By Jennie Elie
CRUDEM recently launched an intensive EFL (English as a Foreign Language) program earlier this summer. The language learning program has been developed to assist twenty nurses of different specialties working at HSC (Hôpital Sacré Coeur) and University of Notre Dame of Haiti who have been selected to be part of the highly anticipated continuing education BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing), then MSN (Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Family Nurse Practionner) programs scheduled to begin in early 2013. The twenty nurses are required to take part in these English classes as the courses from both nursing programs will be offered in English. Additionally, the nurses are required to take an entrance exam as part of admissions to this new nursing program. A team of teachers from abroad (including a Haitian-American from Port-au-Prince) with various backgrounds in teaching ESL/EFL have come to Milot for an average of two months each on rotation to provide this language instruction to the HSC nurses. The nurses are very eager to learn English and take part in the nursing programs.
Two proficiencies have been identified among the nurses: a high intermediate level and a high beginner level. As a requirement of the curriculum, both levels are learning the fundamentals of English with a focus on Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening skills and, most importantly, medical terminology. Understanding and retaining the medical terminology is crucial to the success on the entrance exam. Classes meet every day, Monday-Friday for four hours a day. So far, the nurses have been exposed to a well-rounded curriculum which includes debates, conversation exercises with various topics, skits, presentations, reading comprehension activities, interview preparation, and pronunciation activities among others. One student expressed that she is very fortunate to be part of such a program and be among her peers.
This is the first accredited nursing program and the first English taught program of its kind in all of Haiti.
Online video courses along with visiting professors will be integrated as part of the curriculum. It is critical that the nurses obtain a solid foundation in these current English classes in order to excel in the program. Time is of the essence and every lesson counts in English for the nurses; which means lots of in-class work, reading and homework! Their motivation, constant involvement in class and self-expression with more ease in English is a testament to their determination of entering the nursing program.
The nurses appreciate the two different modules which focus on the English fundamentals and the medical terminology. Many have particularly expressed that the fundamentals have helped them immensely in building their confidence in expressing themselves in English. This seemed a daunting task less than 2 months ago. The different activities and exercises will be put to use to communicate in the future with the different English-speaking foreigners they will be meeting and working with at HSC. Although some may argue that solely focusing on the medical terminology would be adequately beneficial to ensuring the success into the program, however a proportionate balance of a combination of both approaches seems a more likely recipe for success.
The CRUDEM sponsored nursing program is contributing to improving the quality of the healthcare system in Haiti by offering continuing education and the opportunity to learn in an international setting. The program will likewise allow nurses to be more competent, marketable and more effective communicators with the plethora of international teams.
Jenny Elie lived in Massachusetts for 16 years and moved back to Haiti in October 2009. She studied Economics, but worked in the non-profit field for several years serving underserved, low-income populations in the areas of immigration, homelessness and ESL.
For a little over a year, Jenny has been teaching EFL in Haiti and recently obtained certification in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) through the School of International Training (SIT) in Vermont. “I became interested in the EFL program because I wanted to contribute in some way to the improvement of the quality of healthcare here in Haiti by teaching the nurses English,” explains Jenny. “I wanted to make a positive impact in my own way.” She plans to pursue a graduate degree in teaching English to speakers of other Languages through SIT.
Jenny lives in Port-au-Prince with her family and enjoys reading, amateur photography and traveling.
