Dr. Anne Mutidjo has created a new course called Medical French - French 3503. Designed especially for students interested in pursuing a variety of health professions and wishing to add value to their expertise in healthcare fields. Students learn how to interact effectively in French with patients and patients' families from various cultural backgrounds, and/or to practice their profession in a Francophone context, at a mid- to high-intermediate level of French. This course will launch in the Autumn 2025 semester.
French 3503 meeting details: WF 2:20pm-3:40pm, Hagerty Hall 045, 3 credit hours, taught in French.
We sat down with Dr. Mutidjo to learn more about the course:
1. What are the highlights of the class?
This course offers opportunities for students to engage with native French speakers, interact with professionals in the medical field, and develop intercultural competence within a healthcare context. Through practical application and real-world scenarios, students gain hands-on experience in communicating effectively across cultural and linguistic barriers.
2. What inspired you to create it?
I have been inspired by the growing number of students in my classes who are interested in health professions, including heritage speakers pursuing careers in nursing and healthcare. Recognizing the increasing interconnectedness of our world, I wanted to create a course that equips healthcare students and professionals with the linguistic and cultural skills necessary to meet the evolving demands of a diverse patient population.
3. What kind of students will enjoy this class?
This course is ideal for students with an interest in or background in the medical field. Whether they are aspiring healthcare professionals, nursing students, medical interpreters, or experienced nurses, anyone looking to strengthen their ability to communicate in a healthcare setting will find value in the course.
4. What are the key takeaways? What transferable skills will students gain?
Students will enhance their medical expertise by integrating linguistic and cultural proficiency into their professional skill set. They will develop the ability to effectively use healthcare-specific vocabulary and grammar while demonstrating cultural awareness and preprofessional communication
