About Us
Company Description
Why study Medical Spanish?
Individuals Participating in the program
What is Immersion?
Objectives, Evaluations, Requirements
PreProgram
Testimonials
Employment
Register
Spanish for Medical is a company that partners closely with many language programs. We provide quality Medical Spanish programs for professionals such as:
- Physicians
- Physicians Assistants
- Medical Students
- Nurse Practitioners
- Registered Nurses
- Vocational Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapist
- Medical Technicians
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Medical Aides
- Medical Interpreter
- Students in Health Care Industry
If you are not specifically seeking a medically oriented language program the school also offers basic language courses. Please see other course selections for more information.
Today's medical professionals must adapt to meet the challenges that come with the growing diversity in the health care population demographic. Some of these challenges are not only linguistic but also cultural at their root. This often necessitates that health care providers learn to clearly and effectively communicate with patients and their relatives in a second language.
The reality for many health care professionals is that Spanish is the first language of a large percentage of the population served. Miscommunication and misunderstanding of critical information can have a negative impact on every day patient care, not to mention situations where matters of life and death are at stake. Possessing the ability to speak basic Spanish will reduce the need for providers to enlist the services of an interpreter for common everyday communication tasks.
We at Spanish for Medical are in agreement with traditional academic institutions that one needs to study the basic rules of grammar, vocabulary and other key fundamentals of Spanish to learn the language. However, much of the traditional curriculum in high school and college is based on rote memorization. We believe a key component is missing - namely an emphasis on verbal communication and in addition to that a practical understanding of cultural values and assumptions.
Our Study Abroad program emphasizes and integrates both components via classroom exercises and the Immersion Method. Immersion Method is when a student is surrounded by nothing but the culture and are constantly speaking Spanish in places such as local shops, markets, gyms, bars, restaurants, school, and with their host families. Students find themselves applying their newly acquired skills on an everyday basis with appropriate feedback from their professors as well as the people around them. This method allows the student to hone their abilities in a supportive and relaxed environment.
Why Study Medical Spanish Abroad?
How studying abroad differs from traditional techniques:
1) The student finds himself or
herself immersed in the language and the culture.
2) Classes are on a smaller scale (max of 4 students
per class) which lowers the teacher to student
ratio and allows the instructor to give greater
personalized attention to each student.
3) Classes are 4 hours a day. Since classes are
covering a single subject, more hours do not necessarily
translate into more effective learning. Students
need time to absorb and integrate what they have
studied.
4) Each student has the option to stay with host
families and thus gain insights into everyday life, values
and assumptions Latino culture. These are, in
some ways, just as important to learning as understanding
the technical details of the language itself.
5) There are plenty of enjoyable activities such
as biking, hiking, swimming, running, aerobics,
yoga, dance classes, cooking classes, white water
rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, horseback
riding, surfing, etc... available through
the program.
6) Classes taken with language programs can be
transferred for credit depending on your schools
requirements.
Individuals that participate in the program:
Participants range from young learners to seniors, high school students to graduate students and seasoned professionals to those just beginning their careers. Just about any person with a desire to learn the language will be given the opportunity to do so and at the same time enjoy the many exotic wonders of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is easily accessible from North America and is only a 2 to 7 hour direct flight from the US depending upon your departure point. Many major cities in the US have direct services, but this depends on the airline. We can also help you find a travel agent who can help you search for best rate.
What is Immersion?
Definition of Immersion: a state of complete attention or an exertion of intense mental effort.
When a student is undergoing a language school program that incorporates the Immersion Method, the student needs to comprehend that, although Immersion begins in the classroom it continues with experiences ranging from interacting with their host families to many other out-of-class activities. A student can introduce themselves to the town by going to local coffee shops, open markets, parks, gyms, dance classes, cooking classes, sports activities, shopping, etc. Reading a Spanish book or a children's book, listening to music and watching local T.V. news may also help to broaden the experience.
One can make an effort to expand ones newly learned vocabulary by constantly practicing and attempting to communicate with Spanish speakers. A good conversation starter is, "Que hora es?" Which means- "What time is it?" In addition to memorization and reading, the student can completely immerse themselves to a greater degreee by participating in extra activities aside from the normal school requirements. In this way, a student can take their first step towards integrating another language into their life
Objectives, Evaluations, Requirements
Base Registration with Spanish For Medical includes one week of regular Spanish and Medical Spanish. The price for Medical Spanish is additional. Students learn the fundamentals of the language via Regular classes and then build upon that foundation by incorporating Medical terminology and field specific vocabulary through the Medical Classes . See our Rates section for additional information or email info@spanishformedical.com
Regular classes typically begin at 8:00 AM and end at 12:30 PM. After Regular classes, Medical classes meet afterward for an additional four extra hours per week (2 hours per day meeting twice a week). There are also two optional visits per week.
For example: Students will have an opportunity to follow a local medical professional as they make their rounds visiting local families in their homes. Depending on availability students enrolled in the Medical Spanish program will either visit the main Turrialba hospital or one of the local clinics.
SCHEDULE
| Day/Time |
7:30 |
8:00 |
1:00 |
1:30 |
3:30 |
6:30 |
8:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday |
Test
for level |
Regular
Classes start |
Lunch |
Orientation
around town |
- |
- |
Welcome
drink |
| Tuesday |
- |
Classes
start |
Lunch |
Half
day tour (see excursions) |
- |
- |
Dance
Class |
| Wednesday |
- |
Classes
start |
Lunch |
Medical
Class (2 hrs) |
- |
- |
- |
| Thursday |
- |
Classes
start |
Lunch |
Medical
Class (2 hrs) |
Medical
Visits |
Cooking
Class |
- |
| Friday |
- |
Classes
start |
Lunch |
Medical
Visits (Optional) |
- |
- |
- |
| Saturday |
- |
Weekend
Tour (see excursions more details) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Note: * Dominical classes start at 9:00 am
*In the high season, classes and activities may shift to different times.
There are a few things one has to consider when choosing a Spanish program.
1) Flexibility is key. There are various levels of Spanish proficiency and many students have unrealistically high expectations when it comes to language schools. In reality, the process of learning a language takes time and varies from individual to individual. However, having a firm grasp on the fundamentals and living in an environment which encourages daily practice with native speakers plus ready access to informed training, will get you on your way to strengthening your communication abilities in Spanish, both in everyday life and in the workplace.
2) Please keep in mind that curriculum offerings are subject to change depending on weather, time and availability.
For example:
a. Medical visits to hospitals (They might have
surveyors involved in constructing additions to
the site)
b. Clinics (Many are closed on Holidays)
c. Home visits (Sometimes families are not around,
even after being notified.)
Different levels of Spanish language proficiency must be taken into consideration as well.
When you are a beginner, the main emphasis will be on Vocabulary acquisition. For example: proper greetings between providers and clients or the appropriate presentation of pertinent medical information.
Students will be asked to participate in observation of appointments and patient evaluations.
Much of the curriculum is based on materials from University of Texas.
There is also a volunteer program that gives students the additional opportunities to put their newfound language skills to use in a practical environment. Students can volunteer to teach at places such as orphanages and various other sites. This allows the students to begin to differentiate between different dialects and annunciations.
Pre-Program
The Organization has put together a Pre-Institute Orientation Program so that our students have the easiest possible transition into the Costa Rican culture. Instead of flying into Costa Rica the day before your language program is to start, you fly in three days earlier. A representative from the Organization's staff will pick you up and take you to our Guest House in San Jose or to a local B&B.
The four days you spend with them will be filled with tours, activities and experiences designed to show you the Costa Rican culture. We want to limit the amount of culture shock that can occur when first traveling to another country. They have found that students who have arrived early for their programs have had an easier time adjusting to their host families and make better use of their first few days of classes.
This program acts like a buffer for our students and is intended to make their first few days in Costa Rica days in which they can relax and enjoy their surroundings in a comfortable environment. We recommend this program to all travelers, experienced and non-experienced alike. It is a fun and inexpensive way to get to know the country and its people.
The cost of the program, including lodging at the Student Guest House, is $275 for a shared room and $305 for private. If you would like to stay in one of the very nice local B&Bs that Spanish for Medical works with, the cost of the program is $305 for a shared room and $350 for a private one. These prices include all meals, transportation, tours and admissions to museums, theaters and parks and bilingual guide.
Testimonials
Keeli
Before I left for Costa Rica I was struggling
in my OB/GYN rotation because I could not understand
a word of what most of my patients were telling
me. When in Costa Rica, I not only learned a ton,
but I had a great time. I met so many wonderful
friends and I was able to experience a different
culture. The teachers were so incredible and really
worked with me, sometimes one on one, to improve
my Spanish. I went during the month of December
and being able to experience Christmas and New
Years with my Tico family was definitely something
I will never forget. I don't claim now by any
means to be fluent but after my month in Costa
Rica I am able to communicate much better with
my patients.
Jenny
This was such a memorable experience that I recommend
it to anyone, regardless of age. The activities
were fun for everyone, from families to Teenagers
to adults. I stayed primarily in Turrialba where
I lived with an amazing family who made me a part
of their family the day I moved in. This was one
of the most helpful parts of the program as I
was able to practice my Spanish after school,
in the comfortable environment of my "own
home". The town and people made a perfect
immersion environment, being able to make new
friends and adventure around the town, all while
practicing my Spanish. The school was a great
set up. Class took place
in screened tikki huts surrounded by the lush
Costa Rica fauna. Class was a great place to build
on my Spanish language foundation. The
Comfort level and small number of students in
each class made it really easy to advance quickly.
No class I've taken in the United States can compare
to how much I learned in my 2-month stay in Costa
Rica. The only downfall-you won't want to leave!
San Diego, California
Employment
Currently, Spanish For Medical has no openings
at this time. Inquire about possible internship
programs in Costa Rica. Inquire with Spanish for
Medical for more details.