Viewing Medical Education Through the Lens of Second Language Acquisition

The domains of second language learning and medical learning, although different in many ways, share several commonalities. In both, there is an element of declarative learning, such as memorizing terms and rules and understanding schema. However, both domains also classically include immersive learning in authentic environments with experts (fluent speakers in language, experienced clinicians in medicine) as a means to achieve mastery. Physician assistant (PA) educators may benefit from considering these commonalities and how they may apply to their own educational practices. Several hypotheses from Stephen Krashen's monitor model of second language acquisition (acquisition-learning distinction, the monitor hypothesis, affective filter) are presented with parallels to PA education. As the study of a second language is a common experience within the United States, explicit discussion of the similarities between language and medical learning may be a tool that PA educators can use particularly to help learners as they transition from didactic to clinical learning.