Medical Program

Designed by medical professionals in the US, collaborating with exceptional Mexican instructors and medical colleagues in La Paz and Guadalajara, the medical program is second to none in effectiveness and authenticity when learning medical Spanish language and culture. This medical program brings the student to the origin of the language and mannerisms that are directly applicable and functional when relating to Hispanic patients in other parts of the world.

The medical language and cultural curriculum are generally based on Mexican tradition and idioms but the program can be modified and expanded to discuss and study the unique needs of the medical professional's demographic patient population.

Medical language students, at our La Paz and Guadalajara schools, study both in the school and out in the appropriate clinical areas 'en vivo' with their medical counterparts. With support from the classroom, students step into the real life of Hispanic healthcare practitioners and their patients. The 'en vivo' aspect of the program is designed for the student to be present, observe, listen, converse and relate to the professionals and their patients. This program is a 'language clinical' experience rather than a 'hands on' medical practice experience. In this way, the student is free to communicate and learn, test their skills and enjoy the technical and social interaction without the pressure of providing direct care. The student can be involved in the care of the patient at whatever level of communication proficiency they possess. The advanced beginning student, although at times overwhelmed, can be a part of this medical experience at a level appropriate for their skills. An intermediate to advanced student will be wholly involved and challenged continually with an ever-advancing vocabulary and level of communication. Examples of 'en vivo' locations are in the hospitals, private offices, clinics, outpatient departments and community-based outreach programs.

This program is tailored to fit a multitude of medical specialties - nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers, religious associates, psychologists, psychiatrists, administrators and volunteers. Combining different language approaches, the medical program can focus on the unique language and practices of each specialty with the overall emphasis on grammatically correct, functional Spanish.

Highlights:

• The student may start ANY Monday of the year, given space available, with the exception of school vacations during the holiday season in December.
• The student may study for any length of time that he/she would like. With this program in particular, a minimum of 2 weeks is recommended but 1 week can be accommodated with the understanding that it is a very short time to achieve significant results. The ideal amount of time for most students appears (after 4 years of experience) to be 3-4 weeks. Programs of longer length can be easily accommodated as well for those students wishing to emerge as highly proficient speakers with extra emphasis on the medical language and cultural mores that are integral to the whole picture of health care delivery.
• It is recommended that the student possess at least an advanced-beginning proficiency in the general language before embarking on the technical medical language. Often, the student's program is tailored as a combination of general Spanish initially followed by the medical program as indicated by the student's individual proficiency and capability with the language. Each student's needs are discussed and organized well in before their program begins to insure that the student's time in the program is maximized.
• For students possessing at least an advanced-beginning capability, each student's proficiency level is evaluated by the Director of Education for appropriate placement in classes and educational material preparation. If it is determined that the student's initial level of proficiency is not sufficient to benefit from the 'en vivo' experience, then the student is offered an additional 2 hours of study daily in medically-related general conversation in order to move them as quickly and effectively as possible to a higher level of proficiency and comfort with the language. Beginning students are automatically offered 6 hours of classroom study in preparation for the 'en vivo' at a later time when the instructor and student feel prepared to step into the real world situations.
• Evident in all aspects of the program is the support for the student as he/she moves forward in the language.
• The classroom portion of the program is 20 hours per week in a small group setting, or 10 hours per week in private classes. The 'en vivo' experience is tailored to fit the individual needs of the student. Up to 20 hours a week, this portion of the experience will be adjusted to fit as needed.
• All students are sent a packet of information about what to bring, etc. upon receipt of registration.
• Groups of students wishing to come and study together will be welcomed and all attention given to making the experience exceptional for each and every student regardless of initial language proficiency.
• This medical program is accredited through the University of Arizona College of Nurses for continuing education credits. Students must state their intention to apply for credit before the onset of the program.