Spanish Language School
Medical Spanish Program |
Medical Spanish classes are featured every week in March and October at the Baja California Language College. Spanish for nurses, doctors and others in the health care industry are highlighted in this specialized program.
The Medical Spanish Program is not a study of the dynamics of the Mexican or Latin American health care system. Rather, it prepares American health care professionals to effectively communicate in Spanish at their own health care facilities.
A US hospital can be intimidating and frightening for a non-English speaker. However, by speaking in Spanish the care provider can earn the patients confidence and create a more relaxed and reliable information exchange. All health care professionals benefit profoundly by learning to better communicate and address the needs of their Latino patients.
The Medical Spanish Program offered in March and October is incorporated into the Small Group Immersion Program . Students are placed into groups of five or fewer students based on their Spanish proficiency level. Small Group Immersion classes are offered at all proficiency levels so every health care professional may enroll. Because of the intimate class size, each student receives the personal attention needed to bolster their confidence using Spanish to communicate.
The first portion of each day is dedicated to the development of general Spanish communication skills. A variety of interactive learning techniques are used to build vocabulary and explore grammatical structure and syntax. There are several breaks throughout the day.
The second part of the day is devoted to how Spanish is typically used in a hospital and/or clinical setting. Areas of emphasis include but are not limited to:
- Introducing one’s self
- Calming and comforting a patient
- Acquiring admission data
- Reviewing medical history
- Clarifying patient symptoms
- Identifying parts of the body and the hospital/clinic
- Communicating during examination
- Role playing with non-English speaker
To complete the Spanish immersion process, the Baja California Language College highly recommends living with one of the select host families while in Ensenada. It is in the relaxed atmosphere of the homestay where students can comfortably practice their newly acquired skills. All participants are provided with a private room, delicious meals and help with homework.
Should students prefer alternate accommodations, the College can make recommendations ranging from economy hotels to luxury oceanfront resorts.
Health care professionals who are unable to schedule classes in March or October may enroll in the Private Immersion Program at anytime throughout the year. This one-on-one Medical Spanish Program will be tailored to the student’s particular discipline or area or interest.
Program Specifics
- 30 hours of instruction per week.
- Classes are Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 2:30
- All native Spanish speaking instructors.
Credit
Students may enroll for one week, multiple weeks or for all four weeks of the month.
The Baja California Language College is a Certified Provider of Continuing Education by the California Board of Registered Nursing . (CEP14344)
Participants completing a one week program will earn 30 contact hours.
Students may also earn fully transferable US college credit through Arizona Western College. Two semester credits per week, up to six credits, will be granted after completion. Interested parties must first enroll through Arizona Western College. You can learn more about earning college credit on the College Credit page on this website.
Tuition Summary
All prices are in US currency and payment must be made in US dollars. The Baja California Language College accepts payment by personal checks, business checks and travelers cheques. Payment can also be made by money order and US currency.
The Baja California Language College does not accept credit card payments.
| Medical Spanish (every week in March and October) | |
|---|---|
| Weekly | $389 (30 hrs) Includes certificateM-F |
“I am a 56 yrs old female and have a Family Practice clinic in Florida. In 2010 I wanted to learn medical Spanish to assist the patients who visit my clinic from the USA and from abroad as I am located in a prime tourist. My previous background in Spanish was just one year of high school Spanish and I could only say a few phrases. After my first week at the Baja California Language College, and living with a host family, I was able to start talking in phrases to my patients with minimal use of a telephone translation service. After my second week of immersion 6 months later, I now rarely use a medical translation service with my Spanish patients and have even picked up some Portuguese phrases.
I am not always perfect in my conjugations and still have to ask “Como se dice… (how do you say….) sometimes, but my patients really appreciate my efforts and I am complimented on my Spanish language abilities! I have found that just attempting to talk in someone else’s language is a huge gesture of good will, and the way that I have gotten even better is to not be afraid to try! If someone is bilingual, it is better to approach them in their native language, and they also will give me invaluable feedback on my pronunciation and vocabulary when I ask them to please let me talk to them in Spanish for my own practice.
The travel to and from Ensenada, Baja California Mexico was very safe – I flew into San Diego and took all public transportation BY MYSELF each time. I walked through USA customs/bridge in and out of Tijuana and walked to the ABC bus station. In nice weather, I would walk the 3 miles from my host family’s home, or get a ride from them for a nominal cost. I also walked a lot around the town when not in school just to see the fabulous scenery. I would use an internet café a few blocks away from the house that I was staying in into the evening. The host families are all very nice with excellent meals and accommodations.
I would highly recommend this program to anyone of any age.”
Dr. Pat Wahrenberger Family Practice Physician Minneola Florida
Baja California Spanish Language School - Offering Spanish Immersion Programs
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