Strengthening English communication in healthcare

Eight individuals from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) took part in the two-week program. They built their English communication skills while learning more about healthcare in Canada. The program focuses on language skills that healthcare professionals can use with patients, coworkers and other members of a care team.

"It's an English language program that teaches practical language and communication skills to participants from other countries," says Sara Wynne, a teacher in the program.

For participants, the program is a chance to practise their skills first before using them at their jobs or workplaces.

"It gives them the chance to practice healthcare language and communication skills in the classroom so they feel more confident speaking in the real world," shares Sara.

One visit took place at the Cool Aid Community Health Centre, which provides primary healthcare and social services to people in Victoria's downtown core. Another visit was to the Island Medical Program (IMP), which focuses on medical education, research and community engagement.

Karen Gabriela Daniel Cruz, a participant in the program, says the program helped her understand different ways of communicating between people and healthcare systems.

"I learned communication skills—how to communicate with patients and with coworkers—and how to remember the little things that matter," she describes. "I feel more confident and more prepared to talk with people in general, and how to approach a patient or a coworker."

For Anasofía Jaén Pérez, role-playing was her favourite part of the program. Participants took turns playing healthcare workers and patients, giving them a chance to practise real conversations in English.

"My favourite memory from class was role play," says Anasofía. "The teacher hands us an activity in which one is a patient and one is the healthcare worker—and it was pretty fun to see how we interpreted playing the patients."