Teaching Medical Terminology to ELL Students & Non-Native English Speakers

According to AAMC, 1 in 5 physicians in the United States were born and educated abroad. In addition, the United States had nearly 5 million ELL students in elementary and secondary schools, and U.S. universities hosted well over a million international students in the 2022/2023 academic year, a 12% increase from the previous year.

While the English levels of these students may vary extensively, the fact is that as a Health Science educator, it wouldn’t be unusual to have students who are non-native English speakers in your courses throughout your career. 

As well as differentiating for students with various learning needs, it’s essential that educators are aware of the challenges (and, in some cases, advantages) these students may face in the classroom, especially when it comes to courses like Medical Terminology. You’ll need strategies at your disposal to tailor your teaching approach to support these students in their journey to their careers in the healthcare field. 

Here at Caduceus, we’re here to offer you guidance on this topic, as well as information on how our online Medical Terminology  course already has some of these strategies integrated:

What’s the Difference Between ESL/ELL (in the College Setting)?

Before we go into more detail, let’s back up a bit. You’ve probably heard the terms “ESL” (English as a Second Language) and “ELL” (English Language Learner) used interchangeably. 

While ESL refers specifically to structured programs or courses designed to teach English to non-native speakers, ELL refers to the students themselves who are learning English as an additional language. That being said, if you have students enrolled in English courses, you may see those courses – or the students themselves – referred to as either one, though that’s not technically correct. You may also see “TOEFL” and other names of these courses as some students may have to enroll in these classes before – or in conjunction with – their standard studies, which is the more appropriate and common term.

Ultimately, knowing which of your students are classified as “ELL” students taking “ESL” courses means that you’ll know which of them may not be at the same level of speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension as your native English speakers. This is important when teaching all the complex concepts in the Health Sciences, as well as courses that incorporate Latin, like Medical Terminology. English is built on Latin roots, but it may be hard to draw these connections if you’re not a native speaker. 

Understanding the Challenges That ESL/ELL Students Face

Each ELL student will have their own unique abilities in English based on their native tongue, how many years they’ve been studying/exposed to English, and more. You cannot group all ELL students in one pod, just as you wouldn’t do that to your other students. But understanding the everyday challenges these students face can help you be more empathetic to what they need from you as their teacher:

Language Barriers and Cognitive Load

Medical terminology is complex, often rooted in Latin and Greek, and presents a significant cognitive load even for native English speakers. For ESL students, this challenge is compounded by their need to master English language skills and medical vocabulary simultaneously. This dual burden can lead to increased frustration and slower progress.

Pronunciation and Phonetics

Many medical terms have difficult pronunciations, which can be particularly challenging for ESL students whose native languages have different phonetic structures. This can impact their confidence and ability to participate in verbal communication within the medical field.

Cultural and Educational Differences

The educational backgrounds of ESL students can vary widely. Some may come from educational systems emphasizing rote memorization, while others may have had more interactive and discussion-based learning experiences. These differences can affect how they approach learning medical terminology.

Varying Levels of English Proficiency

ESL students come with varying levels of English proficiency. Some may have advanced conversational skills but need help with specialized vocabulary, while others might have limited English skills overall. This diversity requires flexible teaching strategies.

Which Native Speakers May Face More or Fewer Challenges?

Again, the challenges ELL students face in the classroom will depend on many different factors. Still, when it comes to learning courses like Medical Terminology, some ELL students may have an easier/more challenging time than others.

Whether the Native Language Has Latin Roots

Over 60% of all English words have Latin roots, and as many medical terms are derived from Latin, native English speakers may have an easier time learning medical terminology. This also applies to students whose native languages have Latin roots, such as Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. So, if you’re wondering why ELL students who speak these native languages might catch on quicker than ELL students whose native language is non-Latin based (like Japanese, Korean, or Arabic), that could be why. 

Of course, this isn’t always the case. Learning any new language typically starts with grammatical structure and vocabulary. This means any ELL student studying English for a bit may be more adept at recognizing those similarities than a native English speaker who may have never been formally taught about these roots. 

18 Tips for Teaching Medical Terminology to ELL Students (Online)

Now that you understand more about English language learners, how can you, as an educator, support them? Here are some tips for helping your ELL students learn medical terminology, but also other topics in their health science program that may have complicated language:

Create a Supportive Learning Environment

1. Encourage Questions: Foster an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions. This can alleviate the pressure they might feel about their language skills.
2. Promote Peer Support: Pair ELL students with more advanced English speakers for study groups. This peer support can enhance learning and build confidence. And doing it in an online setting means that students don’t have to be singled out. 
3. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate small achievements to keep students motivated.
4. Differentiate Learning: Even with the above strategies, it’s important to give all students a chance to succeed. This means that you may not grade ELL students entirely the same way you’d grade native speakers. For example, maybe you don’t take points off for spelling errors. 

Use Visual Aids, Cheatsheets, and Technology

5. Flashcards and Diagrams: Use visual aids like flashcards, diagrams, and infographics to help students connect medical terms with images. These are best if they come with labels. Encourage students to keep a file for these resources on their computer so they can draw from them at any time.
6. Create Vocabulary Sheets: In addition to the above, any new medical terminology introduced can be accompanied by a vocabulary sheet explaining all the related terms. Providing this to ELL students prior to beginning a new lesson gives them additional time to learn that vocabulary, write notes, or add images.
7. Provide an Easy Way to Translate: Ensure that lessons, worksheets, and any other tools are available in printable format or a live document so students can translate to their native language if need be. 
8. Videos and Animations: Incorporate videos and animations that explain medical terms in context. Visual and auditory learning combined can enhance retention and help students who might be stronger at listening than speaking or writing. See if these can be offered with closed captioning available, which is also helpful for students who are hard of hearing or simply prefer to read subtitles. 
9. Online Dictionaries and Translation Tools: Encourage the use of medical dictionaries and translation tools tailored for medical terminology. These resources can provide immediate clarification, especially in online courses. If the technology is available, embrace it!

Simplify and Scaffold Learning

10. Break Down Terms: Teach students how to break down complex medical terms into root words, prefixes, and suffixes. This helps them understand the components and build new terms and also works for native English speakers as much as non-native speakers. 
11. Use Simple Language First: Start with simpler, more commonly used terms before moving on to more complex terminology.
12. Build Gradually: It’s important to meet your students where they are, but don’t underestimate their capabilities. By gradually increasing the complexity of the terms and concepts, students have an opportunity to build on previous knowledge and learn at their own pace. 

Incorporate Language Learning Techniques

13. Contextual Learning: This may go without saying, but be sure to teach medical terminology in context rather than in isolation. Use case studies, patient scenarios, and practical applications to make the terms more meaningful. Role-playing lessons can go a long way here. 
14. Repetition and Reinforcement: Reinforce learning through repetition and practice. Regular quizzes, flashcard reviews, and interactive activities can help solidify knowledge, as well as provide supplemental materials for ELL students to do additional practice on their own. 
15. Phonetic Practice: Provide phonetic guides and practice sessions for pronunciation. Repetition and practice are key to mastering difficult pronunciations. Make sure to include all students in this to ensure you aren’t singling anyone out. 

Foster Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity

16. Respect Cultural Differences: Be mindful of cultural differences in learning styles and communication. Adapt your teaching methods to be inclusive and respectful, and if comfortable, encourage your ELL students to bring their own experiences to the table. 
17. Avoid Singling Out: Integrate support measures that benefit all students, not just ELL learners. This avoids putting your ELL students on the spot, who might feel self-conscious about their language skills.
18. Create Inclusive Materials: Ensure that teaching materials reflect diverse cultures and languages. This representation can make ESL students feel more included and understood.

How Caduceus’ Medical Terminology Can Help Educators Support ESL Students

If you’re looking for an online medical terminology course that caters not only to future healthcare professionals but also to students who are learning English or are non-native speakers, then our course is for you. Designed to accommodate every type of learner, Caduceus’ Medical Terminology course provides a comprehensive foundation on this topic, which incorporates the latest innovative tools and technology to help assist educators as they support their ELL students:

• Engaging Learning Experience: With 30 hours of web-based, audio-visual content, ELL students can immerse themselves in the study of medical terminology. This format allows them to develop essential language skills in a structured and engaging way, helping to overcome language barriers.
• Accessible Resources: Thousands of diagrams, illustrations, and real medical photos provide vibrant visual aids that enhance comprehension. These resources are especially helpful for any students who may struggle with text-heavy materials, allowing them to grasp complex concepts through visual learning.
• Flexible Learning: Though the class is led by the instructor, this interactive and self-paced learning experience is asynchronous. This flexibility allows ELL students additional time to review and understand new terms and concepts at a pace that feels comfortable. 
• Comprehensive Assessment: Self-test quizzes, chapter reviews, and multimedia lectures help ELL students test their understanding and retention of the material. These assessments provide immediate feedback, enabling educators to identify areas where students may need additional support.

Teaching medical terminology to ELL students requires a combination of the right course material, supplemental materials, technology tools, and a patient and understanding educator who understands the challenges these students may face. Let our Medical Terminology course be your partner in helping these students pass this course and go on to successful careers. Sign up for our demo today.