The English Language Needs of Health Sciences Students in Turkey

Abstract

With English established as the lingua franca for science and technology, and considering the growing number of international patients in Turkey, the English education of health science students is now recognized as a significant factor in health education. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the English language education needs of health sciences students in the Turkish context. In an effort to address this gap, this study explored (1) the opinions of Turkish health sciences students about English language education, (2) their needs regarding reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, (3) their perceived problems in learning English, and (4) their opinions and suggestions about the English language education they receive. Six hundred and thirty-one students enrolled in the Faculty of Health Sciences at a foundation university participated in this study. Data were collected through a questionnaire comprising fifty-nine five-point Likert scale items and two open-ended questions. Findings revealed that health sciences students consider both general and academic English significant. They prefer course materials in English lessons to be related to health education fields and express a desire for more interactive lessons with a special emphasis on speaking. According to the study results, students always need all four language skills for their profession; however, speaking and reading were identified as the most essential skills. Concerning perceived challenges in learning English, students face more difficulties in using English for academic purposes than for general purposes, highlighting the necessity for an effective language program tailored to their specific needs.