Spanish for Health Care
2010 July 5-Week (2 Course) - Academics

Academic Focus

The Medical Spanish & Health Sciences Program at Veritas University is designed for students at all language levels who are dedicated to acquiring and improving specialized Spanish language skills in the medical field, familiarize themselves with cultural elements affecting communication with Spanish speaking patients and better understand and operate within a medical context involving native Spanish speakers. The program also allows students to gain insight into Costa Rica’s Health Care System.

Students can participate in a 1 or 2 Course option. Students taking the 1 Course option will be taking a Spanish for Health Professionals language course taught at three levels; beginning, intermediate, and advanced. The course focuses on developing the ability to effectively communicate with patients through intensive practice of speaking and listening comprehension along with some reading and grammar, all set within a medical context.

Students in the beginner course will learn to communicate at an elementary level; greeting patients, asking for personal and medical information, recognizing vocabulary related to medical instruments, describing physical and mental states of patients, etc. At the intermediate level students will practice more extensive communication with patients and other medical personnel. Advanced students will fine-tune their language skills, discussing topics such as advantages and disadvantages of traditional vs. holistic medicine and preparing talks or presentations given at clinics or conferences. Regardless of the level of instruction, students should expect to give presentations that will simulate medical provider-patient interactions.

Students enrolling in the 2 Course option will also take a Health Science elective which is complementary to the Spanish for Health Professionals language course. For example, the Costa Rican Health Care System course will provide you with insight into Costa Rica's socialized Health Care System, its strengths and weaknesses as well as the medical challenges presented by the country's tropical environment. In addition to in-class study, students will participate in field work consisting of visits to health fairs, medical clinics, and other course-related destinations.

The Spanish for Health Professionals language course meets for a total of 80 contact hours, which is generally worth 5 credits in the US semester system. The Health Science elective meets for an additional 60 contact hours, 46 hours of in-class work and 14 hours of field study, and is generally worth 4 credits.

Program Goals

This program is designed to combine your Spanish language coursework, with the opportunity to familiarize yourself with cultural elements affecting communication with patients, helping contribute to you being able to better understand and operate within a medical context involving native Spanish speakers.

Schedule Summary

For the 1 Course option (June 4-weeks), the Spanish for Health Professionals language class meets for four hours every morning, Monday through Friday. For the 1 Course option (July 4-weeks), the Spanish for Health Professionals language class meets in the afternoon. For the 2 Course option (July 5-weeks), the Health Science elective class meets in the morning and your Spanish for Health Professionals language class meets for four hours every afternoon, Monday through Friday.

Course Registration

The Spanish for Health Professionals course is offered at three different language levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Students take a Spanish language placement test prior to travelling. You will be required to take an oral interview on arrival to provide the final basis for your class placement. You will be placed in classes with other students of your own language level. In order to ensure that you receive credit for the level that you place into, it is in your best interest to have courses at several levels approved by your academic advisor prior to departure.