Bridging Local Practice and Global Standards: The Rise of English Medium Medical Education in Uzbekistan
Keywords:
English‑medium instruction, medical education, medical English, English for Specific Purposes, Uzbekistan, curriculum reform, internationalization, faculty development, bilingual education, student proficiencyAbstract
English has become a central component of medical education reform in Uzbekistan, driven by policies aimed at aligning curricula with international standards, expanding access to global medical literature, and increasing the country’s attractiveness to foreign students. Medical universities have introduced English‑medium instruction (EMI) programs, strengthened English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and medical English courses, and established institutional language centers to support both students and faculty. Recent initiatives, including partnerships with international organizations, have focused on developing pedagogically sound approaches that integrate language learning with clinical content, promote student‑centred methods, and enhance assessment practices. Empirical reports highlight substantial benefits of English‑medium and English‑supported training for Uzbek and international medical students, particularly in terms of access to evidence‑based resources, preparation for international examinations, and opportunities for academic mobility, while also documenting persistent challenges related to uneven English proficiency, limited teaching materials, and faculty capacity.
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