Russian doctors get English language lessons ahead of the World Cup

Worried that when you go to the World Cup in Russia and get sick, local medical staff might confuse a virus with venereal disease or concussion with the common cold?

Russian officials apparently have similar concerns. Earlier this week, Moscow city authorities announced that doctors in the capital are undergoing special English-language courses ahead of the international football tournament next year.

“A stress was placed on a broadening of their vocabulary of medical terms,” the Moscow mayor’s office said in a statement released on Tuesday.

A total of 180 doctors took part in the training, according the statement, and more English language lessons are planned for next year.

Moscow is just one of the 11 cities due to host matches during the World Cup, which will begin in June.