English for Physiotherapists

Introduction

English for Physiotherapists is an online course, consisting of 56 units of English, and providing approximately 60 hours of study for students.

Course aims

To give students at Intermediate, CEFR B1/Upper Intermediate B2 level practice in general and business-oriented language required for business contexts at this level, specifically tailored towards physiotherapy. The course blends grammatical structures necessary for this level, with vocabulary, reading, listening, writing, speaking and pronunciation.

Grammar

By the end of the course, students will be able to

Use present and past tenses correctly
Use the appropriate conditional forms to talk about situations and consequences
Use the present perfect to describe a link between past and present events
Use going to and will to talk about future predictions and intentions
Use the passive form correctly
Distinguish and be able to correctly describe countable and uncountable nouns

Vocabulary

By the end of the course students will have learnt approximately 120 expressions used in physiotherapy.

Skills

By the end of the course students will have had exposure to and practice in reading and hearing formal and informal English from a variety of accents and physiotherapy contexts.

Unit summary

Module 1

Introduction to Physiotherapy
Grammar: Present tenses
Vocabulary: Essential physiotherapy vocabulary, musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory
Reading: Understanding physiotherapy texts, articles, and reports
Listening: Physiotherapy-related discussions and presentations
Writing: Physiotherapy-related summaries and descriptions
Speaking: Describing physiotherapy concepts and processes
Pronunciation: Anxious and Chess + connected speech

Module 2

Anatomy for physiotherapists
Grammar: Past tenses
Vocabulary: Human body systems, muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments
Reading: Anatomy and physiology articles and case studies
Listening: Anatomy and physiology presentation
Writing: A physiology report
Speaking: Anatomy and physiology concepts and challenges
Pronunciation: Beats and Beach + connected speech

Module 3

Finding the problem
Grammar: Going to and Will
Vocabulary: Clinical examination, objective assessment, diagnostic tests, medical history
Reading: Assessment and diagnosis materials
Listening: Assessment and diagnosis
Writing: A patient assessment report
Speaking: Assessment and diagnosis findings
Pronunciation: Bet and But + connected speech

Module 4

Techniques used in physiotherapy
Grammar: Present perfect
Vocabulary: Manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage
Reading: Treatment techniques and modalities
Listening: A specific treatment technique
Writing: Writing treatment plans
Speaking: Discussing treatment techniques and modalities with colleagues
Pronunciation: Bud and Bird + connected speech

Module 5

Dealing with patients
Grammar: Countable and uncountable nouns
Vocabulary: Active listening, empathy, non-verbal communication, patient education materials
Reading: Patient education materials
Listening: Listening to patient concerns and questions
Writing: Patient education materials
Speaking: Discussing treatment plans
Pronunciation: Book and But + connected speech

Module 6

Specialisations
Grammar: First conditional
Vocabulary: Paediatric, geriatric, sports, women’s health, neurological physiotherapy
Reading: Reading and understanding physiotherapy specialisations articles and case studies
Listening: Listening to presentations on physiotherapy specialisations
Writing: Writing case studies and reports on physiotherapy specialisations
Speaking: Discussing physiotherapy specialisations and their applications
Pronunciation: Cart and Cut + connected speech

Module 7

Ethical considerations
Grammar: Passive
Vocabulary: Ethics, confidentiality, consent, professional boundaries, cultural sensitivity
Reading: Ethical guidelines and professional conduct
Listening: Ethical discussions and dilemmas
Writing: Ethical scenarios and challenges
Speaking: Discussing ethical issues and professional conduct
Pronunciation: Day and Ray + connected speech

Module 8

Working as a team
Grammar: Second conditional
Vocabulary: Collaboration, teamwork, communication, roles, responsibilities
Reading: Professional emails, memos, and announcements
Listening: Listening to colleagues and supervisors
Writing: Writing professional emails
Speaking: Communication skills in a group setting
Pronunciation: Fine and Vine + connected speech

Follow-up

Students completing the English for Physiotherapists course should feel confident in tackling any upper intermediate course, including our Upper Intermediate Business Power course.