Teaching Health: Sickness small cards for ESL Classrooms

 Find it at my TPT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sickness-Flashcards-for-ESL-Classrooms-15145875

 

Small cards are perfect for hands-on, low-prep practice. Here are clear, classroom-ready activity ideas, organized by listening, speaking, reading, and writing, using the same sickness flashcards in a small format.

👂 Listening Activities

Listen & Point. Place small cards on students’ desks.

• Teacher says: “He has a headache.”
• Students point to or touch the correct card.

This kind of activity builds listening comprehension and  Low-pressure for ELLs.

 Listen & Grab. Spread small cards face up on the table. Teacher calls out a sickness. Students quickly pick up the correct card. This is great for engagement and focus.

True or False. The teacher holds up a small card. Then, says a sentence (correct or incorrect): She’s coughing. Students show thumbs up/down or say Yes / No.

🗣️ Speaking Activities

 What’s the Matter?

Students work in pairs. Student A shows a card and asks: “What’s the matter?”

Student B answers: “He has a fever.” Perfect to encourage full sentences and for role-play.

 Reading Activities

Match Word to Picture. Cut the picture from the small cards and the words. Students match and read the word aloud. It will reinforce sight vocabulary.

✏️ Writing Activities

Write the Sentence. Students pick one small card and write a short text.

💡 Why Small Cards Are Powerful

• Easy to manipulate and sort
• Perfect for pair work and centers
• Support all four language skills

Teachers — if you enjoy hands-on ESL activities, games, and classroom resources, follow me on Pinterest! Just here: https://www.pinterest.com/ei98srl
You’ll find pin-ready ideas you can use right away in your lessons.