ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2010; 27 (3):159-163

Original article

UDC: : 811.111' 276.6:61-057.875

Analysis of Student's Errors in English for Medical Purposes

 

Zorica Antić

Faculty of Medicine in Niš, Serbia

SUMMARY

Medical students need to be aware not only of their present and future needs during the course of medical English but also of difficulties and problems they possess concerning the knowledge of general English. The aim of the study was to collect and analyze students’ errors as markers that would point to the areas of English where additional teaching and instruction is needed in order to be able to participate in the course of medical English. The study was carried out in 2009 at the Faculty of Medicine in Niš and included 200 second-year medical students. It relies on data obtained from grammar-based placement test and from conversations with the students. Although an intermediate level of general English is necessary for participating in the course of medical English, the results show that there are areas of language which present problems to the students and need to be particularly emphasized and practiced. Students’ errors and comments on their problems may serve as useful diagnostic markers. Using these data, along with information obtained in direct communication with the students, the teachers may develop a plan which would help broaden the knowledge and enable the students to become more confident in professional communication in English. It is very important and useful to take advantage of the medical context because it presents a source of great motivation for the students.

Key words: English for medical purposes, error analysis, context-based teaching