Pre-Departure Medical English
A 12-week intensive language programme for healthcare professionals preparing for overseas clinical placement
Course Overview
This programme equips learners with the communication skills and cultural sensitivity needed to perform confidently in international healthcare settings. Combining practice with theory, learners build the ability to interact effectively with patients, colleagues and other members of the clinical team across diverse cultural contexts.
Learning Objectives
Real-world clinical simulation
Brings authentic medical scenarios into the classroom so learners experience the challenges — and solutions — of cross-cultural communication first-hand
Patient-centred communication framework
Learners apply the Cambridge-Calgary Guide to structure patient consultations, ensuring clear information delivery with empathy
A multi-modal learning experience
Interactive discussion, hands-on practice and independent study combine to deliver a well-rounded learning pathway
Key Features
Teaching strategies tailored to your needs
Built on internationally recognised standards
Interactive learning with real-time guidance
Practical and effective communication skills
Focus on professional development
Experienced specialist teaching team
Delivered by an experienced team of international English tutors, ensuring high-quality, targeted language instruction
Interactive discussion and role-play
Through small-group activities and scenario-based simulations, learners take on different clinical roles and develop their communication skills
Cultural sensitivity training
Course content is purpose-built to help learners understand and respond to patient needs and behaviours across different cultural backgrounds
Personalised feedback and guidance
Learners receive individual feedback and recommendations at every key stage to continually strengthen their language and communication skills
Online learning resources
Learners have on-demand access to a rich library of online materials — including video tutorials, clinical case studies and vocabulary practice — to support flexible learning
Curriculum
| # | Module |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1. Introducing yourself across different clinical settings 1. Introducing yourself across different clinical settings |
| 2 | 2. Building the doctor-patient relationship 2. Building the doctor-patient relationship |
| 3 | 3. Understanding the patient's perspective 3. Understanding the patient's perspective |
| 4 | 4. Structuring the consultation 4. Structuring the consultation |
| 5 | 5. Delivering information 5. Delivering information |
| 6 | 6. Summarising information 6. Summarising information |
| 7 | 7. Scenario 1: Explaining a treatment plan 7. Scenario 1: Explaining a treatment plan |
| 8 | 8. Scenario 2: Discussing a diagnosis 8. Scenario 2: Discussing a diagnosis |
| 9 | 9. Scenario 3: Managing challenging behaviour 9. Scenario 3: Managing challenging behaviour |
| 10 | 10. Scenario 4: Explaining a condition 10. Scenario 4: Explaining a condition |
| 11 | 11. Scenario 5: Discussing surgery 11. Scenario 5: Discussing surgery |
| 12 | 12. Scenario 6: Talking about pain 12. Scenario 6: Talking about pain |