An examination of the suitability of an english language syllabus intended for dentistry students

Abstract

This study aims at determining the suitability of an English language syllabus for Dentistry students. To this end, a mixed methods approach was applied with more emphasis in quantitative methods. The findings suggest that the syllabus is not suitable in terms of the time programmed for this course, which does not seem sufficient for students to find oral practice and grammar and listening assessment easy enough. They also seem to need more time than the 40 hours stated in the syllabus to show their skills in the A2 and B1 levels of proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which suggests a minimum of 180 guided teaching hours to reach level A2. The implications of this study will lead to the improvement of the syllabus at the Instituto Chileno Norteamericano de Cultura de Concepción, Chile, for providing a better service to higher education institutions such as Universidad del Desarrollo.