Effectiveness of a Structured Web-based English for Medical Purposes Course for Preclinical Medical Students: A...

English proficiency is essential for medical students in non-English-medium settings, yet evidence on the effectiveness of fully web-based English for Medical Purposes (EMP) instruction remains limited. This study evaluated structured web-based EMP courses integrated into the preclinical curriculum of a Thai medical school. A pretest and posttest study was conducted with 535 second- and third-year medical students who completed newly developed online EMP courses aligned with concurrent preclinical subjects. English proficiency was assessed using the validated Khon Kaen University Medical English Test (KKUMET), covering listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Paired-sample t-tests demonstrated significant improvements across all language domains and total scores (from 64.62 (SD 11.42) to 79.33 (SD 7.23), P < .001), with large effect sizes (η² = 0.77). Speaking and writing showed the greatest gains (+ 27.72 and + 25.54, respectively, all P < .001), reflecting improvements in active language production skills. The proportion of students at advanced or expert proficiency levels increased substantially (from 31.4% to 90.1%), and subgroup analysis indicated particularly strong improvements among those who were initially at beginner or intermediate levels (n = 356), mean scores increased by 18.91 points (P < .001, η² = 0.85). These findings suggest that structured web-based EMP courses can effectively enhance medical English proficiency in large cohorts of preclinical learners. The online format provides flexibility for students managing heavy workloads and may reduce inequities in language readiness within medical curricula. Web-based EMP instruction represents a scalable approach for institutions seeking to strengthen communication competencies, academic readiness, and professional development in non-English-speaking contexts.