4 Essential English Tips for Spanish-Speaking Students Preparing for Medical Exams

Are you struggling to prepare for medical exams in English as a Spanish speaker? Discover 4 essential tips to boost your medical vocabulary, listening, writing, and speaking skills. Learn how to study smarter and succeed with support from Medicidiom.

Medical exams are stressful for every student, but especially those that are learning in a second language. And while the process of learning in English for Spanish-speakers may feel overwhelming, there are tools to help. Whether you’re preparing for a qualifying exam like the USMLE, PLAB, or MCCQE, using English for medical research or to boost your career with an internship abroad, understanding both the content and the language is essential for success. Here are 4 essential tips that may help you study more effectively and perform more confidently on your final exams over the course of the next few weeks:

1. Learn high-frequency medical terminology 

Medical vocabulary can be incredibly intimidating as many terms sound similar and a minor mistake can be costly, but much of them are built from predictable patterns. Starting by learning common medical prefixes, suffixes and root words will allow you to break down unfamiliar terms during your exams or in the clinic. 

For example:

• cardio- (heart) → cardiology 

• -itis (inflammation) → arthritis

• neuro- (nerves) → neurology

2. Practice active listening to medical english 

Exams (and time spent in clinic, of course) often involve understanding spoken English at a natural pace. This can be one of the most difficult parts of mastering a new language, but exposing yourself to these various types of auditory practice can make a real difference: 

• Listen to English medical podcasts or clinical case studies 

• Switch the language of a show you’re familiar with to English

• Attend support classes with native English speakers from different countries at Medicidiom

3. Build your academic writing 

Being able to write concisely and accurately will help you to avoid common mistakes and impress the people reading your work. As written portions of exam may require you to summarize patient cases or explain clinical decisions, it’s relatively easy to proactively prepare by doing things like practicing writing short, clear answers to sample questions with a focus on grammar and spelling, and by developing a habit of taking notes in English while studying lectures or textbooks. AI can be a helpful resource to use periodically, but when you need a professional to ensure a human touch for your work you can count on us.

4. Practice speaking medical English regularly 

There may be nothing more important than clear and confident oral communication. Whether it be on an exam, in the classroom or in the doctor’s office, at the end of the day it is truly the key to safe and effective patient care. Though it may be a bit more difficult, here are a few ways to practice: 

• With classmates or tutors, role-playing patient interviews and case presentations

• Record yourself explaining a diagnosis and review for pronunciation and fluency

• Use Mediciom’s AI Pronunciation Tool to practice fluidity and see where you can improve

• For people with a bit more time, book a one-on-one or group class with us to get maximum practice 

Prepare smarter, not harder

Balancing medical knowledge and language learning can be a stressful process, but with the right strategies and tools it doesn’t need to be impossible. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be prepared. 

At Medicidiom, we understand the unique challenges faced by Spanish-speaking medical students and clinicians. That’s why we’ve developed specialized English courses and language tools designed to help you succeed in not only your exams, but your professional career as well. 

Visit Medicidiom.com today to explore our resources and start building the English skills you need for the future!