Medical English Core Course: The Basics of English for Medical Purposes

Designed for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners at the early stages of medical education who have already completed basic anatomy and physiology, Medical English Core Course develops vocabulary through an integrated four-skills approach, connecting with learners’ existing medical knowledge. Ideal for use in one-year medical English courses or for self-study, this textbook equips learners with the essential skills to build confidence and communicate effectively in medical English.

Key features include:

• 14 content-rich units focusing on major body systems
• An integrated approach combining anatomical knowledge with clinical language
• Technical essays with vocabulary-building tasks and comprehension questions
• Mimetic speaking tasks to reinforce key content
• Doctor-patient dialogues with listening, reading, and role-play activities
• Self-study sections covering treatment-related language
• Supplementary advice sections for aspiring medical professionals
• An index of key medical terms and a glossary of word parts
• Online support materials, including a teacher’s guide and audio files

Medical English Core Course is the result of a collaborative project between applied linguists and medical professionals based in Hiroshima, Japan. Together, they have created a comprehensive, hands-on, learner-oriented resource to support the development of core medical English skills.

Simon Fraser is an Emeritus Professor of applied linguistics at Hiroshima University, Japan.

Walter Davies is an Associate Professor of applied linguistics at the Institute for Foreign Language Research and Education, Hiroshima University, Japan.

Michihiro Hide is the Director of Hiroshima City Citizen’s Hospital and former dean of Hiroshima University’s Medical School, Japan.

Takashi Sadatomo is Head of Neurosurgery and Director of Clinical Research at Higashihiroshima Medical Center, Japan.

Keiso Tatsukawa is an Emeritus Professor and former director of the Institute for Foreign Language Research and Education, Hiroshima University, Japan.

Kazumichi Enokida was a Vice-Director at the Institute for Foreign Language Research and Education, Hiroshima University, Japan.