Medical English Course
Practice medical English in 1:1 lessons with native teachers on Zoom, experienced in healthcare communication. Whether you take patient histories in English, present at international conferences, or prepare for OET, IELTS, or PLAB, you build the vocabulary and confidence to work fluently in any clinical or research setting.
This course is for: doctors planning to work in English-speaking countries | nurses preparing for OET Grade B | pharmacists and pharma reps with international clients | researchers presenting at conferences | clinic staff with English-speaking patients.
Would you like to talk to one of our teachers about our Medical English course?
Book Your Free Medical English Trial Lesson
Medical English Course with Live English
- Language. English specialized in medical English
- Format: 1:1 Online via Zoom or phone
- Teachers: native-English teachers who have experience in healthcare and medical English
- Recommended entry level: B1
- Exam preparation: OET, IELTS Academic, PLAB
What is medical English?
Medical English is the specialized English used in healthcare. It covers anatomy, symptoms, diagnoses, treatment methods, medication names, patient communication, and reading clinical studies. Professionals in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and research use medical English in international exchanges, at conferences, in English-language literature, and when dealing with English-speaking patients.
How do the online Medical English classes work?
By choosing the Medical English classes, you get access to a wide variety of resources in the Study Box that focus on medical-related news, and the teachers who deliver the lessons online via Zoom or by phone have experience teaching medical English. They know the terminology and are familiar with the pedagogical resources of the medical English course. One session a week is great for people who already have a good command of professional English and whose goal is mainly to maintain their level. If the goal is to move up a level, 2-3 medical English conversation lessons are recommended. It is also good practice to learn with 2 teachers so as not to get used to one specific accent.
Please note that we also offer a track for people interested in improving their English in other professional fields.
“I followed a 1-year intensive medical English course with Live English. The lessons were fun and the teachers were very encouraging.”
Martina,
Austria
“I am really satisfied with my English lessons. The lessons with teachers from different accents help me talk about current affairs. And the Club (group lessons) is great practice.”
Anna Maria,
Italy
“The human experience is amazing and they go the extra mile to make me feel comfortable, satisfied, and happy. I love my teacher’s authenticity and kindness.”
Samuel,
France
English exams for medical professionals at a glance
Which language exam you need depends on your destination country and profession. Here are the key requirements for doctors and nurses at a glance.
| Exam | Country | Minimum level | Format | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OET | UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand | Grade B (C1) | 4 sections · approx. 2.5 hrs | Clinical communication, patient interaction |
| IELTS Academic | Recognised worldwide | 7.0–7.5 | 4 sections · approx. 2 hrs 45 min | General academic English |
| ECFMG (English requirement) | United States | OET B / IELTS 7 / TOEFL 100 | Choose from OET, IELTS, TOEFL or PTE | Clinical communication in English for international medical graduates |
| PLAB | UK | OET B or IELTS 7.5 | Written exam + OSCE | UK clinical practice, case scenarios |
| TOEFL iBT | USA, Canada, worldwide | 100+ (C1) | 4 sections · approx. 2 hrs | Academic English, university admission |
Sources: General Medical Council (PLAB), USMLE, OET, ECFMG. Updated: 2026. Exact requirements vary by country, region and medical specialty.
What you'll learn in the Medical English course
Every 1:1 lesson is tailored to your profession, your level and your goals. Instead of standard textbooks, we work with current cases from the healthcare sector, our own materials from the Study Box and real patient scenarios.
1. Use medical terminology actively
You practice the terms you need every day: anatomy, symptom descriptions, diagnoses, medication plans, lab results. Not as a vocabulary list, but in conversations that mirror real situations: taking a patient history, ward rounds, handover to the next shift, calling an English-speaking colleague.
2. Practice patient communication
You learn to explain complex medical issues in plain language. How do you ask about a pain scale? How do you explain a diagnosis without causing alarm? How do you respond to a worried family? These conversations prepare you for clinical work in English-speaking countries and for exams like OET, IELTS or PLAB.
3. Understand idioms and accents
In a hospital, textbook English rarely cuts it. You train your ear for fast speech, regional accents (British, American, Australian) and the colloquial expressions patients and colleagues actually use.
Examples from the course:
- Taking a patient history in English: from the first interview to delivering results
- Preparing for an international conference: presentation skills and Q&A
- Reading and evaluating clinical studies in English-language journals
- Email and report communication with overseas hospitals
- Exam simulations for OET, IELTS or PLAB
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical English
With a solid general English level (B1), most learners reach a professionally usable level of medical English within three to six months if they take one to two 1:1 lessons per week. For exams such as OET (Occupational English Test) or IELTS Academic, preparation typically takes four to nine months depending on the starting level.
For the PLAB, an OET Grade B or IELTS Academic 7.5 in each skill is required, equivalent to a C1 level. Our medical English courses specifically prepare you for the communicative demands of these exams.
Doctors usually need a C1 level (CEFR) for licensing in English-speaking countries. Requirements often include OET Grade B (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand), IELTS Academic 7.0–7.5, or TOEFL iBT 100+. Nurses need comparable levels. Exact requirements vary by country and specialty.
Medical English includes terms from anatomy (heart, kidney, liver), symptoms (shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea), diagnostics (MRI scan, blood pressure, biopsy), treatment (prescription, dosage, side effects), and patient communication (“How would you describe the pain?”, “On a scale of one to ten…”). Abbreviations like BP, ECG, CT, GP, and job titles like nurse practitioner, paramedic, or consultant are also essential.
Prices depend on the number and frequency of lessons. 1:1 courses are available without long-term commitment and with flexible scheduling. Current pricing is available on our pricing page. A free trial lesson allows you to explore the content, method, and teacher before booking.
We recommend at least a B1 level in general English. With this foundation, you can focus on specialized medical language. If unsure, take our free placement test. At lower levels, we start with general English and gradually integrate medical content. If you are not sure of your level, take our English level test.
Yes. The course is designed for all healthcare professionals: doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiologists, medical researchers, clinic staff, hospital administration, and sales professionals in medical products and pharmaceuticals. We tailor vocabulary and topics to your profession.
Medical English Resources
Do you have more questions?
If you have specific questions about our Medical English course, please contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.