The Occupational English Test: medical English testing

By Virginia Allum

Why test medical English?

• Compulsory in some countries for registration as a healthcare professional• Useful as proof of language

competence • Healthcare professionals must be safe

practitioners – language proficiency is part of this

What tests are available?

• IELTS – but not specific to medical environment• CELBAN – for nurses wanting to register in

Canada• sTANDEM - Standardised Language System for

Medical Purposes ( doctors, nurses, pharmacists)• OET – Occupational English Test for healthcare

professionals wanting to register in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore

OET – what is it?

• Medical English testing of reading, writing, listening and speaking• Covers 12 healthcare professions• Used as a benchmark to prove

language proficiency for registration as a healthcare professional

Professions covered

• Dentistry • Pharmacy• Dietetics• Physiotherapy• Medicine• Podiatry

• Nursing• Radiography• Occupational

Therapy • Speech Pathology• Optometry• Veterinary Science

What is the reading test like?

• The reading test is the same for all professions

• may cover any topic relating to the 12 professions

• reading texts may include graphs or tables

• may contain medical terminology

Preparing for the reading test

• Practise locating key words in each paragraph.

• Websites like BBC Health, ABC Health, MedlinePlus and Patient.co.uk have texts on health topics – use them to scan for key words.

• Review medical terminology including prefixes and suffixes

The listening test

• The listening test is the same for all the professions.• There are two parts: part A is a

dialogue, part B is a lecture style text.• Whilst the listening is only heard once,

it is paused after each section to allow candidates to write

Preparing for the listening test

• Practise listening for key words – the speaker may pause a little or emphasise the key words when speaking.

• Use websites such as ABC Radio National Health Matters – listen first then check the transcript.

• Check pronunciation of medical terms – they may be different from your language

The speaking test

• Consists of two role plays – each professional has a slightly different type of role play but

• All role plays practise communication skills

• Each role play presents approx. four examples of communication strategies e.g. explaining, reassuring, advising.

Format of the speaking test

• A two-minute introduction – the interlocutor gets to know the candidate briefly and checks ID.

• Two 5 minute role plays – a variety of health topics.

• Most role plays have two issues which are connected in some way.

Preparing for the speaking test

• Role plays follow a basic conversation structure – introduction, discussion of topic and rounding up of the conversation.• Prepare and practise phrases of basic

communication strategies e.g. asking open questions.• Review everyday language for medical

terms

What is the writing task?

• Each profession has a specific task – usually a letter.

• Stimulus material is provided (no underlining or note taking allowed) – only relevant details to be used.

• The letter must be set out correctly and be clearly written and well organised.

Prepare for the writing task

• Practise of handwriting essential – writing must be legible

• Review abbreviations of medical terms e.g. ECG, sats.

• Practise a standard layout of letter – identify the parts which do not change and which can be used each time.

• Review how to set out the address, salutation and ending

Other things to consider

• Clear communication is the key – review common grammatical structures e.g. verbs + infinitives with ‘to’ and verbs + infinitives without ‘to’, gerunds, discourse markers. BUT

CLEAR COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY