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University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
Experiences with an English taught Experiences with an English taught semester in Medicine at the University semester in Medicine at the University of Osloof OsloMr. Sverre Bjerkeset,
Administrative International Coordinator
Professor Babill Stray-Pedersen MD, PhD former Head of the 9th Semester Committee
Professor Borghild Roald MD, PhD former Educational Dean
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
BackgroundBackground Teaching exclusively in Norwegian
seriously limited student exchange Increased internationalization - a
University and Faculty strategy Structural factors: The Norwegian
“Quality Reform”
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
Aim of projectAim of project Make the Faculty more attractive for students
and teachers from outside the Nordic countries Increase the number of exchange agreements
with quality universities, especially in English speaking countries
Increase students’ and teachers’ competence in English
Internationalization at home
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
Why the 9th (of 12) semester? Why the 9th (of 12) semester? Students in their 5th year of study are relatively
confident in their professional development Students then have a growing knowledge of the
health care system in their own country The theme of the semester (Reproduction. Mother
and Child) has important global features Logistical reasons: Curriculum compatibility with
partner universities
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
6 year MD program6 year MD programSem no
Themes
No of subjects integrated
PBL weeks
1
Human biology. Science, medicine and society
10
17
2
Cell biology
4
19
3
Signal systems. Circ/resp I, Blood/immunology. Acid-base
12
14
4
a. Digestion/nutrition I b. Locomotor apparatus
6 9
13
5
Circulation/respiration II, Kidney
16
11
6
Digestion/nutrition II, Blood II. Dermatology
16
10
7
Motor and sensory systems
9
10
8
Nervous system and mental functions. Practical period in district. Project work I
6
6
9*
Reproduction. Women, children * Taught completely in English
9
8
10
Patient and society. Includes practical periods in districts
7
5
11
Project work II Clinical medicine
8
3
12
Clinical medicine
9
2
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
Challenges in the preparatory phaseChallenges in the preparatory phase Funding Faculty Board decision Preparing the teaching
Specially organized, intensive English courses for teachersTranslation of teaching materialAcquisition of updated teaching/material in EnglishStudy tours for teachers to English speaking universities and hospitals
Visits of academic staff from partner universities Obtaining exchange agreements with universities in English
speaking countries
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
Challenges in running the semesterChallenges in running the semester Teaching in English is more
demanding for the teachers Communication with patients may be
difficult A certain number of exchange
students is required to make the semester work naturally, ideally 20-30% of the class
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
Organization of the semesterOrganization of the semester Compulsary for all Norwegian students
and teachers All plenary teaching is conducted in
English All learning material is in English Small group teaching (PBL and clinical
small group teaching) is carried out in either Norwegian or English
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
Organization of the semester - Organization of the semester - continuedcontinued Exchange students are preferably accompanied by Norwegian students in the clinical duty
Norwegian students are responsible for translating or summarizing if it is not possible or appropriate to speak in English
Students can choose the language of the exams (Norwegian or English)
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
Student evaluationStudent evaluation Undertaken at the end of each semester The main tendency is positive Overall satisfaction: Norwegian students: 64-85%
Exchange students: 77-100% Exchange students are generally more positive than
Norwegian students Except language related issues, complaints from
Norwegian students are the same as in other semesters
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
External evaluation by the Faculty of External evaluation by the Faculty of Education, UiO in 2004 Education, UiO in 2004
Norwegian students: teachers’ ability to convey knowledge and the pedagogical planning suffer
Other factors than the quality of teaching determine the exchange students’ overall opinion
50% of teachers and 66% of Norwegian students report that they have improved their English language skills
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
External evaluation by the Faculty of External evaluation by the Faculty of Education, UiO in 2004 - continuedEducation, UiO in 2004 - continued Little coherence between students’ evaluation of the
arrangement and their English competence Strong coherence between teachers’ self evaluation of
language skills and how well they think the teaching works and their comfort with this teaching
Criticism from teachers towards the handling of certain organizational and practical matters in the initial phase
Teachers reports that the teaching is less nuanced, detailed. Teaching context feels more constrained
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
A few factsA few facts Increase in number of exchange agreements Substantial increase in number of exchange
students (to and from partner universities for minimum 3 months):
Incoming: 99/00: 10 04/05: 67
Outgoing: 99/00: 6 04/05: 50
University of Oslo
The Faculty of Medicine
Concluding remarksConcluding remarks•Norwegian is the main teaching language in the Oslo medical curriculum
•No indicatons that the quality loss in the 9th semester is such that teaching in English can not be justified
•Teaching in English is a challenge, but the practical obstacles are largely overcome and the semester now runs quite smoothly
•The Faculty Board has recently decided that the 9th semester shall be taught in English on a permanent basis
