Should Medicine be Taught in Leading Medical Languages or the Mother Tongue?

Abstract

In non-English speaking developing countries, several debates have arisen over choosing the language of instruction in medical education, whether it should be one of the leading medical languages, such as English, or the mother tongue. In this article, we discuss this debate and provide a brief review of the pedagogical evidence supporting the superiority of the mother tongue as a language of instruction. We also highlight the academic challenges associated with second-language-based medical education and emphasize the impact of language of instruction on the doctor–patient relationship and health care. Finally, we examine the reasons or arguments for not including the mother tongue in medical education. In conclusion, the importance of English as a leading scientific and medical language should not overshadow the crucial role of the native language as the language of instruction in non-English speaking countries. Each country should develop strategies to include the mother tongue in medical education, following the example of developed countries.