English for Medical Purposes: A Case of English for Specific Purposes

Abstract

Thesis Title: English for Medical Purposes: A Case of English for Specific Purposes The present study aimed at investigating the academic and professional English language communicative needs of medical learners in Pakistan. The study explored the frequency of usage of English, its importance in various activities related to medical field, the existing level of English proficiency of medical learners also identified opinions about learning English at medical colleges in Pakistan. In order to investigate academic and professional English language needs of medical learners, empirical research was conducted by means of survey questionnaires. I employed techniques of purposive sampling and stratified random sampling. Four questionnaires were constructed for four groups of medical discourse community; students of medicine, teachers of medicine, medical trainees, and medical administrators. Data were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Closed-ended items were analyzed quantitatively by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) and open-ended items were analyzed qualitatively by reviewing responses, grouping related responses and identifying common themes. The findings revealed that English was extensively used both in medical studies and profession. English was considered highly important to carry out various activities in medical field. The findings presented that medical learners’ existing level of English proficiency is not adequate to meet their linguistic needs and thus English is highly required. The findings revealed that the amount of English taught before joining medical college is not adequate to meet academic and professional medical needs of the medical learners therefore a course of English is required to address the problem. Based on the findings, needs oriented course of English has been recommended for its implementation in medical colleges of Pakistan. The findings provided directions for designing course contents that need to be integrated with enriched knowledge of all four skills of English language with a close emphasis on productive skills (speaking and writing) as compared to receptive skills (reading and listening). The study indicated the needs of specific methodology and trainings of English language teachers for teaching English in medical colleges. The overall findings of the study revealed dire need of course of English that should be urgently implemented in the medical colleges of Pakistan.