Spanish for Health Professions

This intermediate Spanish language course has been created for students who have already completed an intermediate level of Spanish and who now are interested in learning specific Spanish related to the health care field. Learning a second language implies much more than acquiring structures or words. It means developing a series of mechanisms to interact with people of different cultures. Spanish for Health Professions targets all aspects of learning a second language, but unlike other classes, language structures will not be the only focus. This course will also prepare students to learn essential medical terminology, explore health topics and practice language situations that can occur in a healthcare environment.

With a strong practical orientation, this course builds on students' proficiency with the four basic skills (reading, speaking, writing and understanding) through a direct exposure to Spanish language and culture, in the context of health-related topics. Students will also gain an understanding of the cultural traits that distinguish the health environment in Spain in comparison with the U.S.

By the end of the course, students are expected not simply to be able to demonstrate mastery of the grammar and lexical structures studied during the course, but the growing ability to conduct demanding conversations to express personal ideas and opinions, hypothesis in the present and the past, emotions, feelings, interests, desires, and to express agreement and/or disagreement with a well elaborated argument, in the context of different medical situations and the exploration of health and illness experiences, healer-patient interactions, healing traditions and therapeutic practices, health and healthcare across different cultures throughout the world.