Interactive Communication in Medicine
[ANGL2450]
[30h] 3 credits
This course is taught in the 2d semester.
Teacher(s): Timothy Byrne(coord.), Valérie Decuyper, Marie-Aude Lefer
Language: English
Level: Second
Aims
The main objective of the course is speaking skills but for certain students the analysis and the
production of various types of written messages that are used on a daily basis in the medical
profession will be useful, viz.: email messages, cover letters, resumes, graph description, etc.
The rationale is that the majority of students will not have a communicative and interactive
class in English anymore until they graduate.
Reading Comprehension:
This skill is developed in another course.
Listening Comprehension:
This skill is developed in another course.
Speaking Skills:
The main objective of the course is developing the students4 speaking skills. On the one hand,
there are the classes, which aim at developing the student's ability to
conduct a medical consultation in English. The teacher will teach them the necessary tips,
techniques and language functions needed to do a successful doctor-patient consultation. The
students will get the opportunity to practise during role-plays that have been adapted to each
stage of the consultation process. On the other hand, there are the classes where the student will
be trained in developing presentation skills needed for medical
exposés. Apart from that, the teacher will present, in the form of practical skills, language
functions and adapted role-plays, the following situations: socialising, telephoning, meetings,
business trips, taking part in medical conferences.
Content and teaching methods
The students should be able to master the language functions, grammatical structures, the
etiquette, the general and specific medical vocabulary (as well as its accurate
pronunciation), with the aim of facilitating the spontaneous and fluent production of the
various types oral messages mentioned above.
Pedagogical Approach:
The student is helped in progressively developing their oral skills in the above-mentioned
situations, first in the form of the analysis of the skills and techniques needed and
subsequently by imitation and emulation in various role-play situations. Weekly exercises.
Detailed monitoring and corrections by the teacher. Error analysis.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
The student should have followed the intermediate-level receptive skills course (ANGL 1850)
or a course of a similar level, corresponding to the Upper B2 level of the Common European
Framework for Languages (European Council).
Didactic Aids:
- Course notes.
- Audio-CD and video-recording of television-programs.
- Possibility of doing self-study for the grammar and the vocabulary at the self-study centre
(CAA) of the ILV.
Assessment:
- Continuous assessment during the entire term based on classroom participation and the
weekly role-plays done in pairs.
- Oral exam in the form of a doctor-patient consultation role-play.
- Pronunciation test
- Scientific presentation on a medical subject