This study presents an innovative course aimed at improving the oral communication skills of Chilean medical students in English, with a focus on preparing them for academic and professional exchanges in international settings. The course guided students in delivering academic presentations on common Chilean diseases, simulating contexts such as medical conferences and health fairs. Grounded in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and intercultural communication, the course emphasized scientific accuracy, discourse clarity, and public speaking fluency. CLIL-trained instructors supported students in structuring medical content logically, using precise terminology, and adapting their discourse to international and culturally diverse audiences. Key learning outcomes included students' ability to present complex medical content professionally, increased intercultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of English as a tool for global health communication. By integrating medical knowledge, language proficiency, and intercultural competence, the course contributed to shaping students' graduate profiles and readiness for international collaboration. Findings highlight the transformative role of targeted oral communication training and validate CLIL as an effective pedagogical approach to integrate content and language learning in medical education. However, the main challenges identified during the implementation were students’ limited English proficiency and difficulties in mastering communicative functions essential for academic oral presentations. These challenges suggest the need for further pedagogical support and curricular adjustments to optimize outcomes.

Authors:
Roxana Orrego, University of Santiago of Chile, Chile

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Roxana Orrego is an Associate Professor at the Department of Linguistics and Literature, University of Santiago (USACH), Santiago, Chile. She is actively engaged in implementing and researching a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) program at USACH.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxana-orrego-206b4325a?

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