On the 10th November 2016 a group of 21 M.A. Nursing students and their leading teacher, Ms. Elżbieta Perepeczko, took part in Piloting activities from the HELP project.
The piloted Module 9 “Drugs” was given to students in the written version. Additionally, the students were familiarized with the HELP platform.
The students tested all types of the exercises, including the interactive ones:
– all writing and speaking exercises were practiced
– vocabulary exercises (Language Focus 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4)
– Listening 1 – ICNP key words
– Listening 2 – Introduction to “Drugs” – a conversation between a nurse and a student
– Video Clip 1 – Distribution of a drug in the form of eye drops
– Video Clip 2 – Drug administration via the intramuscular injection
– writing exercises – Medication Order, MAR
– Language Corner
The idea of the HELP project was really welcomed by the students, especially that they remember well the patchwork of materials prepared by the English teachers during their B.A. course of studies at Medical University of Gdańsk, Language Department.
The students were demonstrated and tested Module 9 on two levels – first they were introduced to the HELP platform and its navigation. Next, all the students were handed in the pdf written versions of the module. A variety of tasks was covered, including the interactive ones which were given a lot of appreciation.
The students only did not experience working with the HELP Learning App which is not ready yet. Therefore, the questionnaires do not cover the part on the HELP Learning App.
The paper versions of the questionnaires were filled in after having completed the module both by the teacher and 21 students.
All the participants agreed to receive the HELP newsletter.
Strong points mentioned:
- Innovative language programme on English for Medical Purposes (students have never come across similar materials on such professional healthcare and linguistic level)
- Innovative incorporation of intercultural topics into EMP learning/teaching
- Great admiration for cooperation with ICN, having access to ICNP catalogues and benefiting from this database
- Variety of listening exercises (traditional listenings & video clips)
- Every listening and video clip can be listened to a few times, which is very helpful and beneficial to learners
- The cartoons are the most interesting form of learning to many students
Great support for lower-level students:
– a single task can be repeated
– possibility of changing the speed of recording in listening exercises
– individual key words recorded
– emphasis on pronunciation (providing students with transcription and recording) – students appreciate that we give them the tool, they say it is really hard to find reliable sources to check pronunciation of medical words
– providing the learners with tapescript under every listening comprehension task
Supporting individualized, not formalized education:
– students appreciate the possibility of self-learning, individually paced and tailored education, they admit all of them have a bit different abilities and needs. Therefore, some of them would need more time for listening exercises, some for reading, some for preparation to speaking tasks.
– There are many students who are fond of additional linguistic self-training and self-development at home.
Comments:
- The B1/B2 level is adequate for this target group
- Some students cannot wait the HELP App (they support their foreign language learning by using different apps, especially bilingual dictionaries)
- Quality of some recordings has to be improved; echoing sounds have to be reduced – they were especially noticeable in a big classroom
- The group agreed to use the pictures taken during piloting on the HELP website.
The general feedback was very positive. Students pointed to lack of educational materials on Medical English on the Polish market, with special emphasis put on media-based didactic materials. They are impatient to start using the final version of the platform and being able to download full pdf versions of the modules. Additionally, some participants also declared the willingness to use the HELP app.
