scholarly journals Mind Your Language: Factors Enhancing Students’ English Language Skills in an International Medical Programme (IMP) 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Min Hui Chan ◽  
Norul Hidayah Mamat ◽  
Vishna Devi Nadarajah
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
English Language Skills

Abstract Background Language proficiency is crucial for doctors as they communicate with patients, peers and other healthcare professionals. Although proficiency in English is part of admission requirements, there is a gap of knowledge on medical students’ perception of factors enhancing English language (EL) skills during training in international medical programmes (IMP). The gap prevents educators and policy makers from helping students who struggle with communication skills during medical training. This study therefore explores factors that enable enhancement of English language skills from medical students’ perspectives Methods Six focus group interviews with 24 medical students of an IMP were conducted. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s framework of thematic analysis. Results Results established three main factors enhancing EL skills namely use of EL in medical training and practice, influence of university culture in EL mastery and individual EL proficiency with eight themes demonstrating the factors as perceived by medical students Conclusions Findings of this study informs how students perceived enhancement of EL skills as a professional and social requirement during medical training and for future practice. It also informs that setting English language admission pre requisites needs to be complemented with opportunities to practice context specific communication skills. Thus, international medical programmes should embed diverse and inclusive strategies to support and develop medical students’ English language skills.

scholarly journals Improving English Language Proficiency of Graduate Students by Online Learning Apps available on Smartphone

2019 ◽  
Vol IV (III) ◽  
pp. 535-543
Author(s):  
Shahida Naz ◽  
Mamuna Ghani ◽  
Shahid Nawaz
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language Skills

The field of digital literacy is developing rapidly; consequently, the interest of researchers has also shifted now. The current research study was to explore the role of online learning Apps available on smartphones in improving graduate students' English language proficiency. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in this study. Data were collected through a questionnaire that had close-ended and open-ended questions. Questionnaires were distributed among 480 graduate-level students studying in 6 universities of Punjab, Pakistan. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 22.0) to find out results in the form of Percentage, Mean Score, Standard Deviation by applying the Independent Sample T-Test. The results of the study demonstrated the potential of Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) as an anticipatory approach to improving English language skills. Results showed that students were pleased to use smartphones to improve their English language proficiency. They responded positively about the role of smartphones in improving English language skills. On the basis of findings, the researcher concluded that smartphone plays an important role in improving students' English language proficiency.

Workforce Assessment in the Jordanian ICT Industry

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 18-36
Author(s):  
Salem Al-Agtash
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Ict Industry ◽  
English Language Skills

This paper provides an assessment of workforce need in the Jordanian ICT industry. The results have shown that there is a growing workforce gap in the ICT sector. The technical skills of graduates are not satisfactory, and there is an increasing demand for skilled graduates. In addition to the technical skills required, communication skills, creative thinking, and English language skills were seen as important “soft skill elements” across all job categories and are missing in the current ICT workforce. The skills and competencies identified in this study can be used to motivate a design of an effective, flexible and relevant ICT program that can contribute to building a skillful workforce focusing on specialized and hands-on practices in ICT domains.

scholarly journals Teaching patient-centred communication skills during clinical procedural skill training - a preliminary pre-post study comparing international and local medical students

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ede Nagy ◽  
Gloria Matondo Miguel Luta ◽  
Daniel Huhn ◽  
Anna Cranz ◽  
Jobst-Hendrik Schultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Procedural Skills ◽  
Communication Performance ◽  
Local Students

Abstract Background International medical students are frequently confronted with intercultural, psychosocial, and language barriers and often receive lower marks in written, oral, and clinical-practical examinations than fellow local students. Training communication competence in procedural skills, such as blood sampling, is further challenge in this particular group of medical students. This pre-post comparative intervention study aimed to investigate the effects of training communication skills during the performance of procedural skills (taking blood samples from a silicone model) in international and local students as part of their clinical practical medical training. Methods Study participants performed blood sampling on an arm prosthesis model (part-task trainer) before and after the communication skills training, focusing on accompanying communication with a simulation patient sitting next to the arm model. The pre- and post-evaluation video was assessed by two independent evaluators using a binary checklist, the Integrated Procedural Performance Instrument (IPPI) and global assessments of clinical professionalism in terms of procedural and communication performance. Linear models with mixed effects were used. Group differences regarding global competence levels were analysed with χ2-tests. Results International medical students did not perform as well as their local counterparts in the pre- and post-examinations. Both groups improved their performance significantly, whereby the international students improved more than their local counterparts in terms of their communication performance, assessed via binary checklist. Clinical professionalism evaluated via global assessments of procedural and communication performance highlights the intervention’s impact insofar as no international student was assessed as clinically not competent after the training. Conclusions Our results suggest that already a low-dose intervention can lead to improved communication skills in medical students performing procedural tasks and significantly increase their confidence in patient interaction.

scholarly journals Do Enclaves Matter in Immigrant Adjustment?

2019 ◽  
pp. 323-360
Author(s):  
George J. Borjas ◽  
Barry R. Chiswick ◽  
George J. Borjas ◽  
Barry R. Chiswick ◽  
George J. Borjas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Ethnic Concentration ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
English Language Skills

This chapter is concerned with the determinants and consequences of immigrant/linguistic concentrations (enclaves). The reasons for the formation of these concentrations are discussed. Hypotheses are developed regarding “ethnic goods” and the effect of concentrations on the immigrant's language skills, as well as the effects on immigrant earnings of destination language skills and the linguistic concentration. These hypotheses are tested using PUMS data from the 1990 U.S. Census on adult male immigrants from non-English-speaking countries. Linguistic concentrations reduce the immigrant’s own English language skills. Moreover, immigrants’ earnings are lower the lower their English language proficiency and the greater the linguistic/ethnic concentration in their origin language of the area in which they live. The adverse effects on earnings of poor destination language skills and of immigrant concentrations exist independently of each other. The hypotheses regarding ethnic goods are supported by the data.

scholarly journals OMANI SCHOOL SUPERVISOR PERSPECTIVES OF CONTEXTUAL FACTORS IMPACTING UPON STUDENTS’ LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
RAHMA AL-MAHROOQI ◽  
CHRISTOPHER DENMAN ◽  
FAISAL AL-MAAMARI
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Limited English Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
School Students ◽  
English Language Skills

Since the beginning of Oman’s “modern era” in 1970, English has assumed a central role in the country’s education system and has acted as a lingua franca across a variety of domains. However, despite this, graduates of Omani public schools are often reported as lacking the English-language linguistic and communicative abilities demanded by higher education institutions and the world of work. Consequently, most high school graduates entering tertiary education are required to enrol in foundation programs to improve their English language skills, while the employability of graduates seeking jobs straight from high school has also been reported as being negatively affected. Within this context, the current research explored the ways in which contextual factors relate to Omani school graduates’ development of English language skills. To achieve this, eight high school English language teaching supervisors responded to an on-line, open-ended question about the contextual factors they believed caused Omani school students to graduate with low English language proficiency. Results indicate that participants believed families, parents, and “Englishness” are the most important contextual factors contributing to this issue. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Medical Students’ English Language Learning: Needs and Perceptions

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-190
Author(s):  
Amin Karimnia ◽  
Mohammad Reza Khodashenas
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Skills Use ◽  
English Language Skills

Summary This study investigated the medical students’ English language learning needs and their perceptions of ESP courses in an academic environment. To do this, 100 medical students studying medical sciences in the faculty of medicine in Mashhad, Iran, were selected as the participants. Hutchinson and Waters’ target language needs analysis framework was drawn on as the analytic model guiding the study. A needs analysis questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire designed to identify the learners’ perceptions of the frequency of English language skills/sub-skills use, the importance of English language learning, their ability in using language skills, their needs of language learning and their preferences of an English language course. After gathering and analyzing the data, it was found that reading skill is given priority by the students in terms of frequency of use, importance and proficiency. It also revealed that students need and prefer training in speaking, listening and communication skills. Considering the students’ perceptions of the current ESP course, the findings implied that the English language skills incorporated in the current ESP book for the medical students and the allocated time for this course are not compatible with the English language learning needs and wants of the students.

The Role of Language Capability in Migration Choice of International Medical Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
Wen Li ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Country ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Migration Decision ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Middle Income

Background:An alarming proportion of healthcare workers from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) migrate to foreign countries, especially to high-income countries (HICs), to seek employment. The aim of this study was to explore the role of language capability in migration choice of China-educated international medical students (IMSs), mainly from LMICs in Asia and Africa. Methods:A questionnaire was delivered electronically to final-year IMSs at 4 universities in China from June, 2019 to July, 2019. The questionnaire comprised questions on language capability and migration choices of IMSs. Chi-square test was used to determine whether participants’ English language proficiency, Chinese language proficiency, and capability of speaking multi-languages were associated with their migration choices. Results:A total of 202 valid responses were obtained and 91 (45%) participants showed intention of choosing a foreign country. The intention of staying outside the home country was associated with the capability of speaking multi-languages (speaking at least another non-English foreign language apart from Chinese) by IMSs. Higher-level Chinese proficiency certificate holders were more likely to choose China as the destination country. The capability of speaking a non-English/non-Chinese foreign language did not correspond to the intention of migrating to the country where this language is spoken. Furthermore, the intention of migrating to a non-English/non-Chinese speaking foreign country did not correspond to the capability in the language spoken in this foreign country. Conclusion:The effect of language capability on migration choice of China-educated IMSs was explored in this study. The findings indicate that language capability has played some role in IMSs’ migration choice. However, migration decision-making process is complex and is affected by various factors. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to explore correlations among factors affecting migration choice of IMSs.

scholarly journals Teaching Patient-Centred Communication Skills During Clinical Procedural Skill Training - A Pre-Post Study Comparing International and Local Medical Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ede Nagy ◽  
Gloria Matondo Miguel Luta ◽  
Daniel Huhn ◽  
Anna Cranz ◽  
Jobst-Hendrik Schultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Procedural Skills ◽  
Communication Performance ◽  
Local Students

Abstract Background: International medical students are frequently confronted with intercultural, psychosocial, and language barriers and often receive lower marks in written, oral, and clinical-practical examinations than fellow local students. Training communication competence in procedural skills, such as blood sampling, is further challenge in this particular group of medical students. This pre-post comparative intervention study aimed to investigate the effects of training communication skills during the performance of procedural skills (taking blood samples from a silicone model) in international and local students as part of their clinical practical medical training.Methods: Study participants performed blood sampling on an arm prosthesis model (part-task trainer) before and after the communication skills training, focusing on accompanying communication with a simulation patient sitting next to the arm model. The pre and post-evaluation video was assessed by two independent evaluators using a binary checklist, the Integrated Procedural Performance Instrument (IPPI) and global assessments of clinical professionalism in terms of procedural and communication performance. Linear models with mixed effects were used. Group differences regarding global competence levels were analysed with χ²-tests. Results: International medical students did not perform as well as their local counterparts in the pre- and post-examinations. Both groups improved their performance significantly, whereby the international students improved more than their local counterparts in terms of their communication performance, assessed via binary checklist. Clinical professionalism evaluated via global assessments of procedural and communication performance highlights the intervention's impact insofar as no international student was assessed as clinically not competent after the training. Conclusions: Our results suggest that already a low-dose intervention can lead to improved communication skills in medical students performing procedural tasks and significantly increase their confidence in patient interaction.

Workforce Assessment in the Jordanian ICT Industry

2013 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Salem Al-Agtash
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Ict Industry ◽  
English Language Skills

This paper provides an assessment of workforce need in the Jordanian ICT industry. The results have shown that there is a growing workforce gap in the ICT sector. The technical skills of graduates are not satisfactory, and there is an increasing demand for skilled graduates. In addition to the technical skills required, communication skills, creative thinking, and English language skills were seen as important “soft skill elements” across all job categories and are missing in the current ICT workforce. The skills and competencies identified in this study can be used to motivate a design of an effective, flexible and relevant ICT program that can contribute to building a skillful workforce focusing on specialized and hands-on practices in ICT domains.

scholarly journals Do Enclaves Matter in Immigrant Adjustment?

2005 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiswick Barry R. ◽  
Paul W. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Ethnic Concentration ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
English Language Skills

This paper is concerned with the determinants and consequences of immigrant/linguistic concentrations (enclaves). The reasons for the formation of these concentrations are discussed. Hypotheses are developed regarding “ethnic goods” and the effect of concentrations on the immigrant's language skills, as well as the effects on immigrant earnings of destination language skills and the linguistic concentration. These hypotheses are tested using PUMS data from the 1990 U.S. Census on adult male immigrants from non‐English speaking countries. Linguistic concentrations reduce the immigrant's own English language skills. Moreover, immigrant's earnings are lower the lower their English‐language proficiency and the greater the linguistic/ethnic concentration in their origin language of the area in which they live. The adverse effects on earnings of poor destination language skills and of immigrant concentrations exist independently of each other. The hypotheses regarding ethnic goods are supported by the data.

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