Ateneo - UPO

Having a good command of the English language is an essential skill for health professionals working in the biomedical sector. Hence, the need to provide physiotherapy students with a practical and immediate course aimed to improve and developi their communication skills in English (e.g., listening, speaking, reading and writing). The acquisition of these new language skills will allow students to use the English language independently in the workplace with colleagues and patients from abroad and to stay updated by reading and understanding scientific publications so as to ensurethe best physiotherapy assistance service.

Physiotherapy (Career Paths series) by Evans, Dooley and Hartley, Express publishing, 2015

Career Paths: Physiotherapy is a new educational resource for physiotherapy professionals who want to improve their English communication in a work environment. Incorporating career specific vocabulary and contexts, each unit offers step-by-step instruction that immerses students in the four key language components: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Career Paths: Physiotherapy addresses topics including the muscular system, reflexes, common injuries, diagnostic tests and medications. The series is organized into three levels of difficulty and offers a minimum of 400 vocabulary terms and phrases. Every unit includes a test of reading comprehension, vocabulary and listening skills and leads students through written and oral production. Included Features A variety of realistic reading passages Career-specific dialogues 45 reading and listening comprehension checks Over 400 vocabulary terms and phrases Guided speaking and writing exercises Complete glossary of terms and phrases The Teacher´s Guide contains detailed lesson plans, a full answer key and audio scripts. The audio CDs contain all recorded material. Books 1-3 of Career Paths: Physiotherapy are rated for the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages at A1, A2 and B1 respectively.

The book is available via the following link: https://www.expresspublishing.co.uk/it-it/career-paths-physiotherapy-students-book-with-digibooks-app

The aims, objectives and functions are those recommended by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for acquiring a B2 (upper-intermediate) level, all contextualized to physiotherapy. At the end of the course, the student will be able to communicate independently in English in the workplace. The student will also improve his/her pronunciation and listening skills and learn the most commonly used medical terms. Finally, the student will acquire the notions of grammar and syntax necessary for the understanding of scientific publications in English.

To make the most of the course contents, the student should have an intermediate level (B1) of general English, which is usually achieved at the end of secondary school. However, no international certification is required to participate in the course.

F2F lectures or, if necessary, online lessons through the DIR platform (Zoom).
For face-to-face lessons, a video projector will be used.
Lessons will be based on articles in English, the textbook, dictionary grammar-related photocopies or short articles.

All students are required to take a computerized English Placement Test. The test is mandatory but not selective or binding. In other words, it will not preclude students from attending the “English for Physiotherapy” course. The placement test does not replace the English exam, even in the case of C1 students. All students are required to prove that they have taken the entry test at the time of the registration to the “English for Physiotherapy” course. The placement test determines a student’s English level according to the international CEFR parameters. It is highly recommended that students with an A1 (elementary) or A2 (pre-intermediate) level should attend a basic English course preparatory to the "English for Physiotherapy” course.

The final exam will assess the students' English language skills in physiotherapy-related topics and tasks. The exam will consist of 1) multiple choice questions based on a text 2) multiple choice questions based on listening 3) questions on grammar and specific terminology. The exam will be calibrated on a B2 level (upper-intermediate) according to the CEFR parameters. The exam will be scored on a pass/no pass basis.

a) All chapters of the text book indicated in the bibliography;
b) All the material posted on the DIR platform of the course.

Specifically, the course will focus on the following topics
1) Glossary: body parts, bones, muscular system, joints, anatomical position, movement, motor tasks, reflexes;
2) Diagnosis and patient management: common injuries, risk factors, tests and physical examination, patient management, stretching, joint mobilization, balance improvement, resistance, aerobic and aquatic exercises, medications, prevention;
3) Common disorders: soft tissue, bone, nerve, lung, vascular, spine, shoulder, arms, hip and leg:
4) Specialties: neurological, geriatric, orthopedics, women’s health, pediatrics;
5) Grammar, syntax, sentence linkers (e.g., sequence, list, addition, contrast and comparison), cause-effect relationship, hypothetical and relative clauses, tentative language and noun modifiers;
6) Reading and comprehension of recently published scientific articles on common themes related to physiotherapy.

Thanks to their newly acquired English language skills, students will be able to read and understand texts of a scientific nature, allowing them to stay up to date and communicate with the international scientific community.