Negotiating the Role of English in Early Midwifery Training: A Qualitative Study of Students’ Perceptions

Palupi Susilowati, Yeni Nurmala Hidayati, Atik Ulinuha

Abstract


This study investigated the first-semester midwifery students’ perceptions of the role of English in early professional training. Employing a qualitative approach, data were collected from 41 students through a Likert-scale questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire data were analyzed descriptively to identify general perception trends, while interview data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s framework. The findings indicate that students strongly perceive English as essential for accessing professional knowledge, understanding English-language references, supporting clinical practice and facilitating professional communication. Early exposure to English is viewed as important for professional preparation; however, students also reported challenges related to confidence, limited vocabulary and the need for more practice. The thematic analysis revealed three major themes: English as a gateway to professional knowledge and credibility, negotiating confidence and anxiety, and bridging classroom English with future clinical practice. The study underscores the importance to enhance integrating ESP into early midwifery education to enhance relevance, confidence and professional readiness.

Keywords


ESP, midwifery students, students’ perception, professional training

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.29100/bright.v9i1.9961

DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.29100/bright.v9i1.9961.g3352

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BRIGHT: A Journal of English Language Teaching, Linguistics and Literature
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