The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7312 p220-221
14 August 2004

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· Statins
· Enhanced services
· Shipman inquiry
· Dispensing errors
· Language skills
· Pharmacy education
· Tablet identification
· TCM
· The Charter

Letters to the Editor

Language skills

“Proper” English or American English?

From Mrs S. J. L. Barrow, MRPharmS

Further to the comments in recent months about testing the language skills of pharmacists from overseas, readers may be interested in the requirements of the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee in the US: “To be eligible for FPGEC certification candidates must pass the TOEFL with a total score of ... Candidates must pass the TSE with a score of ... The TOEFL and TSE must be completed by all foreign pharmacy graduates, even those who are native English speakers. There are no exceptions or waivers to these requirements.”

The privilege of being tested in my native language will cost me $130 (about £75), and my nearest test centre is about 60 miles away. Now, I wonder whether I will be tested on my competence in “proper” English or American English.

Sara Barrow
Montesano, Washington

Hints on registering in France

From Mr R. Richardson, MRPharmS

Further to a conversation with a fellow British pharmacist having difficulty in obtaining part-time employment in France. I would wish to pass through your letters section what I would regard as some essential information.

As a professional you are obliged to have a competence in the language with which you are to work. Since there is no formal examination for any EU state for a member within the EU, your future employer’s problems and responsibilities start at this point. The employer needs to be absolutely sure of both your professional and linguistic abilities. Help can be obtained by becoming a member of the Red Cross and helping a volunteer (secouriste). It improves language skill, gains entry free into top class football matches, etc. It also gives friendly contact with other health professionals local to your new home who can help with references.

And please go to classes before you come over and find your old GCE is no good — preferably long before you up and move.

Good luck!

Roland Richardson
Monaco

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