English

Recommended Prerequisites

Classes are based on content and skills development, with all interaction taking place in English.  Course participants need to have at least a good Intermediate level of English to gain anything from the course.  Participation in English is required from all attendees.

This course is most suitable for participants with a B2 level of English (Cambridge FCE) or above.  Students with a level of English below this are likely to struggle and score a low grade.

Teaching Methods

The skills that we focus on are:

• understanding and using medical vocabulary, in particular explaining technical terms in words that non-professionals can understand

• reading articles: getting the main ideas quickly, increasing reading speed, managing your environment

• taking notes from reading

• writing articles/essays; organising and connecting your ideas

•  speaking; helping your listener (with signposts and connectors)

• pronunciation: stressed syllables, difficult sounds for Portuguese speakers of English, silent letters

•grammar: areas to be selected based on the needs of the course

Learning Outcomes

The course objective is to equip course participants with some of the vocabulary and skills required to read, write and speak in English about medicine and related areas.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The course syllabus will reflect the results of the needs analysis conducted in an early lesson.  Accordingly, the primary focus areas are expected to be:

•          learning and practising medical vocabulary, especially with regard to lay terms and professional terms, collocation and pronunciation

•          reading articles, with the focus on reading effectively and active reading

•          writing skills, with the focus on the structure and organisation of scientific articles

The secondary focus areas are expected to be:

•          speaking (short presentations, discussions) and pronunciation

•          communicating with patients

•          general vocabulary

Head Lecturer(s)

Manuel Jesus Antunes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Coursebook: Professional English in Use - Medicine (Glendinning and Howard, CUP)

Please note that purchase of this is compulsory.

Other course handouts will be provided as required.