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An ESOL crisis in Scotland – and what to do about it
Contact us Back to Menu ↩ Evidencing the ESOL Crisis: Towards a Vision for ESOL in Scotland Francesca Stella and Meg Wishart, University of Glasgow
October 29, 2026
Like it or not, English is the global language.
Because of this, it’s also the language of global healthcare.
If you’re a medical professional, it’s useful to know English for your job.
Firstly, because many medical terms are English.
Secondly, it’s important if you work in an area with lots of foreigners who don’t speak your language well.
For most people around the world, English is the second language they learn.
Communicating in English is essential.
Thirdly, it’s essential if you want to work in an English-speaking country.
That’s because to work in countries such as the UK or the USA as a doctor or nurse, you must prove your English language skills.
You usually have to take a test in either the OET or IELTS.
You also have to pass with a good grade (Usually a Grade B for OET, or Grade 7 for IELTS).
Did you learn English when you were at school?
It was probably general English.
Things like the important tenses, some vocabulary, and how to buy a kilo of apples in the shop.
Perhaps you also studied English literature.
Maybe you learned to discuss big topics in English.
General English doesn’t teach you how to tell a patient in English that they have a fibula fracture beneath their left knee.
It won’t teach you how to write case notes in English.
Or recommend a course of antibiotics treatment to an elderly lady.
Did you learn some Medical English during your studies?
If you did, you know how important it is to get your communications right.
Any mistake could have serious consequences – for the patient, and for you.
We at SLC are the experts at teaching English for healthcare.
Our students get the benefit of our tutors’ many years of experience.
We can help you pass the OET or IELTS exams.
Or we can help you improve your general medical English.
We have specialist courses for you if you’re a nurse, doctor, carer, pharmacist, or radiographer.
And we also have courses in grammar and medical terminology, plus a lot more.
Contact us Back to Menu ↩ Evidencing the ESOL Crisis: Towards a Vision for ESOL in Scotland Francesca Stella and Meg Wishart, University of Glasgow
Contact us Back to Menu ↩ Train the ear first If you want to learn a language well, start by listening to how it sounds.
Contact us Back to Menu ↩ Four recently published reports look at ESOL from quite different angles but have remarkably similar conclusions. The APPG on
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