The paper examines the opportunities and challenges of incorporating the principle of respect for autonomy, which is the basis of medical ethics, into the process of teaching English in medical school. A future doctor should not only absolutely comprehend the principle but also be able to implement it while speaking a foreign language, respecting a patient’s right to get complete information about their health and to choose their own treatment method. The study justifies using role-playing games and dialogue-based activities in English lessons as it prepares medical students for implementing the principle of respect for autonomy, while analyzing both the advantages and challenges of this approach. The integrative approach that combines the development of communicative competence in English as well as ethical and legal aspects of medical practice takes patient-doctor communication to the new level. The principle of respect for autonomy turns into a meaningful imperative when used in practice.