Prescription for ESL Student Success

Trained health care workers are a critical need in Texas and In order to meet this need, it is imperative to reach out to the English as a Second Language (ESL) population. By 2008, Hispanics will account for more than 40 percent of the state’s population. A primary factor reducing the success of ESL students in health science programs has been in their clinical experience portion of their programs. At this point students face problems with patient communication as well as cultural differences. To address this problem, this project has designed and developed a series of course modules that can be utilized as supplemental instruction or embedded modules in health occupation introductory courses. These modules will assist an ever increasing ESL special population in improving their communication skills with patients as well as address the cultural differences they face in the medical workplace. The technology supported modules will provide students with visual, aural and conceptual information about critical words, idiomatic expressions and cultural issues utilized in a health care setting.

The modules were developed and revised based on current course content by teams of faculty and others who are experts in the field of ESOL and the health sciences. The modules utilize a wide variety of instructional methods. Modules may be utilized in face to face lecture or may be provided to students for individual or supplemental study. It is expected that these materials could be used by nursing students as a part of their improvement plans or, if necessary, their re-admission process.

This project addresses participation by facilitating the inclusion of English as Second Language students into the health science courses. By utilizing ESOL modules as supplemental instruction in the health science courses, students will be more likely to succeed and more ESOL students will be able to take these courses. To meet the goal of improved student success, with specific ESOL assistance utilizing these modules, ESOL students will make the transition to higher level Allied Health and Nursing courses more easily and the current problem of these students dropping out during the clinical portion of their program will be addressed.


HOME SKILLS ANALYSIS ESOL MODULES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LINKS CONTACT US	Trained health care workers are a critical need in Texas and In order to meet this need, it is imperative to reach out to the English as a Second Language (ESL) population. By 2008, Hispanics will account for more than 40 percent of the state’s population. A primary factor reducing the success of ESL students in health science programs has been in their clinical experience portion of their programs. At this point students face problems with patient communication as well as cultural differences. To address this problem, this project has designed and developed a series of course modules that can be utilized as supplemental instruction or embedded modules in health occupation introductory courses. These modules will assist an ever increasing ESL special population in improving their communication skills with patients as well as address the cultural differences they face in the medical workplace. The technology supported modules will provide students with visual, aural and conceptual information about critical words, idiomatic expressions and cultural issues utilized in a health care setting. The modules were developed and revised based on current course content by teams of faculty and others who are experts in the field of ESOL and the health sciences. The modules utilize a wide variety of instructional methods. Modules may be utilized in face to face lecture or may be provided to students for individual or supplemental study. It is expected that these materials could be used by nursing students as a part of their improvement plans or, if necessary, their re-admission process. This project addresses participation by facilitating the inclusion of English as Second Language students into the health science courses. By utilizing ESOL modules as supplemental instruction in the health science courses, students will be more likely to succeed and more ESOL students will be able to take these courses. To meet the goal of improved student success, with specific ESOL assistance utilizing these modules, ESOL students will make the transition to higher level Allied Health and Nursing courses more easily and the current problem of these students dropping out during the clinical portion of their program will be addressed.

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	This project is funded with a grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with funds provided by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006. Lone Star College System does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, gender, national origin, or disabilities, and is an equal opportunity employer.