I want to take the Medical English Diploma Course but my English level is very low. What should I do?

Your ability to communicate in English must be equivalent to our Upper Intermediate Level before you study the 24-week Medical English Diploma Course. BCC offers a Fast Track ESL program which is 12 weeks of intensive study. You will study Grammar, Listening, Reading & Writing, Vocabulary, Conversation & Pronunciation. You must obtain an 85% average throughout the course. After completion you can begin the Medical English Diploma Course.

You may also choose to enter our regular paced ESL classes. You will write a placement test and begin the regular classes according to your level. Students wishing to register for the Medical English Diploma Course must complete our Level 4 (Upper Intermediate) General ESL course with 85% average, teacher recommendation and an oral interview.

Do I have to be a medical student or nurse to enter the Medical English Diploma Course?

No, it is not a prerequisite that you be a nurse or medical student. The most important qualifying factor is your level of fluency in English as well as a keen desire to study the language of medicine and medical communications. You may wish to pursue further education and training should you want to specialize in the health sciences field.

What will I be studying in the Medical English Program?

Your morning classes will be from 9:00 – 12:15 PM

Medical Terminology
This class focuses primarily on teaching the student a logical, interactive method to understand and decipher medical terminology. This course lays the foundation for studying medical language by word analysis, combining forms, and learning suffixes and prefixes. Throughout the 24 weeks of study, students will continue to gain confidence and expand their English in medical terminology as it relates to explanations of clinical procedures, laboratory tests, abbreviations related to the body as a whole and body systems, pathological conditions, and diagnostic tests.

Anatomy & Physiology
Beginning with the digestive system, students learn the correct medical language to name the organs, describe their locations and functions, and to accurately describe the symptoms and disease processes that affect these organs. Students will also identify clinical procedures and abbreviations, understand terms in medical reports and records, and learn the common informal language used by the general public with respect to health, illness, and healthcare.

Reading & Writing
This class exposes the student to a wide variety of health sciences publications including medical journals, clinical research papers, anecdotal and biographical publications. Students will become familiar with the history and development of western medicine, Canadian medical pioneers within the last 100 years, the medical hierarchy and Canada's Ministry of Health, roles of the professional nurse, changing trends in healthcare, concepts of ethnicity and culture as it relates to healthcare, and more. Students will be expected to complete research assignments as they relate to the weekly topics and to hand in their written work in formal essay format. Individual and / or group oral presentations are assigned every Friday to ensure that students develop confidence in using medical terminology and public speaking skills.

Listening / Media Class
Taped segments of radio, television, and documentaries as well as educational videos expose the student to a variety of health care issues, sparking debate and lively classroom discussions. Guest speakers working in the healthcare field give students an opportunity to ask questions and converse with their peers in an informal, educational environment.

Your afternoon classes will be from 1:15 - 3:30 PM.

BCC International Medical Communications Course
This "hands on" conversational class is designed to meet the communication needs of medical personnel and students around the world who do not speak English as a first language. Students will build confidence and gain practical experience by referring to their reference guide while role-playing various medical / clinical situations in which effective communication is needed. Topics include office communication, doctor-patient conversations, speaking at medical meetings, small talk among professionals, nurse/patient consultation, nurse/doctor consultation, documentation, writing medical papers, numerical expressions and abbreviations, understanding symptoms and common expressions and more. Students will learn both the professional model of communication and the less formal, "lay terminology" used to communicate to the general public. Students will also engage in video taped mock interviews and communications activities, a valuable learning tool to help them master their interpersonal communication skills in a second language. Terminology learned in the morning classes will be used in context in a situational learning environment.

Pronunciation / Accent Reduction
This class focuses on review of medical terminology, idioms, slang, and common expressions learned throughout the morning sessions with emphasis on pronunciation, stress, intonation, rhythm, and accent reduction.

• To be awarded a BCC Medical English Diploma, students must complete all 24 weeks with a minimum of 95% attendance. Students must also maintain an 85% average on all exams, written assignments, and presentations. Students who complete the program with less than an 85% average will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

• Students are required to purchase the following texts before beginning the Medical English Course.

1) Chabner, Davi-Ellen. The Language of Medicine . 7 th ed. St. Louis: Saunders, 2004. ($80.00) CND

2) Mosby's Medical & Nursing Dictionary ($90.00) CND

Students are also required to have the following medical equipment or these items can be purchased at BCC.

1 blood pressure cuff

1 stethoscope

1 oral thermometer

1 pair of bandage scissors (must be purchased in Canada)

Field Trips / Guest Speakers
Throughout the program, students will visit a variety of healthcare facilities, including care homes, community health centers, medical clinics, hospitals, and doctor's offices in Vancouver. Students will enjoy many opportunities to interact with, ask questions, and gather valuable information from healthcare professionals working in Vancouver.

I am considering working in Canada as a nurse. What do I have to do to become licensed?

To practice as a registered nurse in British Columbia, a nurse must be registered with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC). Legislation also requires that anyone using the title nurse be a member of CRNBC, the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia or the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia. Foreign-trained nurses who seek employment as a registered nurse in British Columbia must first apply to the CRNBC to determine if they are eligible for registration. In addition, candidates must write and pass the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination as part of the registration process. Whether a student has previous formal training and work equivalent to a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse, preparation for the nursing exams is essential. Qualified instructors with a medical background and experience in ESL will use the Canadian RN Exam Prep Guide, produced by the Canadian Nurses Association, to assist students in preparation for the exams.

Overview of BCC's RN / LPN Exam Preparation Course – This is an introduction to our full-time 12-week course. During weeks 20 – 24 of your afternoon International Communications Course, you will have an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the examination process and sample questions on the exam. Highly qualified instructors will assess your level of medical English, make recommendations for further study, and determine if you are ready for our full-time Preparation Course. Further detailed information regarding the RN exam can be found at www. crnbc .bc.ca or www.can-aiic.ca

Canadian RN Exam Prep Guide – The 4th edition is now available from the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and can be ordered by phone or online. Click here to access CNA's website www.cna-aiic.ca This newest edition is available for sale from CRNBC's Helen Randal library.

Produced by the Canadian Nurses Association, this prep guide assists candidates who will be writing the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination . Includes both a printed and CD-ROM version of the practice exam.

LeaRN CRNE™ Readiness Test
This test will help you in assessing your readiness to take the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE).

TOEFL PREPARATION / TSE PREPARATION – 12 Weeks

What is the TOEFL and why is it important?

TOEFL Preparation Morning Classes: 9:00 – 12:15 PM
Foreign-trained nurses wishing to register in Canada with the RNABC (Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia) must also take the TOEFL test and achieve a score of 213 (550 paper-based). Nonnative speakers of English who wish to pursue further education in a Canadian college or university must take the TOEFL with a passing score according to the entrance requirements of that institution.

What is the TSE and why is it important?

TSE Preparation Afternoon Classes: 1:15 – 3:30 PM
This class prepares individuals for the Test of Spoken English (TSE), which must be passed in order for nonnative speakers to work in the healthcare profession in Canada, to pursue further study in Canadian universities or to qualify for teaching assistantships at universities in the United States. Foreign-trained nurses must acquire a score of 50 out of 60 in order to write the RN or LPN license examination. Students will be prepared for the TSE which consists of three warm-up questions and twelve rated questions. Raters assess students' proficiency in the areas of language function (such as giving an opinion), appropriateness, coherence, and accuracy (which includes grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and fluency). Students will learn specific test-taking strategies with practice questions and exercises similar to those found on the exam by studying sample maps, picture sequences, graphs, and announcements that provide realistic test preparation for users.

How do I register with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) and how do I know if I am eligible?

The application process for registration with CRNBC varies for each individual, depending on the length of time it takes you to gather the essential documents and meet eligibility requirements. Processing your application may take from 4-5 months or longer. You can access information on registration requirements, and download a registration form, at the CRNBC website www.crnbc.ca.

I am thinking of the prospects of working as a nurse in Canada but I am not sure how to plan my study time and what to do first. Can instructors at BCC help me develop an individualized plan of action?

We appreciate that your time is valuable, and we at BCC want to see you succeed with your future goals whether or not you want to work as a nurse in Canada or to pursue further education in the medical field. Our qualified instructors are dedicated to answering your questions and giving you individual advice and direction. The first step on your journey is to develop fluency in English. Further more, medical terminology, medical communication skills, a qualifying TOEFL score and TSE score are the essential stepping stones toward a career in the medical field.