English Learning Podcast Conversation | English Podcast For Advanced | Episode 08

English Podcast Conversation For Advanced

20 Aug 202418:19

Summary

TLDRIn this engaging English language learning podcast, Marco and Erica explore pharmacy-related vocabulary. They cover essential terms such as 'prescription,' 'milligrams,' and 'price check,' while discussing forms of medicine like capsules and tablets. The episode also delves into important phrases like 'be sure not to' and 'hang on.' A dialogue between a customer and a pharmacist is used to illustrate these concepts, offering practical language tips for real-world scenarios. The lesson wraps up with a discussion about over-the-counter and prescription medicine.

Takeaways

📚 The podcast focuses on teaching vocabulary related to pharmacies, medicine, and common phrases used in such contexts.
💊 The term 'milligram' (mg) is explained as a unit of measurement commonly used for medicine dosage.
💡 The hosts discuss the difference between capsules (smooth and tube-shaped) and tablets (round and flat), both forms of medicine.
⚠️ It's important not to overdose on medicine, as taking too much can lead to serious health problems.
👁️ The shopper in the dialogue also asks for eye drops, which are liquid medicine used to treat eye conditions.
🛒 A humorous situation arises where the shopper asks for a price check on a personal item (condoms), leading to some embarrassment.
📜 The word 'prescription' refers to a doctor's note required to buy certain medications.
🍽️ Phrases like 'be sure not to take it on an empty stomach' are discussed, emphasizing the importance of eating before taking certain medicines.
⏳ The phrase 'hang on a sec' is explained as an informal way to ask someone to wait.
💬 Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, like aspirin, can be bought without a prescription, while prescription medicine requires authorization from a doctor.

Q & A

What is a pharmacy referred to as in British English?
-In British English, a pharmacy is sometimes referred to as 'the chemist.'
What is a milligram, and how is it used in medicine?
-A milligram (mg) is a 100th of a gram, and it's a common unit used for measuring medicine.
What does the term 'price check' mean?
-A 'price check' refers to the action of checking the price of an item at a store, often done by the cashier or staff.
What is a prescription, and why is it necessary?
-A prescription is a note from a doctor indicating the medicine a patient needs. It is often required to purchase certain medications.
What are the differences between capsules and tablets?
-Capsules are small tubes with medicine inside and are usually smoother, while tablets are round and flat. Both are forms of pills but come in different shapes.
What does it mean to overdose on medicine?
-To overdose means to take too much medicine, which can lead to serious illness or even death.
What are eye drops, and what are they used for?
-Eye drops are liquid medicines that are applied to the eyes, typically to treat conditions such as dryness or infections.
Why is 'take medicine' used in English rather than 'eat' or 'drink' medicine?
-'Take medicine' is the correct phrase in English, as 'eat' or 'drink' would imply consuming food or beverages, which is not how medicine is typically administered.
What is the difference between prescription medicine and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine?
-Prescription medicine requires a doctor's note to purchase, while OTC medicine can be bought without a prescription, like aspirin for a headache.
How can the phrase 'be sure not to' be used in conversation?
-The phrase 'be sure not to' is a polite way of giving advice or instructions, as opposed to the more direct 'don't.' It can be used in situations such as, 'Be sure not to forget your umbrella.'

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Introduction and Vocabulary Preview

Marco and Erica introduce the English Pod lesson, explaining that they will discuss vocabulary related to pharmacies and medicine. They introduce two key terms for the lesson: 'milligrams' (a unit of measurement in medicine) and 'price check' (an action of verifying a product's price, often done at pharmacies or supermarkets).

05:00

💊 Pharmacy Dialogue and Medicine Request

The dialogue involves a customer asking for a 50 mg prescription and the pharmacist offering it in capsule or tablet form. The pharmacist advises taking one capsule three times a day, not on an empty stomach, and avoiding alcohol. The customer also asks for eye drops and condoms. However, the system doesn't recognize the condom item, leading to a price check request, which the customer finds embarrassing.

10:01

🗣️ Vocabulary Explanation: Prescription, Capsules, and Overdose

The hosts discuss various terms from the dialogue. A 'prescription' is a note from a doctor needed to buy certain medicines. They compare capsules and tablets, explaining their differences in shape and ease of swallowing. 'Overdose' refers to taking too much medicine, which can cause serious harm or even death.

15:06

🛑 Important Phrases and Their Usage

The hosts introduce key phrases from the dialogue, such as 'be sure not to,' which is used to give advice in a polite manner, and 'hang on,' an informal way to say 'wait.' They provide examples of how these phrases can be used in various situations outside the pharmacy, enhancing the learners' practical understanding.

🔄 Recap of the Pharmacy Dialogue and Medicine Terminology

The dialogue is revisited, with a slower version helping learners understand the key vocabulary and phrases. The hosts explain that in English, you 'take' medicine rather than 'eat' or 'drink' it. They also differentiate between prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, discussing how these systems work in the U.S.

💊 Medicine Vocabulary Review and Usage

A vocabulary review covers essential medical terms: 'prescription,' 'milligram,' 'capsule,' 'tablet,' 'overdose,' 'eye drops,' and more. Each term is followed by a brief example or definition to help learners better understand and use these words in everyday situations.

📜 More Vocabulary Practice and Sentence Examples

The lesson concludes with more examples of vocabulary usage in sentences. Words such as 'prescription,' 'tablet,' 'overdose,' 'eye drops,' and 'price check' are reinforced with clear definitions and contextual sentences, aiding retention and practical application in real-world situations.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pharmacy

A pharmacy is a place where medicinal drugs are prepared, dispensed, or sold. In the video, the term refers to the location where the shopper goes to get a prescription and other health-related products. It's central to the theme as the dialogue is about interacting with a pharmacist and purchasing medications.

💡Milligrams (mg)

Milligrams (mg) are a unit of measurement used to quantify the dosage of medicine. In the video, it is explained that a milligram is a 1000th of a gram, and it's commonly used to describe the amount of medicine a patient needs, as in '50 mg of Proac.' The term is important as dosage precision is critical in medical contexts.

💡Prescription

A prescription is a written authorization from a doctor for the purchase of medicine. In the video, the shopper asks the pharmacist to fill a prescription, highlighting its necessity for certain medicines, especially in places like the U.S. The script explains how prescriptions allow controlled access to drugs, ensuring safe use.

💡Capsule

A capsule is a form of medication that comes in a small, tube-like container, usually with medicine encased inside. In the video, the shopper is asked if they prefer their medication in capsule form. Capsules are mentioned as an easier-to-swallow alternative to tablets, emphasizing the different ways medicine can be administered.

💡Tablet

A tablet is another form of medication, typically a solid, round pill. In the video, tablets are compared to capsules, with a focus on their shape and ease of swallowing. The pharmacist offers tablets as an alternative to capsules, showing how patients often have a choice in the form of their medication.

💡Overdose

An overdose refers to taking an excessive amount of medicine, leading to harmful effects. In the video, the pharmacist warns the shopper about the dangers of overdosing on the medication. This emphasizes the importance of following proper dosage instructions to avoid severe health risks, such as sickness or even death.

💡Eye Drops

Eye drops are a liquid medication applied to the eyes to treat conditions such as dryness or irritation. In the script, the shopper asks for eye drops along with their prescription, showing their role as an over-the-counter medication commonly used for minor eye issues.

💡Price Check

A price check is when a cashier or pharmacist verifies the cost of an item that isn’t showing in the system. In the video, the pharmacist needs to perform a price check on condoms, which leads to an awkward situation for the shopper. This term highlights a common situation in retail that can be humorous or frustrating for customers.

💡Hang On

‘Hang on’ is an informal phrase meaning 'wait.' In the video, the pharmacist uses it to ask the shopper to wait while they perform a task. It’s a casual, friendly way to ask someone to be patient, which contrasts with a more direct 'wait.' This phrase is shown to be versatile and applicable in everyday conversations.

💡Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine refers to drugs that can be purchased without a prescription. In the video, this concept is contrasted with prescription medicine, as OTC medicine like aspirin can be bought freely, while other medications require a doctor's note. It highlights the difference in accessibility depending on the type of drug.

Highlights

The episode focuses on vocabulary related to the pharmacy or drugstore, particularly in British and American English, where 'chemist' is used in the UK and 'pharmacy' in the US.

Introduction of key vocabulary terms such as 'milligrams' (mg) as a common unit of measurement for medicine and 'price check' as a routine action at a pharmacy or supermarket.

Detailed explanation of the difference between 'capsules' and 'tablets,' which are two forms of pills used for medication.

Important medical advice provided in the dialogue: 'Be sure not to take it on an empty stomach' and 'Don’t ever mix it with alcohol.'

Discussion of the term 'overdose,' which refers to taking too much medicine, leading to severe illness or even death.

The interaction at the pharmacy involves purchasing additional items such as eye drops and condoms, leading to a humorous moment when a price check is requested for condoms.

Clarification of commonly misunderstood phrases, such as 'take medicine' instead of 'eat' or 'drink' medicine, which is incorrect in English.

Discussion of 'prescription medicine' vs. 'over-the-counter (OTC) medicine,' explaining that in the US, a prescription is required for many medicines, while OTC drugs are available without a doctor's note.

Examples of everyday uses of phrases like 'Be sure not to...' which offers a softer alternative to directly saying 'don't.'

Introduction of the phrase 'hang on' as a friendly, informal way to ask someone to wait, with variations like 'hang on a second' or 'hang on a minute.'

Interactive review of the dialogue, repeating the conversation with slower pacing to help reinforce comprehension of key vocabulary.

Discussion of various types of medicine-related terms such as 'eye drops,' 'syringe,' 'hydrogen peroxide,' and 'ointment,' all used in healthcare settings.

Emphasis on how to describe actions in a pharmacy or medical context, such as 'take a capsule' or 'take a tablet' rather than 'eat' or 'drink.'

Cultural note on how pharmacies function differently across countries, particularly in the US where getting prescription medication is more tightly regulated.

Encouragement for listeners to share how medicine and pharmacies work in their own countries, engaging the global audience in a cultural exchange.