OET: Speaking Tips
OET: Speaking Tips
OET: Speaking Tips
One of the categories the assessors use to judge the English level of candidates is “Overall
Communicative Competence”. For this criterion, you need to demonstrate your ability to handle a
typical conversation between you as a health professional and the interviewer as a patient. This
means you must lead the conversation based on the roleplay scenario on your card. You must ask
questions clearly to find out the patient’s condition and /or main concern. You must also respond
appropriately to questions from the patient (interviewer).
Another important point is not to talk over the patient. If they interrupt you, you have to allow this
and respond to their question. Although it is expected that you do 75% of the talking, (as it is your
English that is being assessed not the interviewers!) it is not good for you to talk continuously. So
when explaining important points, ask questions to the patient and seek clarification to ensure they
are following what you say.
First, as I said, the rash might be related to allergy and irritation, so please avoid things that may
irritate the skin, like soaps.
Have you noticed any itchiness after bathing your son?
Animals hair is another irritant. Do you have a pet? / Does your son come in regular contact with
animals?
In this way, rather than delivering your speech in a monologue, you will be having a meaningful
conversation with the patient, and offering advice based on the specific context of their situation,
rather than just speaking in general terms, which may not be relevant to their situation.
Intelligibility
This refers to how clearly you speak and can be broken down into the following
categories:
Pronunciation
Intonation
Syllable and word stress
Rhythm
While you are not expected to speak like a native speaker, it is expected that what you
say can be clearly understood. Therefore you need to ensure that you pronounce words
clearly, particularly words specific to a medical consultation.
For all people from non English speaking backgrounds there are some sounds, stress
patterns or rhythm which are difficult. It is important that you identify which aspects of
English are difficult for you and work hard to improve in those areas. Recording your
own speech is a useful starting point.
There are a range of strategies to improve clarity of speech, but it requires dedication
and determination to improve in this area, especially if your speech patterns have
become “ingrained” after many years of English speaking. It is also hard if you are not
living in Australia or another English speaking country. Listed below are some strategies
which can help you improve in this area.
Medical Terminology
Many medical words such as the names of various conditions are long and difficult to
pronounce. A good website which features English and US pronunciation of most
common medical words is:
• http://www.thefreedictionary.com/
Fluency
This is a challenging category especially if you are not using English on a daily basis. If
your speech contains too many hesitations or pauses you will be marked down. To get a
B grade or above in the exam your aim is to speak at an even and controlled speed. If
fluency is a weak area for you, then practicing the scenarios often can help you become
more familiar with the various stages of the roleplay and what expressions are suitable
for each stage. You need to practice roleplay scenarios regularly so that you have the
confidence to respond to the scenario and patient with a reasonable degree of fluency.
1. Find out about the patient by taking a brief, specific history (note, there is not
usually enough time to ask general questions so always focus on the situation
at hand)
2. Provide information about the condition
3. Teach the patient how to manage the condition
Therefore you can improve fluency be becoming familiar with suitable expressions that
allow you to deal with these situations. In addition, the wider range of vocabulary you
have, then the more fluent you will be able to speak. See functions of language for
examples of how to do this.
Look carefully at the vocabulary and expressions used by Norman Swan and try to
incorporate this into your speech. You will be surprised at what it difference it can make
in a relatively short time if you work hard.
Appropriateness of Language
Technical Language
In this category, you are basically being tested on your ability to explain medical and
technical jargon commonly used in your profession, into simple, clear language. You can
be guaranteed that if you use technical language, the patient (interviewer) will ask you
to explain what you mean. That does not mean you cannot use some medical
terminology, it just means that you need to be ready to explain it in simple terms to the
patient.
yeah Vs yes
wanna Vs would like to
gonna Vs going to
Gender
A common error is incorrect use of pronouns. Him /his when the patient is a female or
her/hers when the patient is a male. If you have difficulties with pronouns, write them
down in large letters on your role-play card as a reminder!
This relates to how accurately you speak. To achieve a B score you will need to
demonstrate good grammatical control in your speech. You can improve your grammar
and sentence structure by writing out dialogues for for various scenarios common to
your profession and have them checked by your teacher or a native speaker friend. See
functions of language for examples of how to form suitable sentences.
Below are a list of common errors which you should study carefully so that you can avoid
them in your own speech.
Incorrect Correct
I will now explain you what caused I will now explain what caused your
your condition. condition.
I will now explain to you what
caused your condition.
Explanation: Explain cannot be followed by I will tell you what caused your
pronoun such as you or me. condition.
I strongly advice that you brush your I strongly advise that you brush your
teeth twice a day. teeth twice a day. (adjective)
My advice is to brush your teeth
Explanation: advice is a noun, advise is the twice a day. (noun)
verb
Let me give you some advices. Let me give you some advice.
This relates to how accurately you speak. To achieve a B score you will need to
demonstrate good grammatical control in your speech. You can improve your grammar
and sentence structure by writing out dialogues for for various scenarios common to
your profession and have them checked by your teacher or a native speaker friend. See
functions of language for examples of how to form suitable sentences.
Below are a list of common errors which you should study carefully so that you can avoid
them in your own speech.
Incorrect Correct
I will now explain you what caused I will now explain what caused your
your condition. condition.
I will now explain to you what
Explanation: Explain cannot be followed by caused your condition.
pronoun such as you or me. I will tell you what caused your
condition.
I strongly advice that you brush your I strongly advise that you brush your
teeth twice a day. teeth twice a day. (adjective)
My advice is to brush your teeth
Explanation: advice is a noun, advise is the twice a day. (noun)
verb
Let me give you some advices. Let me give you some advice.
The speaking sub-test consists of two roleplay scenarios. The interviewer will take the
part of the patient and the candidate takes his/her professional role as a doctor. The
interview is usually about 20 minutes long and structured as follows:
1. Identification check (not assessed)
2. Brief chat regarding the candidate’s medical career (not assessed)
3. The first roleplay including 2/3 minute preparation time and 5-6 minute
roleplay (assessed)
4. The second roleplay including 2/3 minute preparation time and 5-6 minute
roleplay (assessed)
During the preparation time you must read the roleplay card handed to you and you can
make notes on the card or underline key words. You may ask questions to interviewer if
there is anything you are unsure about, especially vocabulary. This is important because
if you misunderstand the situation it could effect how you approach the task.
Generally, if the interviewer is a male then the patient will be a male and if the
interviewer is a female then the patient will be a female. You can use the interviewer's
name to address them with if you like, or simply refer to them as Sir/Madam. Whatever
you feel more comfortable with.
The interviewer may also take the role of a parent or carer of the patient i.e if the
patient is a child, or has a serious illness.
Roleplay Structure
The roleplay scenarios are based on real situations you are likely to encounter in you
work as a nurse in Australia. There are a variety of possible settings for the roleplay
including:
Introductions are a very important part of the role-play as they allow you to start the
conversation in a positive way and in line with requirements of the roleplay card.
Therefore the first thing to do is read the card very carefully looking for information
which will help you, as a health professional, determine how to approach the patient or
carer.
Important factors to consider
Identify the setting such as Hospital Ward, Community Clinic, School or Large
Company. This will signify the relationship you have with the patient or carer.
Identify the patient, male, female, parent of child etc. Note, in the exam,
most cards are not gender specific, so that if the interviewer is a male the
patient will be a male and if the interviewer is a female, then the patient will
be a female.
Is it the first time to meet the patient or are they a regular patient of yours
For example if you know the patient is a good idea to begin with a familiar
tone such as
o Hi Jane, how can I help you today? Rather than.
o Hello I am Naomi, Kate your Nurse. How may I address you?
It is very important to start the roleplay in a confident manner. Here are some standard
ways to begin the conversation.
Good morning Madam, I’m Kate your Nurse . What brings you here today?
Good morning Sir. I’m Kate your Nurse today. Tell me why you have come
here.
Good morning John, please sit down. I’m Kate your nurse. What seem to be
the problem?
Hello Steven, you’re here to have your stiches removed, aren’t you.
Good morning Patricia, you’ve brought your daughter along I see. What seems
to be the problem?
Once you have taken the history to a satisfactory level it is time to move to the second
stage of the roleplay which is often an explanation about a certain condition or method
of treatment. This may take up to a third of the roleplay (1-2 minutes) so it essential
that you do it in a clear and well organised manner as outlined below:
Do you know anything about this condition? No? Okay I will explain it to you.
It is a condition caused by….
The symptoms include…….
The best treatment is to…….
It is highly contagious so you need to…
Try not to talk continuously. Stop from time to time to check if the patient understands
your explanation.
Is that clear?
Do you understand so far?
Do you have any questions?
If you return to work you run the risk of doing further damage to you health.
As I said, if you follow my advice and keep the wound clean, it will completely
heal, free of infection. However if you do not follow my advice, and allow the
wound to get dirty again, then infection may occur.
The doctor has said that it is very important to take all your medications.
According to the doctor you are ready to leave hospital today.
This can be a difficult part for some people. The important thing to remember is to make
the closing sentence short and concise. Here are some examples of how to do this:
Is there anything else you would like to ask me?.......Okay take care now Mr
Jones.
Thanks for coming to see me today. Goodbye.
Please come and see me again in a week.
Here are some brochures to help you understand the treatment procedure.
Please come again if you have any problems with the medication.
I would like to see your child again in two months time. Take care now.
Useful Website
English Med is a useful website which contains some sample conversations &
transcripts between a health professional (usually a doctor) and a patient.
There are many ways to successfully approach the speaking task. Below
are a list of simple points to remember to help you succeed on the day.
Dos Don'ts
Do read the roleplay card carefully Don't plan what you are going to say
and ask the interviewer if you are in advance. React to the scenario on
unsure of any of the words or your roleplay card and plan your role
expressions in the task. accordingly.
Do react to what the interviewer (as Don't plan what you are going to say
patient) asks or says and respond in advance. React to the scenario on
accordingly. This is much more your roleplay card and plan your role
important than simply following the accordingly.
tasks on the card.
Do focus on the patient and respond Don't be card focussed at the
to their questions and concerns. expense of the patient. It is much
more important to respond to the
patient in a natural and caring
manner (where required).
Do take charge of the roleplay. You Don't wait for the interviewer to lead
are a medical professional and the roleplay. They may not!!
should act accordingly by leading the This is your job.
roleplay. This means you must start
and conclude the roleplay, and if the
patient is quite or silent, then it is
your responsibility to keep the
conversation moving.
Do utilise the allowed 2~3 minutes Don't rush through your card in 30
to identify the key points on your seconds and say you are ready to
card including: start! You may miss some important
details.
the setting
whether you know the patient,
or if it's the first time to meet
the main topic of conversation
& relevant background
information
task requirements
Is that clear?
Can you do that?
Alzheimer's disease
Asthma
Broken Bone
Burns
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol
Complaint against hospital staff/procedure
Diabetes
Discharge of an aged patient
Eczema
Epilepsy
Fear of surgery
Head Lice
Infection
Immunisation
Jaundice
Medication change
Myocardial Infarction
Palliative care
Poor nutrition
Post surgery activity
Pneumonia
Urinary track infection
Ask yourself the question, do you feel confident dealing with these situations? If not you
can prepare for the speaking test by researching common medical conditions such as
those above and writing out possible dialogues between you and the patient. A useful
website which explains common conditions in layman's language is The Better Health
Channel.
Speaking Course
Homework and targeted practice on your weak areas will also be included
in the course, depending on your needs.
There are 2 course options:
Short course consisting of 2 separate I hour lessons with 3~4
different role-play scenarios per lesson, depending on your level
and how much feedback is required and what skills are practiced:
Fee $120
Full course consisting of 4 separate 1 hour lessons with 3~4
different role-play scenarios per lesson, depending on your level
and how much feedback is required and what skills are
practiced:Fee $240
skype: steve.macphail
Email: [email protected]