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Medical English Core Course: The Basics of English for Medical Purposes book cover

1st Edition

Medical English Core Course The Basics of English for Medical Purposes

By Simon Fraser, Walter Davies, Michihiro Hide, Takashi Sadatomo, Keiso Tatsukawa, Kazumichi Enokida Copyright 2026
176 Pages 133 Color Illustrations
by Routledge

176 Pages 133 Color Illustrations
by Routledge

Designed for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners at the early stages of medical education who have already completed basic anatomy and physiology, Medical English Core Course develops vocabulary through an integrated four-skills approach, connecting with learners’ existing medical knowledge. Ideal for use in one-year medical English courses or for self-study, this textbook equips learners with the essential skills to build confidence and communicate effectively in medical English.

Key features include:

  • 14 content-rich units focusing on major body systems
  • An integrated approach combining anatomical knowledge with clinical language
  • Technical essays with vocabulary-building tasks and comprehension questions
  • Mimetic speaking tasks to reinforce key content
  • Doctor–patient dialogues with listening, reading, and role-play activities
  • Self-study sections covering treatment-related language
  • Supplementary advice sections for aspiring medical professionals
  • An index of key medical terms and a glossary of word parts
  • Online support materials, including a teacher’s guide and audio files

Medical English Core Course is the result of a collaborative project between applied linguists and medical professionals based in Hiroshima, Japan. Together, they have created a comprehensive, hands-on, learner-oriented resource to support the development of core medical English skills.

Table of Contents

Unit 1 Anatomical Planes, Terms of Location, and Views

Part 1: Anatomical planes and terms of location

Part 2: Medical Views and Imaging

Unit 2 The Central Nervous System: The Brain

Part 1: The brain

Part 2: Neurosurgery

Unit 3 The Musculoskeletal System: The Lower Limb

Part 1: The knee

Part 2: Orthopedics

Unit 4 The Circulatory System: The Heart

Part 1: Cardiovascular circulation

Part 2: Cardiovascular medicine

Unit 5 The Pulmonary System

Part 1: Respiration

Part 2: Pulmonary system problems

Unit 6 The Digestive System

Part 1: The digestive tract

Part 2: Digestive medicine

Unit 7 The Endocrine System

Part 1: The pancreas and thyroid gland

Part 2: Pancreas and thyroid gland problems

Unit 8 Hepatic Portal Circulation: The Liver

Part 1: The hepatic portal system

Part 2: Hepatology

Unit 9 The Lymphatic System

Part 1: The lymphatic system 

Part 2: Viral infections

Unit 10 The Integumentary System

Part 1: The skin

Part 2: Dermatology 

Unit 11 The Urinary System

Part 1: The kidneys and urinary tract

Part 2: Urinary tract problems 

Unit 12 The Reproductive System

Part 1: Pregnancy 

Part 2: Obstetrics and gynecology 

Unit 13 Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)

Part 1: The ENT system

Part 2: Otorhinolaryngology

Unit 14 The Eye

Part 1: Anatomy of the eye

Part 2: Ophthalmology

Appendix 1

Speaking and Writing Tasks

Appendix 2

Word Parts

Appendix 3

Medical Terms

 

Biography

Simon Fraser is an Emeritus Professor of applied linguistics at Hiroshima University, Japan.

Walter Davies is an Associate Professor of applied linguistics at the Institute for Foreign Language Research and Education, Hiroshima University, Japan.

Michihiro Hide is the Director of Hiroshima City Citizen’s Hospital and former dean of Hiroshima University’s Medical School, Japan.

Takashi Sadatomo is Head of Neurosurgery and Director of Clinical Research at Higashihiroshima Medical Center, Japan.

Keiso Tatsukawa is an Emeritus Professor and former director of the Institute for Foreign Language Research and Education, Hiroshima University, Japan.

Kazumichi Enokida was a Vice-Director at the Institute for Foreign Language Research and Education, Hiroshima University, Japan.

“This highly practical, vocabulary-focused volume provides specialised texts on a range of core medical topics for learners and teachers of English for Medical Purposes. Suitable for individual or classroom use, it includes both essays and dialogues, offering ample opportunities to learn key medical terms, understand their meanings, and use them in speaking and writing. A most welcome addition to the field. Bravo!”

Averil Coxhead, University of Wellington, New Zealand

“Developed through close collaboration between applied linguists and medical doctors, this well-designed and practical textbook combines anatomical knowledge with clinical language. Each unit focuses on a body system, using technical essays and realistic dialogues to bridge academic language and doctor–patient communication. The vocabulary activities are thoughtfully designed to emphasize word parts and structures, helping learners decode and retain complex terms more easily. Suitable for classroom use, self-study, or flipped learning, this book is a valuable resource that I highly recommend to students and educators committed to improving medical English skills in a structured and engaging way.”

Isao Date, President, Japan Society for Medical English Education (JASMEE)

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