Updated : June 19, 2025

Department of Basic Medical English

Members

Paul Mathieson (Teaching Professor, Head of Department)
Claire Murray (Lecturer)
Rima Ghashut (Adjunct Lecturer)
Manuela Antoniu (Adjunct Lecturer)
Kei Suematsu (Secretary)

Overview

Incorporating principles and research findings from the field of applied linguistics, the Department of Basic Medical English focuses on building learners’ English fluency and proficiency in all four core language-related skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). A key element of our teaching involves introducing our students to scientific and medical topics through the medium of English—using a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach. Through this approach, we aim to equip our students with the English knowledge and skills that are necessary to become active participants in the global academic community (in which English is the common language).

Our research addresses a number of aspects of English language teaching and learning that we consider particularly relevant for medical students and nursing students. Accordingly, our principal areas of research concern vocabulary acquisition (especially academic, scientific, and medical vocabulary), English for Medical Purposes (EMP), English for Nursing Purposes (ENP), and language learning materials development related to English for Academic Purposes (EAP).