Ateneo - UPO

The increasingly global context in which healthcare professionals operate makes English proficiency imperative. This course aims to give students language skills that will guarantee their autonomy in the workplace when interacting with foreign coworkers and patients; an opportunity for academic updating through skillful engagement with scientific publications and consultation; and competent use of conference language.

Therefore, the course will cover the following contents:

- a broad overview of syntax and terminology that is helpful in a scientific or medical setting;
- a summary of the body's organs and systems, common disorders, and other broad scientific concepts;
- a more focused examination of subjects pertinent to the physiotherapy field;
- essential resources for writing and reading academic content;
- fundamental instruments for delivering an effective presentation.

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

The book is available via the following link: (the student has to choose the format):
1 possibility: DIGIBOOKS APPLICATION ONLY
https://www.expresspublishing.co.uk/it/content/career-paths-physiotherapy

2 possibility: paper book
'student's book with cross-platform application'
https://www.expresspublishing.co.uk/it/content/career-paths-physiotherapy

Further texts (excerpts will be provided by the lecturer
- Cox, K., David Hill. English fo Academic Purposes. Pearson Longman. 2004.
- Wallwork A. English for Presentations and International Conferences. Springer. 2016.
Individual studying on a grammar with exercises is also recommended.

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.

Frontal lectures includeing Power-Point presentations – the classroom is equipped with a computer with an Internet connection and a projector - the textbook; interactive tools such as Mentimeter and Padlet; other resources available on the DIR platform. Student interaction is contemplated: quick tasks will be given for pairs or small groups to complete.

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.
7) Conference English.

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.