Language Proficiency & Medical Spanish Programs
Why is Language Proficiency Important?
The summer between your first- and second-year of medical school is an excellent time to develop the requisite language skills applicable to clinical settings in third and fourth year, as well as residency. Many students will rotate through BMC-affiliated community health centers, as well as the BMC Harrison Avenue Campus (where multiple languages are spoken). Development of language skills prior to the fourth year of medical school will enable students to complete a clinical international health elective in the country of their choice with more competency and ease. Students cannot receive funding or credit for a clinical elective in a country if they do not possess the requisite language skills. Some programs include language development and cultural immersion.
Directories/Listings of Language Programs for Browsing
- American Medical Student Association (http://www.amsa.org/global/ih/ihopps.cfm) This link will take you to the “International Health Opportunities Directory.” Search by “opportunity type” and choose “Medical Spanish” in the drop-down menu.
- Global Health Education Consortium (http://www.globalhealth-ec.org/GHEC/Resources/ForeignLang_resources.htm) This directory focuses mainly on medical Spanish programs with a list of additional references for medical language study.
Medical Spanish Programs
The most common (and most popular) language programs available to medical students are those that teach medical Spanish. The table below lists medical Spanish programs inside and outside the United States. Medical Spanish programs abroad have varying degrees of exposure to native culture and medical clinics. You will need to explore the various programs listed below to determine which program suits your needs. Some programs have an established medical Spanish curriculum specifically designed for medical students and health professionals (i.e., their core mission is to educate medical personnel to better serve Spanish-speaking patient populations) while other programs focus on Spanish instruction with medical terminology provided as an adjunct to the curriculum. You cannot receive fourth-year credit for a Medical Spanish language program unless it is one of the sanctioned programs noted below by the +.
* = one of the most popular programs among B.U. medical students
+ = program is approved for fourth-year credit
