Medical Language 
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Course Overview 
This course has integrated the study of medical vocabulary (​content focus​) with authentic 
oral and written language practice (​communication focus​) to provide a system for 
students to use technical vocabulary in professional contexts. The course is designed for 
medical students, nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals who seek to better 
communicate with both their patients and medical colleagues. 

Books & Materials 

1. Recommendations for a Healthcare Workbook (​communication focus​) 
a. Amazing Theme-based ESL Worksheets for Beginners: Health and Medicine  
b. Take Care of Yourself: A Health Care Workbook for Beginning ESL Students  
2. Recommendation for a Listening Practice resource (​communication focus​) 
English in Medicine Audio CD: A Course in Communication Skills​ by Eric H. 
Glendinning & Beverly A. S. Holmström  
3. Recommendations for a Human Body Workbook (​content focus​) 
a. Human Body​ by Sue Carothers & Elizabeth Henke  
b. Human Body​ by Daryl Vriesenga  

   

 
 
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Course Objectives 
Students will be able to... 
1) identify, describe, and classify the organs, functions, and processes of the main 
body systems (Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, Nervous, Skeletal, 
Muscular, Integumentary, Endocrine and Immune Systems). 
a) classify organs by body system (ex: integumentary system includes skin, hair, 
nails, and exocrine glands). 
b) Identify the “job” of each major system (ex: immune system fights disease). 
c) describe the functions of the major organs (ex: blood is pumped through the 
four chambers of the heart). 
d) explain the processes of the major organs working together (ex: the order of 
the passage of food through the organs of the digestive system). 
2) talk about places and people in a hospital. 
3) communicate vital medical information in various common emergency situations. 
4) interact with health professionals to make an appointment and explain general 
medical issues at various doctors’ offices (dentist, check-up, urgent care, etc.). 
5) describe symptoms as they relate to various body parts and common illnesses or 
injuries (where it hurts, how it feels, duration, etc.). 
6) complete a typical patient medical history by asking basic questions about body 
systems and symptoms. 
7) give instructions and explain procedures to reassure a patient during common 
procedures of a typical physical examination (checking blood pressure, taking 
blood, giving shots, etc.). 
8) discuss, explain, and reassure patients when investigating their medical issue and 
making their diagnosis (x-rays, blood tests, urine analysis, etc.). 
9) discuss various treatment options for common illnesses and injuries (get rest, 
healthier diet, physical therapy, etc.). 
10) give a patient relevant and helpful advice for common health issues or medical 
problems (grammar focus: should, must, might, ought to). 
11) explain how to take prescription and over-the-counter medications (interpret 
labels, give directions, list side effects, etc.). 
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Weekly Schedule 
These are the topics that will be covered each week. 

● The c
​ ommunication focus​ will guide students through the patient process from 
the onset of the medical issue to the treatment/medication stage. 
● The c
​ ontent focus​ will guide students through all of the major body systems, 
beginning with an overview of all the parts of the body and major organs. 

 
Week  Communication Focus  Content Focus (Body Systems) 

Step One:​ Hospitals & Medical History 

1  Hospitals & Emergencies  Body Parts & Functions 

2  Appointments & Medical History  Circulatory & Respiratory Systems (heart 

& lungs) 

Step Two:​ Symptoms & Examination 

3  Describing Symptoms  Digestive & Urinary Systems 

4  Examining a Patient & Taking Blood  Nervous System (brain) 

Step Three:​ Treatment & Advice 

5  Treatment  Skeletal and Muscular Systems (bones) 

6  Giving Advice  Integumentary System (skin, sweat) 

Final Steps: ​Drugs & Common Diagnoses 

7  Medication  Endocrine System (hormones) 

8  Common Diagnoses & Diseases  Immune System (fighting illness)