words)

Listen again. Put a checkmark under DO for healthy advice, or DON'T for harmful habits.

#	Action / Habit	DO (✓)	DON'T (✓)
1	Brush your teeth twice a day
2	Eat a lot of candy and drink pop
3	Use dental floss every night
4	Visit the dentist twice a year

Part 3: How Often? (Frequency Matching)

Listen one final time. Match the action on the left with how often you should do it on the right.

Action		Frequency Choice
1. Brush your teeth	•	A. Every day (at night)
2. Floss between teeth	•	B. Twice a year
3. Visit the dentist for a check-up	•	C. Twice a day (morning & night)

Speaking Skill Builder 3: Health History & Frequency Interview

Goal: Reciprocate in a rapid-fire oral intake interview asking/answering questions about dental hygiene habits and diet using frequency adverbs (twice a day, rarely, sometimes, every night).

Learner Task Sheet: Pair Interview Card

Directions: Put students into groups of two. Take turns playing the Dental Hygienist and the Patient. Use the prompts to conduct an intake check.

 

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ |                       HYGIENIST QUESTION CARD                         +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1. "How often do you brush your teeth?"                               | 2. "How often do you floss?"                                           | 3. "Do you eat sugary foods or drink pop?"                            | 4. "When was your last dental check-up?"

 

|                           PATIENT PROMPTS                             +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | • Brush: Twice a day / Once a day                                      | • Floss: Every night / Sometimes / Never                               | • Sweets: Rarely / Only with coffee / A lot                           | • Last visit: 6 months ago / 2 years ago / Never in Canada            +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Reading Skill Builder 2: Text Structures — Categorizing Do's, Don'ts & Frequencies

Goal: Scan a two-paragraph informational text to extract factual details and organize them into structured categories.

Reading Text: "Daily Habits for a Healthy Smile"

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums requires a good daily routine at home. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush. It is best to brush in the morning after breakfast and before going to sleep at night. In addition, you must clean between your teeth with dental floss once a day. Flossing removes trapped food particles and plaque that your toothbrush cannot reach, which prevents gum disease.

Good dental care also means avoiding habits that damage your enamel. You should limit sweet snacks like chocolate, candy, and carbonated soda, especially between meals. Sugar feeds harmful bacteria in your mouth and causes cavities. Furthermore, do not use your teeth as tools to open plastic bags or bite hard objects like ice. Finally, make sure to schedule a professional cleaning and check-up at a dental clinic twice a year.

Learner Task Sheet: Scanning & Sorting Matrix

Scan the text above and complete the sorting table. Do not write full sentences—use short phrases.

Category	Specific Action / Recommendation from Text	Recommended Frequency
DO (Daily Care)	Brush with fluoride toothpaste	Twice a day
DO (Daily Care)	__________________________________________	Once a day
DO (Clinic Visits)	__________________________________________	Twice a year
DON'T (Food & Drink)	__________________________________________	Limit / Avoid
DON'T (Bad Habits)	__________________________________________	Never

Writing About Dental Care, continued

Part A Instructions: Look at the pictures. Write sentences about the problem and what each person needs to do about it.

1.		Tatiana ______________________________________________.  ____________________________________________________.
2.		Reyna _______________________________________________. _____________________________________________________.
3.		Simon _______________________________________________. _____________________________________________________.
4.		Sam _____________________________________________________. _____________________________________________________.

Writing About Dental Care, continued

Write about a dental problem you have had (or someone in your family) in your notebook. Include when the problem started, and what you did about it.

You should write 4 to 5 sentences.

Part B Instructions: Answer the questions below.

1.	How often do you brush your teeth?
2.	How often do you floss your teeth?
3.	How often do you go to the dentist?
4.	How often do you get an x-ray of your teeth?
5.	How often do you eat candy or sweet foods?
6.	How often do you get your teeth cleaned?