Course Syllabus

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AHS-1075 ENGLISH FOR HEALTHCARE

 

Course Description

Designed for non-native speakers of English, this course introduces language used in healthcare settings and provides an overview of the healthcare delivery system in the United States. Students learn to recognize and use healthcare terminology in written and oral communications. Vocabulary development includes elemental language used to describe healthcare facilities, medical professions, and body systems. Common symptoms, diseases, procedures, and equipment are also introduced. Intercultural competency with the goal of reducing communication obstacles in healthcare settings is considered. Recommend prior or concurrent learning: English for Academic Purposes. 

Prerequisite: None

Essential Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to: 

Essential Objectives

1. Demonstrate correct spelling and pronunciation of healthcare terms to facilitate clear communication in healthcare settings and minimize risks of medical errors.
2. Identify healthcare terms used in written and oral communications. 
3. Create a dictionary of new healthcare vocabulary.  
4. Demonstrate appropriate understanding and usage of healthcare terms, including terms related to healthcare facilities, medical professions, body systems, and other common vocabulary expected of those working in the healthcare setting.
5. Identify barriers to communication in healthcare settings, including the potential for biases and misunderstanding among diverse populations, explore prevention strategies, and outline steps to take if a misunderstanding occurs.
6. Describe the impact professionalism and communication have in a healthcare setting related to attitudes, behaviors, values, respect, and intercultural competency.
7. Demonstrate reading comprehension of healthcare scenarios involving patients, co-workers, and supervisors and role-play these scenarios using effective oral communication.
8. Employ healthcare terminology effectively in both written and oral communication, highlighting the role of language in supporting patient understanding and care coordination.
9. Describe the types of healthcare delivery in the US, including primary care, secondary care, and tertiary care.
10. Read, interpret, and analyze materials from diverse healthcare fields to demonstrate comprehension, reflect critically on the content, and apply insights to real-world contexts, emphasizing cultural and linguistic considerations.

Topics

Week 1: Introduction and Professionalism

Week  2: Communication & Healthcare Providers

Week 3: Overview of the Healthcare System & Organizations/Legal Terms

Week  4: Cultural Competency in Healthcare & Health Insurance Terms

Week  5: Intro to Body Systems and The Integumentary System and Intro to Personability

Week  6: Musculoskeletal System and Personability-Essential Skills

Week  7: Nervous System & Emotional Intelligence

Week  8: Respiratory System & Verbal Communication

Week  9: Digestive System & Nonverbal Communication

Week 10: Urinary System & Teamwork

Week  11: Reproductive System & Showcase Your Skills

Week  12: Cardiovascular System & Introduction to Techniques

Week  13: Special Senses & Communication Between Co-Workers & Receiving Feedback

Week 14: Endocrine System - Personability Essential Skills Recap

Week 15: Synthesis of Learning & Final Dictionary and Final Role Play Assessment

SYLLABUS
The format for the class will be similar every week. You will have Assignments, Online Discussions, and Quizzes each week to complete at home. There will be a Zoom/or In Class Meeting each week and will require participation.  You will also be expected to participate in online discussions a minimum of 2 times during the weeks assigned.  

Syllabus

Week & Objectives 

Review Before Class Meetings

Class Meetings

Assignments

Quizzes & Exams

 
WEEK 1

Obj. 2,3,6,7,9
  1. Course site
  2. Course Resources Module
  3. Lecture: Professionalism & Health Care Delivery Terms
  4. Vocabulary List
  1. Attend First Zoom/or In-Class Meeting (to be determined). 
  2. Please be ready with open computer to the Canvas course English for Healthcare.
  1. Introductions
  2. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  3. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  4. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas

1. Reading Comprehension Quiz: Demonstrating
professionalism in
Healthcare
2. Vocabulary Quiz
WEEK 2

Obj. 1,2,3,6,9

 
  1. Lecture: Communication and Healthcare Provider Terms
  2. Vocabulary List

 
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
 1.  Vocabulary Quiz 

WEEK 3

Obj. 1,2,3,7,9, 10
  1. Lecture: The Healthcare System in the US & Legal and Healthcare Organizations Terms
  2. Vocabulary List
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Journal Entry #1, submit on Canvas
  1. Reading Comprehension Quiz: HIPAA
  2. Vocabulary Quiz

WEEK 4

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5

6,7,8,9
  1. Lecture: Cultural Competency & Insurance Terms
  2. Vocabulary List
  3.  Online Discussion Assignment

 
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas

1. Vocabulary Quiz

WEEK 5

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5,6,

7,8,10
  1. Lecture: Introduction to Body Systems, Integumentary System, & NHA 's PersonAbility Essential Skills
  2. Vocabulary Lists
  3. Online Discussion Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.

 
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas
  7. Journal Entry #2, submit on Canvas

1. Vocabulary  Quiz
WEEK 6

Obj. 1,2,3,4,6,

7,8,10
  1. Lecture: Musculoskeletal System &  NHA 's Personability Essential Skills
  2. Vocabulary List
  3.  Online Discussion Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas

1. Vocabulary Quiz
WEEK 7

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,

& 10

 
  1. Lecture: Nervous System & Emotional Intelligence
  2. Vocabulary List
  3.  Online Discussion Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas
  1. Reading Comprehension Quiz: EMG Report Interpretation
  2. Vocabulary Quiz

WEEK 8

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5,

6,7,8, 10
  1. Lecture: Respiratory System & Verbal Communication
  2. Vocabulary List
  3.  Online Discussion Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas
  1. Reading Comprehension Quiz: Chest X-ray
  2. Vocabulary Quiz

 

WEEK 9

Obj. 1,2,3,,4,5

6,7,8

 
  1. Lecture: Digestive System & Nonverbal Communication
  2. Vocabulary List
  3.  Online Discussion Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.

 
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas
  7. Journal Entry #3, submit on Canvas

1.  Vocabulary Quiz

 

WEEK 10

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 10

 
  1. Lecture: Urinary System & Teamwork
  2. Vocabulary List
  3.  Online Discussion Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas
  1. Reading Comprehension Quiz: Vaccine Preventable Adult Diseases 
  2. Vocabulary Quiz

 

WEEK 11

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5,6,

7,8,10
  1. Lecture: Reproductive System & Showcase Your Skills
  2. Vocabulary List
  3.  Online Discussion Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas
  1. Vocabulary Quiz
  2. Reading Comprehension Quiz: STI Screening Recommendations

 

WEEK 12

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5

6,7,8,

 

 
  1. Lecture - Cardiovascular & Lymphatic Systems + Essential Skills Techniques & Steps
  2. Vocabulary List
  3.  Online Discussion Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas
  7. Journal Entry #4, submit on Canvas

1. Vocabulary quiz

WEEK 13

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5,

6,7,8

 
  1. Lecture - Special Senses System & Communication Between Co-Workers
  2. Vocabulary List
  3. Online Discussion Assignment
  4. Self-Reflection Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Spelling & Pronunciation Check, submit on Canvas
  5. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  6. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas

1.  Vocabulary Quiz

WEEK 14

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5,

6,7,8,910
  1. Lecture: Endocrine System & Essential Skill Recap!
  2. Vocabulary List
  3.  Online Discussion Assignment
  4. Final Exam
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to pronunciation & videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  5. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas
  1. Vocabulary Quiz
  2. Final Exam

WEEK 15

Obj. 1,2,3,4,5,

6,7,8
  1. Lecture: Synthesis of Learning with Final Role Play, Final Discussion, & Final Dictionary Assignment
  2. Online Discussion Assignment
  3. Dictionary Assignment
  1. Attend Meeting.
  2. Be ready with open computer to the Course Site on Canvas.
  1. Read Lecture, vocabulary terms, and articles
  2. Listen to videos
  3. Role Play & Assessment, submit on Canvas
  4. Final Dictionary Assignment, submit on Canvas
  5. Online Discussion, 2 posts, submit on Canvas

Percentage of grade

Discussion= 30% 

In-Class Activities and Other Assignments=30 %

Spelling & Pronounciation & Dictionary = 20%

Quizzes and Exams = 20%

 

 

 

 
 

Grading 

Your final grade will be based on the following assessments:

Syllabus
Assignment Category Grade Weight Percentage
Discussion 30%
In Class Activities & Other Assignments 30%
Spelling & Pronounciation & Dictionary 20%
Quizzes & Exams 20%
Total 100%

 

Assignments Overview

This course includes a variety of assessments to help reinforce the terminology from each module. There will be discussions, quizzes, journaling assignments, as well as an informational interview and final presentation assignment. Be sure to review the full descriptions of the major projects and assignments in the Course Resources module.

You will find the following documents helpful as you plan your schedule: 

  • English For Healthcare Study Guide
  • English For Healthcare Syllabus

Assessment 

Rubrics are attached to each of your discussions and assignments. It’s important to review the grading rubrics before starting your work so that you will know exactly how your work will be assessed. Please review the instructions for viewing assignment rubrics and for viewing discussion rubrics. 

Feedback

It is important to review feedback for your assignments and discussions to see where you are meeting expectations and where additional work may be needed. You can  review rubric results  from the instructor for your assignments and discussions. Your instructor may also leave general comments or annotation feedback within the assignment link.

 

Student Support & Policies

Please review the following policies and support services:

 

 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due