Frequently asked questions
I work shifts and it’s difficult for me to commit to a course at the same time each week.
Galvanise! has been designed especially for HCPs who work shifts, and ensuring you are able to follow the programme is a priority. Speaking sessions will be available at different time slots, meaning you should be able to find one that fits. The other components of the course are bite-sized and available in audio format, meaning you can listen to them whenever you have a spare few minutes. Transcripts are available for all audio materials.
Aren’t individual lessons more effective?
Both group and individual approaches have their advantages. Group programmes allow you to learn from the other students in your group. It also means that you are interacting with more than one person, thus avoiding over-reliance on one person. It also means that we can use a variety of activities such as group games and pair work, that simply aren’t possible in a one-to-one situation. And you always have the option of booking a one-to-one session (for an extra charge).
How do the group sessions work?
Each session will focus on a specific task typical of healthcare work, such as taking patient histories, giving instructions or carrying out a physical examination. Sessions will begin by looking at the grammar and vocabulary needed to successfully complete such tasks, before moving on to practise the language using the breakout rooms to give everyone as much chance to speak as possible. The programme currently being offered is a beta programme, giving me the chance to try our lots of different activities.
How will you meet the needs of everyone in the group?
I carry out a thorough needs analysis before the programme begins, to assess what everyone’s needs are. Progress is carefully monitored as the course progresses, allowing me to meet each person’s needs as far as possible.
How many people are in each group?
Each session is open to a maximum of eight students.
What's taught on the course?
The course syllabus is not a fixed programme that never changes. What is taught will depend on the course students and the needs of the group.
There are so many language courses and apps out there. What makes Galvanise! different?
Galvanise! caters to elementary and lower intermediate Italian HCPs only, allowing teaching to take place in both Italian and English and tackle the very specific challenges faced by these professionals. My own clinical experience in the Italian and UK hospital systems as a nursing student, medical translator and patient has given me invaluable insights into the type of communication used every day on the wards and in consulting rooms.