Improving Administrative English Proficiency in Healthcare Settings: A Task-Based ESP Case Study from King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

Background: In a healthcare environment where English is the primary language for documentation and communication, a lack of proficiency in administrative writing can negatively impact efficiency, patient safety, and institutional reputation.
Aim: This study aimed to enhance participants' professional writing skills and improve their ability to handle daily administrative tasks with clarity and confidence.
Methods: A qualitative case study methodology was adopted to explore the implementation and outcomes of a six-week course titled "Administrative Writing Skills in English" at King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The study involved 15 administrative staff from various departments. Data were collected through pre- and post-course writing samples, participant feedback forms, instructor observations, and informal interviews with line managers. The curriculum was developed based on authentic hospital documents and role-based simulations to emphasize clarity, tone, and structure.
Results: Findings demonstrated a notable improvement in participants’ writing accuracy, structure, and confidence. Post-course writing samples showed better sentence construction, appropriate use of tone, and adherence to formal structures. Both participants and their supervisors reported a perceived increase in communication efficiency and clarity.
Conclusion: The study concluded that targeted English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction is effective in enhancing the professional writing skills of non-clinical staff in healthcare settings. The findings suggest a growing necessity for expanding such ESP programs in hospitals across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. This case study provided a replicable curriculum model for other institutions and contributes to the broader ESP literature on workplace writing in non-Anglophone contexts.