In this issue

It is a source of singular pleasure to welcome to these pages another independent initiative – the Special Supplement on English for Medical Purposes. This collection is both timely and urgent as it attempts to address some of the challenges facing teachers teaching English for healthcare. Recognising that a globally mobile workforce, ease of travel, and the increasing dominance of English as a lingua franca make it more important than ever for anyone involved in healthcare, the Editors of this Supplement ask: ‘Where else could communication be more important than in healthcare?’ As this collection of articles shows, while there are great opportunities, there are equally great challenges for English teachers.