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My blog on www.oetprep.com

16/4/2014

I have decided to add the blog below that I wrote for my dedicated OET prep website. I know that it is difficult for candidates preparing for an exam to focus on developing their communication skills when all they want is to know how to pass the exam! The fact remains that the OET is a language exam which tests the ability to communicate well and safely in a healthcare environment. The words 'communicate well' are the key.

For this reason, I am slowly self publishing materials in book form for candidates to develop skills in the four areas which are tested (reading,writing,listening and speaking).

Blog entry on OET Prep website:

I continue to be asked for more YouTube videos showing sample dialogues for the role plays in the OET speaking subtest. Thank you all for your interest. Some of you also ask for the transcripts but actually, without an explanation about the language used in the dialogue, transcripts are of limited value. For this reason I decided to self publish some books with hints for the OET for nurses. I have just finished a book for the speaking subtest ( see picture to the left). It is available on the self publishing site LULU which is a site similar to AMazon ion the way you order books.

The reason I decided to write the book was to highlight important information about communication and the language functions you will use to communicate effectively. Some people are a little confused when I say 'language function' so I'll just quickly explain here:

Grammar - these are the correct verb tenses, noun forms and adjective order rules which are the building blocks of the language. For example, the Present Perfect, uncountable nouns etc.

Language functions (also called Functional Language) - this is what you do with the grammar you have learned. So, 'asking about the duration of an event' uses the Present Perfect tense (How long have you had the pain in your side?).

To communicate well, it's important to understand which functions to use in a given situation. This is more important than correct grammar. For example, if you say 'Can you explain me about the accident?', I will understand what you mean, even though 'explain me' is incorrect grammar. It should be Can you explain TO me....

The role play samples which I write and put on YouTube show you examples of some of the language functions you might use in similar situations. Remember that you should develop your own style, not just copy mine! I give you one or two examples under each function heading - you need to go away and think about the sorts of role plays you might have to do and think of the language you will use in them.

This is why I advise my students to write down some mini-dialogues covering particular functions. Think of how you will advise a patient about caring for a simple dressing at home. Try to have no more than 3 points you might tell the patient.
For example, 1. keep clean and dry 2. change every 2 days 3. tell your GP if you notice any discharge.

You might think of 3 different points ( cover dressing with a plastic before you have a shower, have a shower not a bath, have the stitches taken out after a week to ten days). It really doesn't matter what your points are. It's more important to think about the language you will use to advise - It's a good idea to.... You should....It's best to....Make sure that you..... Try not to.....

When you look at the videos on YouTube, try to identify the language I have used in them and think about the reasons I used those particular functions. Feel free to use them as a guide for your own dialogues but make sure your dialogues reflect your communication style, not mine!

1 Comment

'How can I pass the OET?'

9/4/2014

16 Comments

If I had a dollar for every email I open asking this question, I would be a wealthy woman! Without wishing to sound frivolous, it is not a question I can answer. Like any test, candidates may benefit from a certain degree of luck on the day. The topics covered in the subtest might be familiar, to an extent anyway. Many candidates worry that they won't be familiar at all with the topic and this is always a possibility. Even when familiar with the topic, it may be presented 'with a twist' so it is almost like a new topic.

This is really the point of the OET. You are not expected to rote learn dialogues or learn chunks of text by heart. You are being tested on your ability to understand the language in both forms (spoken and written) and respond appropriately. Despite this, you need to start somewhere so, here are some ideas for you to use as you prepare for the test.

Before I list the ideas, I would like to stress an important aspect of your preparation. That is, it takes time! The length of time it will take depends on several points:
1. What is your starting level of English? - don't try to deal with complex language if you are still at Pre-Intermediate Level (B1-B2). Sometimes, students look at material at B1-B2 level and think that it is too easy for the test. This may be true,however, if you are still struggling at B1 level, you are not ready for the test. Spend time making sure that you know the basics - general language functions. Remember that more complex communication strategies like hedging or dealing with difficult conversations build on basic communication strategies.

2. How well can you skim over a paragraph and pick out the key terms? You need to be able to do this quickly and accurately for the reading test.

3. Can you identify key terms when someone is talking? You need to be able to predict or guess the words you are likely to hear. Remember that words you can read easily may sound quite different when they are spoken.

Preparation tips
Speaking: write your own script for the sort of things you think you'll need to say. This will make you feel a bit more confident even if you have to adapt your dialogue for each role play.Some suggestions:
* explaining how to look after a dressing at home.
* explaining about pain relief after an operation
* explaining about eating and drinking after a tooth extraction
* advising about suture removal
* suggesting ways to change diet /exercise habits

Dealing with difficult conversations
Lately, I have had a lot of requests for help in dealing with difficult conversations. Firstly, understand that these are not easy for most of us but we can all learn to manage them better. Some of the scenarios may be:
1. anxious mother/father whose daughter/son is in the middle of an operation. The parent keeps insisting that you let them into the operation.
2. patient who is terminally ill but insists on going home, refuses help and claims that s/he can manage alone. Refuses admission to the hospice or nursing home.
3. young mother whose baby may have jaundice/tries to discharge herself before blood test result back.
4. Patient refuses to take medication because friend says that a herbal remedy is much better. Test results indicate a serious infection which must be treated with antibiotics.

As in real life, you need to 'put yourself in the patient's shoes'. Imagine how they must be feeling (frightened,worried,determined) and start by respecting their feelings.
Empathise: I can see this must be difficult for you. / I understand this is very hard for you.
Remember that you should never say ' I know how you feel' because you don't! You can only imagine how the person feels.

Explain why it is important for them to do something.Acknowledge their concerns first.
I know that you really want to see your daughter now but it's not possible. She's in the middle of an operation so we are not allowed in until she arrives in Recovery.
Negotiate when they insist on an action or when they refuse to accept what you say.
Would you be willing to wait here until the surgeon can come out and speak to you?
Do you think you could wait a little longer for the test results before you decide to go home?

What if the patient insists?
This is difficult for most people to manage. The only way to manage such a situation is to repeat the reasons why you think it is important for them to listen to you. Then, whilst ensuring the patient understands that you respect their right to make their own choice, suggest giving them some information with a phone number to discuss the situation at a later stage. This is as close to an authentic situation as you can get.
Nurse: I appreciate that you have made a decision not to go to the hospice or a nursing home but perhaps you may change your mind later. Can I give you this information leaflet about the services available at the hospice? There is a phone number as well if you ever want to find out more.'

It's important not to keep insisting and very important not to sound judgemental at all.

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My blog on www.oetprep.com

'How can I pass the OET?'

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