1) Starting the role-play interview including Introductions, developing

rapport, identifying reason for visit

2) Gathering information from a patient including questioning techniques

3) Responding to a patient's concerns

4) Explanations including giving information in a clear organised manner

5) Communication skills and expressions in the important areas of :

expressing concern, reassuring, making suggestions, persuading,
justifying & breaking bad news

6) Closing the role-play interview including future planning and

summarising

Dos and Don'ts

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 and ask the interviewer Don't plan what you are going to say in
if you are unsure of any of the words or expressions in the advance. React to the scenario on your
task. roleplay card and plan your role accordingly.

Do react to what the interviewer (as patient) asks or says Don't plan what you are going to say in
and respond accordingly. This is much more important advance. React to the scenario on your
than simply following the tasks on the card. roleplay card and plan your role accordingly.

Don't be card focussed at the expense of the

Do focus on the patient and respond to their questions and patient. It is much more important to
concerns. respond to the patient in a natural and caring
manner (where required).

Do take charge of the roleplay. You are a medical

professional and should act accordingly by leading the Don't wait for the interviewer to lead the
roleplay. They may not!!
roleplay. This means you must start and conclude the
roleplay, and if the patient is quite or silent, then it is your This is your job.
responsibility to keep the conversation moving.
Do utilise the allowed 2~3 minutes to identify the key
points on your card including:

• the setting
Don't rush through your card in 30 seconds
• whether you know the patient, or if it's the first and say you are ready to start!
time to meet
You may miss some important details.
• the main topic of conversation & relevant
background information

• task requirements

Don't try to memorise the whole card. You

Do refer to your card occasionally during the exam,
can refer to it as required during the
especially if you are unsure of what to say.
roleplay.

Don't feel you must complete every aspect of

Do be prepared to discuss matters which are not on your
your task. Remember it is a guide only and
card. The patient's card usually contains information which
you will not be penalised if you do not
is not on your card.
complete every detail of your card.

Don't look at you card only and read it while

Do look at the patient during the roleplay. Although only the patient is talking as you must listen
your speech is recorded, your communication will be more carefully to what they the patient
effective if you have eye contact with the interviewer.
says so that you can respond appropriately.

Don't spend too much time on unrelated

Do stay focussed on the task at hand. You only have 5-6
matters such as a detailed medical history as
minutes to complete the task!
you do not have time for this.

Do practise as many tasks as possible with a partner to Don't ignore the task requirements and say
ensure you are familiar with the speaking test. Remember what you think based on your medical
it is very different to IELTS and requires different knowledge. Remember it is a test of English
language skills, such as the ability to persuade, convince language ability and not a place to
and reassure. demonstrate your medical knowledge.

Do act confidently and speak with a positive voice. If you

Don't show how nervous you are as this can
are unsure of the details of the condition, it is okay to
negatively affect your result. Lots of practice
make it up! Remember it is a test of English not your
is the best way to overcome nerves.
medical knowledge.
Do slow down your speech when using unfamiliar words
Don't use a lot of medical jargon and
such as names of medications or treatment procedures.
technical words. You need to use layman’s
Always be prepared to explain the meaning of any medical
language to describe the condition.
terminology you use.

Do regularly check that the patient understands your

explanations. Ask questions such as: Don't speak in a continuously in a
monologue.You are taking part in a 2 way
• Is that clear?
conversation.
• Can you do that?

Do stop speaking if the patient wants to interrupt you. You Definitely do not talk over the patient. You
must respond to the patient. will be penalised for this!

Correct a grammatical or vocabulary mistake immediately Don't rush your sentences as you are more
if you are aware that you have made one. (Native speakers likely to make an error. Try to remain clam
certainly do this!) and in control.

Don't be too stressed if you make a gender

Do be aware of the gender of your patient and if you say
error, 1 or 2 slips is acceptable but more than
heinstead of she, try to correct it.
this may be penalised.

How to Improve your Speaking Skills

For many, getting a B grade in speaking is a big challenge. The basic skills that
you will require to achieve a B grade include:

• The ability to speak with a reasonable degree of fluency with minimal

hesitations
• The ability to use a wide range of grammatical structures so that you can make
smooth and effective communication with the patient including the ability to
ask questions, explain dental conditions, reassure, give advice, persuade and
so on
• A good range of vocabulary within the dental and medical context
• A confident manner so that you can lead the role-play from start to finish
• The ability to explain common dental conditions in nontechnical language
understandable by the general public
So, to achieve this level of communication ability in English, you can develop the
required skills by working through the following stages

Stage 1
 Write out dialogues of a medical interview between a health professional and
patient using the role play scenarios in your course. If you enrol in a speaking
course, you can do this by studying the worksheets listed under "Interview
Techniques" and learn how to use the various structures and expressions.
 Research medical conditions and learn how to explain them simply and clearly
in layman's language, and within the Australian context.
 Practice doing the role-plays at home by yourself or even better with a friend
and record your voice (Audacity software is a good, free computer based
software for this)
 Analyse your own speaking and keep practicing until your fluency, range of
expression, grammar and confidence improves. Ask yourself the following
questions
 Could I ask appropriate questions?,
 Was able to clearly explain the dental condition?
 Was my fluency good?  Did I hesitate a lot?
 Was my pronunciation clear?
 Was my grammar and sentence structure accurate?
 Could I lead the role-play? Do this every day with different conditions
and keep doing it until you feel confident in your ability to complete a
medical interview.

Stage 2
 Once you have developed confidence and have a good understanding of how
to structure a medical interview you can begin doing role-plays by simply
researching the topic, but not reading the role-play cards. Then, either with
your teacher or with a friend you can act out the role-plays unrehearsed,
without any dialogue support. This will give you a good idea of your level, and
your ability to respond appropriately to the patient without preparation. Make
sure you continue to record your own speech, so that can identify your
strengths and weaknesses and do the necessary study.

Stage 3

The final stage is when you can confidently respond to any role-play scenario,
regardless of the topic, and complete a medical interview without any
preparation, apart from the 3

minutes allowed by OET on exam day. Once you have reached this stage, you
will know you have a chance of achieving a B grade or higher.
How long does it take to reach this level?

Well, that depends on your starting point, including the level of your English and
knowledge of common medical conditions and situations. Of course, work
experience as a dentist, either in Australia or in your own country will be helpful.
If you have an IELTS score of 6 or 7, then with serious study you may be able to
reach B level within 3~6 months. For some it will take longer, even up to a year,
but if you keep working hard you can make it.

For those who already have the basic English Language skills required as well as a
experience in their profession, then progress can be much quicker and a
successful result can be achieved within 1 or 2 months.

Sample Nurse Speaking Task: Head Lice

Setting Community Health Clinic

Community Nurse

A young woman, the mother of three children aged 3, 4, and 6 has come to the
clinic and tells you she has just discovered her eldest daughter has head lice. She
is upset and embarrassed and assures you she always washes the children hair
regularly. She has no experience in dealing with the situation as it has never
happened before.

Task

• Reassure the mother and explain that head lice are contagious and anyone
no matter how regularly they wash their hair can get head lice.
• Suggest the mother contact any school or kindergarten her children attend
as it quite probable other children are also affected.
• Recommend and explain the use of a head lice comb.
• Suggest the mother visit the local pharmacy to obtain a herbal product with
natural (non chemical) pyrethrins.
• Say that because head lice spread when people play, cuddle or work
together, it is important to check the whole family.
• Offer to provide the client with a detailed leaflet on treating and controlling
head lice.

____________________________________________________
Setting Community Health Clinic

Patient

You are the mother of three children aged 3, 4, 6. You have just discovered
your 6 year old daughter has head lice. You are upset and embarrassed as you
always wash the children’s hair regularly. You have never encountered this
problem before.

Task

• Respond to the nurses questions.

• Ask about any natural remedies you can use as you don’t like chemicals.
• Ask about whether your other children will be infected also.