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Description
Learning medical vocabulary poses significant challenges for students in English for Medical Purposes (EMP) courses due to the complexity and volume of specialized terminology. This study explores the challenges faced by medical students in learning English medical vocabulary and the strategies they employ at Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy.
A descriptive mixed-methods design was adopted involving medical students enrolled in English courses at the university. Data were collected through questionnaires and open-ended responses to examine students’ perceptions of vocabulary learning difficulties and preferred learning strategies. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses were categorized into recurring themes.
The findings revealed that students experienced difficulties in pronouncing, memorizing, and applying medical terminology in communicative contexts. Repetition and translation-based strategies were commonly used, whereas contextual learning and digital tools were perceived as more effective for vocabulary retention and engagement. The study highlights the importance of integrating more interactive and communicative approaches into EMP instruction to support students’ vocabulary development and practical language use.
Keywords: medical vocabulary, EMP, vocabulary learning strategies, medical students, ESP
Biography
Dr. Tran Thi Loan has been a lecturer of English for 26 years and is currently teaching at Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam. She teaches General English and English for Medical Purposes to medical students. Throughout her career, she has presented at academic conferences and published a number of research papers both in Vietnam and internationally. Her research interests include English for Specific Purposes (ESP), medical English teaching, medical vocabulary acquisition, and learner-centered approaches to language education. She is particularly interested in integrating communicative activities and discipline-specific content into English instruction for healthcare students. In addition, she previously taught ESP courses for physical education students while working as an English instructor at Son La College. She also teaches students and adult learners preparing for international and national English proficiency examinations, including IELTS, CEFR, VSTEP, and Aptis. She has also compiled four textbooks and workbooks for students majoring in Preventive Medicine and Pharmacy.
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