The Challenge of English Speaking and Writing Competencies for English for Medical Studies: A Case Study of First Year Medical Students at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University in Gauteng Province, South Africa

The Challenge of English Speaking and Writing Competencies for English for Medical Studies: A Case Study of First Year Medical Students at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Tebogo Johannes Kekana , Thama Millicent Mamabolo & Malesela Edward Montle

Issue: Vol. 7 No.2 2026 Article 8 pp. 521 – 535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026728| Published online 27th March 2026

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to report on the findings of a classroom-based study regarding the English writing and speaking challenges faced by English Medical Studies (EMS) students who were doing first year at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (SMU) during the time of this research. The methodology for this investigation was quanti-qualitative in nature. Twenty-six research participants participated. Convenient sampling was used. Data was collected through the use of interviews, a self-designed questionnaire and a writing activity with a selected sample of respondents, and the data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study adopted Needs Analysis Theory (NA) as the underpinning theoretical framework. The study found that grammatical challenges, particularly word usage, jargon in medical phrases, errors in verb conjugation, tense application, personal pronoun usage, prepositional structure and inadequate English language exposure during secondary education days are the main cause of the problem. The study findings contribute to the literature in that they illuminate hidden or ignored variables that contribute to the researched problem. The findings can also be used as a basis for advising English writing trainers/instructors and curriculum developers. Thus, it is recommended that lecturers should be provided with assistance from appropriate stakeholders to expand their knowledge of second language (L2) teaching, thus ameliorating learners’ L2 learning. This will significantly help English for health.

Keywords: English for Medical Studies, English for health, Workplace literacy, English for Specific Purpose, Health Literacy.

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

Tebogo Johannes Kekana is an Associate Professor of English languages at the University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa.

Thama Millicent Mamabolo is a PhD student of English language at the University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa.

Malesela Edward Montle is an Associate Professor of English literature at the University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Kekana, Tebogo Johannes, Thama Millicent Mamabolo & Malesela Edward Montle. “The Challenge of English Speaking and Writing Competencies for English for Medical Studies: A Case Study of First Year Medical Students at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University in Gauteng Province, South Africa,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.2 (2026): 521 – 535. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026728