The Review on English for Medical Purposes: Course Development and Evaluation in China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53797/ujssh.v4i1.43.2025Keywords:
English for Specific Purposes (ESP), English for Medical Purposes (EMP), Needs Analysis (NA), course design, curriculum evaluation, medical English educationAbstract
This review critically examines the development and evaluation of English for Medical Purposes (EMP) in China within the broader domain of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Integrating theoretical constructs and empirical research, it explores how core ESP principles, especially needs analysis, genre-based instruction, and task-based learning, have shaped pedagogical practices in EMP. The paper identifies the unique communicative demands of medical students, alongside persistent institutional and sociocultural barriers to effective course delivery. It also highlights the uneven implementation of national initiatives such as the Medical English Test System (METS), and ongoing challenges in teacher expertise, curriculum design, and assessment reliability. Through a synthesis of current practices and systemic gaps, the review calls for coherent curriculum reform, cross-disciplinary teacher development, and rigorous, context-sensitive evaluation models. Ultimately, it advocates for the redefinition of EMP not as a peripheral language supplement, but as a strategic pillar in China's medical education system amid the demands of globalized healthcare.
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