An overview of English language instruction in undergraduate medical program and ways to improve medical student’s foreign language skills

Abstract

Foreign language instruction in undergraduate medical program is currently limited to only in English. According to the objectives of learning, this can be categorized into 4 groups, including 1. English for General Purposes (EGP), 2. English for Special Purposes in medicine, (ESP-Medicine), 3. English for medical practice, and 4. English for postgraduate study.EGP is taught in general education subjects in pre-medical year (Year 1) of the program. Students in pre-clinical years (Year 2 - 3) and clinical years (Year 4 - 6) learn ESP-Medicine through studying medical terminology which is introduced by alecturer, and by reading assigned textbooks in each course of the program. English reading skill is, therefore, continuously practiced more than other language skills. Listening skills can be improved by employing various kinds of electronic media demonstrating a correct pronunciation from a native speaker. During clinical years of the program, English for medical practiceand English for postgraduate study should be additionally provided. This can be done by either arranging a new courseor adding topics in an existing course of the medical program. As an interdisciplinary study in Medical humanities (Foreignlanguage in Medicine), this article presents an overview of English language instruction in undergraduate medical program,and the required topics to teach in a language course which is applicable to both English and other foreign languages. This aims to improve medical student’s foreign language skills which are ultimately necessary in the current situation.

Key words: English language instruction, Undergraduate medical program, Foreign language in Medicine, Medical humanities