WRITER: THE AU LIBRARY

Assumption University of Thailand (AU) proudly congratulates Dr. Timothy Scott, a distinguished teacher of Human Sciences, and Ms. Wenyu Guan, a recent graduate and an Instructor at Guangdong Medical University, on their recent publication in Teaching and Learning in Medicine: An International Journal. Their article, An Examination of Students’ Perspectives of Medical English Course Quality in Guangdong Medical Universities, has made significant contributions to the field of medical education and is now accessible to a global audience.

Research Overview:
The study addresses the critical role of medical English courses in China, emphasizing the need for a curriculum that balances grammatical accuracy with practical communication skills. By surveying over 3,000 second-year medical students from four universities in Guangdong Province, China, the research sheds light on the disparities between current pedagogical approaches and the evolving demands of the global medical profession.

Key Findings:
Course Content and Practicality: Students expressed a strong need for practical and relevant course material, indicating that existing content and textbooks do not adequately prepare them for real-world medical communication.

Instructor Effectiveness: The quality of instruction was identified as a pivotal factor in course satisfaction, highlighting the importance of well-trained educators in delivering effective medical English education.

Learning Technologies: While technologies were acknowledged, students preferred a balanced approach, cautioning against their excessive use in the classroom.

Insights for Improvement:
The research underscores the necessity for innovative staffing models, refined qualifications for part-time instructors, and the development of collaborative and practical teaching materials. Additionally, it advocates for the judicious integration of e-learning to enhance the educational experience.

Dr. Timothy Scott commented, "This research is a step towards bridging the gap between language education and medical practice. Our findings aim to inform targeted interventions that will significantly improve the quality of medical English courses, ultimately benefiting medical students in China and beyond."
Dr. Wenyu Guan added, "We hope that our work will inspire further research and development in this area, fostering a more effective and engaging learning environment for medical students."

 
Assumption University is committed to supporting and recognizing the exceptional work of our faculty and students.

Abstract
Phenomenon: In China, medical English courses are critical to medical education, equipping Chinese students with the linguistic tools necessary for international medical practice and collaboration. However, a disconnect persists between the pedagogical approaches of medical practitioners and language educators, leading to a curriculum that emphasizes grammatical accuracy over practical communication skills…Read more

Reference
Guan, W., & Scott, T. (2024). An Examination of Students’ Perspectives of Medical English Course Quality in Guangdong Medical Universities. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10401334.2024.2368074

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