Spanish Course for Medical Practitioners

2008

This two-week course is designed for medical practitioners (doctors, nurses, care-workers, etc.) who need to use Spanish in their workplace.

The six-hour-a-day course focuses on improving students' linguistic competency in a wide range of health care contexts and situations.

The program includes a minimum of 2 visits to Health Centres or contact with Spanish speaking doctors or nurses, which may take place during the afternoon session.

We offer the course at two levels: Intermediate and Advanced.

Intermediate level

Students at this level will achieve a basic competency in Spanish that will allow them to communicate successfully in most health situations at primary assistance level.

Students learn to receive, orientate and inform a patient or visitor, to participate in a basic discussion within the health aid activity, to establish and confirm an appointment or interview, to take notes of a telephone conversation or an interview with a patient, to understand straightforward professional explanations or instructions, to make and maintain telephone contacts, etc.

Other topics covered may include:

• the elaboration and understanding of health documents and
  health administration systems
• understanding patients medical history and admission details
• understanding basic medical texts
• writing notes and messages, completing questionnaires or forms,
• knowing how to explain a blood analysis, etc.

The organisation of different health systems may also be covered.

Advanced level

At this level students develop an increasingly accurate use of Spanish, develop their oral fluency and improve their pronunciation.

Students will be able to:

• understand and expand oral and written messages from almost any register in a health care context.
• communicate with patients directly, or by telephone, discuss and debate subjects of interest such as current healthcare policies, look up, order or transfer information and data, reply to complaints
• comprehend and compile hospital documents (diagnostic samples, surgery plans etc.)

The organisation of different health systems will also be discussed. Subjects may include clinics and hospitals, internal medicine, diagnosis and treatment, surgery, the operating theatre, pre-operative and post-operative care, etc.

Course materials

We use a wide range of authentic and published materials together with a selection of teaching materials developed by our own staff.

All these materials are included in the price of the course. Please note that your coursebook is not included. However, if you do not want to purchase a book, you can borrow a copy on payment of a refundable deposit.

Timetable

• Part A: from 09.30 to 13.30
• Break for lunch
• Part B: from 14.30 to 16.30

Start dates

For individual students: June 30, 2008

For closed groups: Any Monday throughout the year

Course fee

• 2 weeks: 640 US$

Note that there is no registration fee for our courses.

Included in the course fees: Level test, all course materials, certificates, programme of social & cultural activities, student card and access to all the school's facilities.