Sun Tzu and the Art of Learning English

Great Wall of China

Ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu's thoughts are studied by contemporary generals, corporate titans, and now, English students.

Wise thoughts
In his ageless book, The Art of War, Sun Tzu shares his pearls of wisdom applicable to learning any second language:

Rule 1: 'if you know yourself and your enemy, you'd surely win'
English Translation: If you know why (motive) you are studying English and realize the difficulty and patience required in learning a second language, you'll have success. 

Rule 2: 'if you know yourself but not your enemy, you may either win or lose'
English Translation: If you know why (motive) you are studying English but do not realize the difficulty and patience required in learning a second language, you may have success. 

Rule 3: 'if you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you would lose'
English Translation: If you know neither why (motive)  you are studying English nor realize the difficulty and patience required in learning a second language, you may not have success. 

Conclusion
Learning English or any second (or third?) language requires dedication, patience, and most importantly, motivation.

If you apply Sun Tzu's rules by being true to yourself, heeding the lessons of a wise professor, managing your expectations, and yes, having fun, you will succeed in reaching your goal.

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

Please vote in our blog poll. Tell a friend!

Why are you studying English?

Please vote in our first blog poll located on the right panel.

We will keep the poll active for the next week.

Please ask your friends to vote in the poll and to subscribe to our site!

Thank you and Happy 2011!

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!

USMLE Requires more than Optimal English Proficiency

Foreign and even US medical graduates wanting to do their residency in the United States are required to undergo a Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) as part of licensing requirements.

Candidates conduct a day-long examination of actors playing patients by conducting a timed clinical encounter : 1) talking to the ''patient'' about his or her chief complaint - Data Gathering (DG), 2) performing a physical exam, and 3) writing a Patient Note (PN).

Excellent English Required
Besides the DG and PN, candidates are assessed on their Communication and Interpersonal Skills (CIS) and Spoken English Proficiency (SEP).

The SEP is broken down into listening effort, pronunciation, and word choice.

While statistics indicate foreign medical graduates mostly fail because of their CIS than English proficiency, the two are interwoven.

Acting patients are instructed to ask questions, request more than a superficial explanation of unfamiliar terms, and to simulate angry, moody or otherwise difficult patients.

USMLE Preparation
While a TOEFL score of 35 is usually considered adequate to possess the English proficiency needed to pass the US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 2, the candidate needs to be understood by exercising good grammar and pronunciation in a professional context.

Therefore, it is important prospective candidates practice with a English native if possible to test rapport with a patient, role play medical scenarios, and build confidence speaking in layman's terms.

An exam prep text is a start. However, in preparation of students, instilling confidence and getting the candidate to speak naturally about ailments on a patient's level appear to be the foremost challenges.

While role playing, challenge the candidate to a calm and thorough explanation of an illness presented and offer advice on how better to speak up and address the patient directly.

From experience, medical vocabulary does not appear to be an issue, but pronunciation often is.

In sum, an English professor can coach students to interact naturally using optimal English and to develop a patient routine to be followed not only at test time, but in their residency and beyond upon a successful score.

*** If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please contact Professor Winn by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts today!