Bridging the Language Gap: An EAP Course for Developing Listening Comprehension Skills in Medical Students

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course in enhancing the listening comprehension sub-skills of medical students. The study focused on three key sub-skills: understanding medical terminology, identifying key information, and following complex spoken instructions. A mixed-methods approach, utilizing quantitative assessments and qualitative feedback, measured the progress of 35 medical students before and after participating in the EAP course. Results indicated statistically significant improvements in the students’ ability to comprehend academic lectures and professional discourse. Specifically, the students demonstrated notable progress in note-taking, summarizing information, and recognizing medical-specific vocabulary. Qualitative data further revealed increased confidence and engagement with English listening tasks. These findings suggest that tailored EAP courses can effectively enhance the listening comprehension sub-skills of medical students, contributing to their academic success and professional readiness. Future research should explore the long-term retention of these skills and investigate the potential of technology-aided learning in supporting listening development.Keywords: EAP, listening comprehension, medical students