English Language & Communication Support Programs
Our exceptional language and medical communication programs are just one more way SGU supports students
Medicine is more than Content Knowledge
The language and communication support programs are unique to SGU, and designed exclusively to help students develop the academic, professional, and medical communication skills that are crucial for the study of medicine and for a thriving medical career.
How do Students Benefit from Language and Communication Support Programs?
- Improve reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
- Develop skills for sociocultural communication
- Engage in critical thinking and analysis
In Healthcare, Effective Communication Saves Lives and Money
“Extensive research has shown that no matter how knowledgeable a clinician might be, if he or she is not able to open good communication with the patient, he or she may be of no help“- Institute for Healthcare Communication
In the US alone, poor communication costs 1.7 billion dollars and 2000 lives each year*.
*(CRICO Strategies, 2015)
Language Program Candidates
International students who are accepted into the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Medicine program or the School of Veterinary Medicine program are required to take English proficiency test (IELTS or equivalent) with focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- If candidates score 6.5 in writing and 7.0 across all other bands of the exam, they are placed into the Medical Academic Communication (MAC) program.
- If School of Medicine candidates score below the MAC requirement, they are placed into the English for Medicine Pathway (EMP) program.
Medical Academic Communication Program
Medical Academic Communication Program
The Medical Academic Communication Program supports the development of skills necessary for medical student success, including communication skills, cultural competencies, critical thinking, medical terminology, and reading strategies for successful test taking.
The Medical Academic Communication Program supports the development of skills necessary for medical student success, including communication skills, cultural competencies, critical thinking, medical terminology, and reading strategies for successful test taking.
The MAC program aims to enrich the learning experience by working with students in all programs at SGU. The program helps to build language and communication skills necessary to thrive in a North American or British academic, professional, and medical context.
- MAC students are monolingual and multilingual
- Approximately a quarter of the students in MAC are voluntary participants who appreciate the benefits of the program
How MAC Works
- 1 hour per week commitment in two 6-week modules per term
- Take modules tailored to build the specific communication areas that that you need
The best part? There is no additional cost, and it does not slow down the timeline to graduation!
MAC Helps Students Build Communication Skills
Clinical communication
- Communicating with patients and their families as an empathetic professional in a culturally appropriate manner
- Developing awareness of cultural and professional expectations and norms for clinical communication
Academic communication
- Engaging with professors and peers professionally, orally, and in writing
- Honing skills such as: developing arguments, participating in small groups, building medical terminology, analyzing MCQs, dissecting arguments
Professional communication
- Presenting yourself as a professional orally and in writing
- Developing awareness of North American cultural norms for communicating professionally
Program Information
Cost: Free
Participation criteria:
- Students placed by the Faculty Student Selection Committee upon admission into the School of Arts and Sciences, the MD or DVM programs (mandatory)
- Students request to join MAC (optional)
Integration with curricula:
- One-hour session per week
- No impact on graduation timeline
Program length: a minimum of one term, depending on student English language proficiency
Curriculum
Students choose from a variety of modules depending on interest and need:
- Building Blocks of Medical Terminology
- Concise Writing for Effective Medical Communication
- Critical Reading for Medical Professionals
- Developing Strong Arguments
- Foundations of Clinical Communication
- Language Approach to Multiple Choice Questions
- Speaking Skills for Future Health Professionals
- Argument Development for Medical Students and Health Professionals
- Proofreading and Writing Mechanics for Aspiring Health Professionals
English for Medicine Pathway Program
English for Medicine Pathway Program
The English for Medicine Pathway Program is an intensive program and is designed to instill the academic, professional, and medical English communication skills necessary for success as SGU medical students and future physicians.
The English for Medicine Pathway Program is an intensive program and is designed to instill the academic, professional, and medical English communication skills necessary for success as SGU medical students and future physicians.
How EMP Works
EMP is offered at all entry points of the MD program.
- For preclinical sciences (5-Year MD, 6-Year MD and 7-Year MD), EMP extends the timeline of the first year by one term. It is offered to students starting in January and August on the Grenada campus.
- The program integrates additional English courses into the preclinical curriculum to allow simultaneous preclinical and English skill progression.
- Students from the 5-year, 6-year, or 7-year MD program are accepted into the EMP program on entry and remain in the program for their first three semesters at SGU.
- For entry into the 4-Year MD program, students may be placed in either one term or two terms of EMP, depending on a student’s English proficiency.
The program includes:
- Development of macro language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking)
- Focus on micro communication skills, academic literacy skills, critical thinking, and cultural awareness
Students Learn Valuable Communication Skills
- Being an active listener
- Reading, understanding, and synthesizing medical research
- Showing empathy
- Understanding and using medical terminology
- Writing papers and reports
- Presenting in front of colleagues
- Developing both oral and written arguments
- Having discussions in small groups
- Writing clearly and concisely
- Taking medical histories
- Giving and receiving feedback
- Reflecting
- Representing yourself in a professional manner
EMP Course Overview
The EMP content is geared towards medical students and future health professionals. The materials covered and skills developed are based on the learning outcomes from the Preclinical Medical Sciences and the School of Medicine.
The program is comprised of four courses:
- Foundations for Communication: builds the foundational academic and professional language and communication skills required for the study and practice of medicine
- Foundations for Medical Communication: builds upon the skills developed in the previous course with a focus on the development of specific communication skills required for success in medicine
- Integrated Medical Communication: focuses on researching medical journals and analyzing and synthesizing information so that it can be presented in a way that is accessible to a general audience
- Applied Medical Communication: builds the language and communication skills necessary for the doctor-patient interview
Rosina’s Success Story
In medical school and as a future health professional, oral and written competence are more than the ability to speak and write. Hear Rosina’s story on how EMP changed her perspective, and her experience at SGU.
EMP Course Outlines
4-year MD with EMP
| Term 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| CHEM 450 | 3 | Biochemistry | Term 1 |
| SSCI 412 | 3 | Social Science in Medicine | Term 1 |
| PCLN 301 | 1 | Learning Strategies | Term 1 |
| 7 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 335 | 10 | Foundations for Communication | |
| 10 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 17 | Total Credits | ||
| Term 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| PCLN 303 | 3 | Communication for Health Professions II | Term 2 |
| BIOL 460 | 4 | Human Anatomy | Term 2 |
| BIOL 441 | 4 | Physiology | Term 2 |
| 11 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 336 | 4 | Foundations for Medical Communication | |
| ENGL 338 | 1 | Applied Medical Communication | |
| ENGL 337 | 3 | Integrated Medical Communication | |
| 8 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 19 | Total Credits | ||
5-year MD with EMP
| Term 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| CHEM 450 | 3 | Biochemistry | Term 1 |
| CHEM 451 | 1 | Biochemistry lab | Term 1 |
| BIOL 320 | 3 | Genetics | Term 1 |
| PCLN 301 | 1 | Learning Strategies for Pre-Professional Programs | Term 1 |
| 8 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 335 | 10 | Foundations for Communication | |
| 10 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 18 | Total Credits | ||
| Year 3: Term 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| BIOL 401 | 4 | Microbiology (and lab) | Term 2 |
| BIOL 321 | 3 | Molecular Biology | Term 2 |
| BIOL 331 | 1 | Molecular Biology Lab | Term 2 |
| PCLN 302 | 2 | Communication for the Health Professions I | Term 2 |
| PSYC 411 | 3 | Intro to psychopathology | Term 2 |
| 13 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 336 | 4 | Foundations for Medical Communication | |
| 4 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 17 | Total Credits | ||
| Year 3: Term 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| BIOL 460 | 4 | Human Anatomy | Term 3 |
| BIOL 441 | 4 | Physiology | Term 3 |
| SSCI 412 | 3 | Social Science & Medicine | Term 3 |
| PCLN 380 | 2 | Clinical Cases | Term 3 |
| PCLN 303 | 3 | Communications for Health Professions II | Term 3 |
| PCLN 391 | 3 | Interpreting Health Science Research | Term 3 |
| 19 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 338 | 1 | Applied Medical Communication | |
| 1 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 20 | Total Credits | ||
6-year MD with EMP
| Year 2: Term 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| CHEM 122/123/td> | 4 | General Chemistry 1/Lab | Term 1 |
| CHEM 222/223 | 4 | Organic Chemistry 1/Lab | Term 1 |
| PSYC 201 | 3 | Intro to Psychology | Term 1 |
| 11 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 335 | 10 | Foundations for Communication | |
| 10 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 21 | Total Credits | ||
| Year 2: Term 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| BIOL 401 | 4 | Anatomy & Physiology 1 | Term 2 |
| CHEM 124/125 | 4 | General Chemistry 2/Lab | Term 2 |
| CHEM 224/225 | 4 | Organic Chemistry 2/Lab | Term 2 |
| PUBH 302 | 3 | Public Health | Term 2 |
| 15 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 336 | 4 | Foundations for Medical Communication | |
| 4 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 19 | Total Credits | ||
| Year 2: Term 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| BIOL 202 | 4 | Anatomy & Physiology 2 | Term 3 |
| Math 220 | 3 | Statistics (GE-Math) | Term 3 |
| PHYS 200 | 4 | Physics for Life Sciences | Term 3 |
| NUTR 201 | 3 | Nutrition | Term 3 |
| 14 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 338 | 1 | Applied Medical Communication | |
| ENGL 337 | 3 | Integrated Medical Communication | |
| 4 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 18 | Total Credits | ||
7-year MD with EMP
| Year 1: Term 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| BIOL 220 | 4 | General Biology and Lab | Term 1 |
| CHEM 122/123 | 4 | General Chemistry I/ Lab | Term 1 |
| 8 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 335 | 10 | Foundations for Communication | |
| 10 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 18 | Total Credits | ||
| Year 1: Term 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| CHEM 124/125 | 4 | General Chemistry II/ Lab | Term 2 |
| ENGL 213 | 3 | College English II | Term 2 |
| MATH 131 | 3 | Math for Physical Sciences | Term 2 |
| GE-AH | 3 | Gen Ed Arts & Humanities | Term 2 |
| 13 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 336 | 4 | Foundations for Medical Communication | |
| 4 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 17 | Total Credits | ||
| Year 1: Term 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical Courses | |||
| Course prefix/number | Credits | Course Title | EMP term |
| BIOL 221 | 4 | Human Biology and Lab | Term 3 |
| COMH 201 | 3 | Community Health | Term 3 |
| PSYC 201 | 3 | Intro to Psychology | Term 3 |
| COMP 111 | 3 | Computer Concepts | Term 3 |
| 13 | Total Academic Credits | ||
| EMP Courses | |||
| ENGL 338 | 1 | Applied Medical Communication | |
| ENGL 337 | 3 | Integrated Medical Communication | |
| 4 | Total EMP Credits | ||
| 17 | Total Credits | ||
Professional Communication Program (PCP):
PCP provides support in polishing professional documents such as CVs and personal statements for residency applications. We offer feedback, workshops, tailored resources, and individual consultations to help students and faculty present their best professional self.
Committed to Helping Students Thrive
The Specialized English Language Programs Unit (SELP) is the English language and communication support network here at SGU. We offer many different programs and services tailored to the needs of the SGU community including students, faculty, and staff.
Questions about our language support programs? Contact us today at selphelp@sgu.edu
