In a significant reform aimed at strengthening medical education, the Telangana government has decided to introduce spoken English and communication skills training for MBBS students across the state. The initiative will primarily target first and second year undergraduate medical students who face difficulties understanding and communicating in English, the primary language of medical instruction.
State health officials acknowledged that language barriers have quietly affected the academic performance and confidence of many medical students, particularly those from rural areas and Telugu medium schools. The new programme seeks to ensure that capable students are not held back simply due to limited exposure to spoken English.
Medical education in India relies heavily on English textbooks, lectures, and assessments. In Telangana, a growing number of students entering medical colleges come from government schools where English exposure remains limited. While these students often clear entrance exams on merit, many struggle to follow lectures, understand medical terminology, and communicate effectively in academic and clinical settings.
Officials noted that this challenge becomes most evident during the early years of MBBS, when students are introduced to complex subjects such as anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. The language gap often leads to stress, lack of classroom participation, and hesitation during clinical interactions.
By introducing structured spoken English training early in the course, the government aims to improve comprehension, boost confidence, and reduce academic anxiety among students.
The spoken English programme will be implemented across all government and private medical colleges in Telangana. The training will focus on practical communication rather than theoretical grammar. Key areas will include spoken English proficiency, understanding and usage of medical terminology, communication with peers and faculty, and patient interaction skills.
Officials said the programme would draw from existing communication training models used in nursing education, where language support has shown positive results. While the detailed curriculum is still being finalized, the emphasis will remain on interactive learning methods that help students use English comfortably in real academic and clinical situations.
The spoken English initiative is part of a wider set of reforms being introduced by the Telangana health department to improve medical education standards. These measures include strict monitoring of private medical colleges to prevent hidden fees, upgrades to teaching infrastructure such as digital classrooms and skill labs, and the introduction of mental health support services for students.
The government is also working to expand postgraduate and super specialty medical seats to meet rising demand and strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce.
Health Minister C. Damodar Rajanarasimha emphasized that improving medical education is essential to strengthening public healthcare and ensuring equal opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
(Rh/ARC)