OET Speaking: How to Improve Your Linguistic Skills ( Updated)

OET speaking test is a sub-set of the main OET (Occupational English Test) which assesses the English language skills of healthcare providers who wish to work in English-speaking nations. Many aspirants struggle with the speaking part of the OET test because they might not be great at speaking English. But if you understand how good your spoken English is, it can help you improve your score on the speaking test. In this article, we will discuss OET Speaking: How to Improve Your Linguistic Skills.

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What is the OET Speaking Test?

Purpose: It’s a test for healthcare workers who want to work in English-speaking countries.

Format: Candidates talk in simulated healthcare situations.

Why It Matters: It checks if candidates can communicate well in English at work.

How to Improve Your Linguistic Skills 

Scoring in OET Speaking

In the OET speaking test, you have to do two role plays. Two examiners watch your performance and grade you based on two main things: how good your spoken English is and how well you talk to the patient.

Why Clinical Communication Skills Matter

When you’re getting ready for the OET, it’s a good idea to work on your patient communication skills. This is because it’s easier to get better at talking to patients than improving your English skills quickly. However in this article our main focus will be on linguistic skills.

Focus on Language Skills

Here, we’re going to talk about the language skills you need for the OET speaking test. Understanding how you’re graded can help you prepare better and do well on test day.

Understanding OET Speaking Criteria

In the speaking test, you’re scored based on four things:

• Intelligibility
• Fluency
• Appropriateness of Language
• Grammar and Expression

Looking at Intelligibility

Before we start with how you’re scored, let’s understand how important each criterion is. Each one is scored from zero to six. To get a good overall score, you need mostly high scores, ideally 5 out of 6, in each area. Intelligibility, crucial for effective communication, encompasses several components:

Pronunciation

Good pronunciation means making English sounds clear. There are 24 consonant sounds and 20 vowel sounds in English, making a total of 44 sounds. Additionally, there are 144 consonant cluster sounds, which are combinations of two or three consonants.

Intonation

Intonation is about using the right tone when speaking. In English, we use rising and falling tones to express different meanings. For example, rising-falling intonation is used in WH questions, while rising intonation is used for yes/no questions.

Emphasis

Emphasis, or stress, is about giving importance to certain words or syllables in a sentence. In English, word stress can fall on the first, second, or third syllable, depending on the word. Proper word stress helps convey meaning clearly.

Word Stress

Words can have different stress patterns, affecting their meaning and type. For example, nouns often have stress on the first syllable, while verbs have stress on the second syllable.

Sentence Stress

Emphasizing different words or phrases within a sentence directs attention to specific parts, known as sentence stress. This enhances communication and clarity.

Rhythm

Rhythm in English involves the regularity of stressed syllables. Despite sentence length, each sentence has a consistent duration, with important words maintaining emphasis.

Accent

Accent diversity is normal and not problematic unless it affects pronunciation clarity. Speakers should be easily understood, regardless of accent variation.

Fluency and Appropriateness in OET Speaking

Fluency

Fluency encompasses speech rate and flow. Speakers should avoid speaking too quickly or slowly, ensuring a smooth and continuous flow of speech.

Appropriateness

Appropriateness involves comprehensibility and tone. Speakers should aim to be easily understood, especially when discussing complex medical topics, and maintain an appropriate tone throughout the conversation. In OET Speaking, it’s crucial to use language appropriate for the patient, avoiding medical jargon. Simplifying explanations ensures patient understanding and effective communication.

Tone in OET Speaking

Adopting a suitable tone is essential, reflecting empathy or firmness as needed. Politeness is paramount, but variations in pitch and tone aid clarity and convey meaning effectively.

Grammar and Expression in OET Speaking

Depth of Grammar and Expression

Depth refers to the clarity of language use. Ambiguous language can hinder communication, emphasizing the importance of clear grammar and expression.

Grammatical Range

A wide range of grammar and vocabulary allows for clear expression. Limited language skills may constrain ideas and hinder clarity.

Flexibility

Paraphrasing and varied expression demonstrate flexibility in communication. This skill, coupled with a broad vocabulary and grammar, ensures effective communication in different scenarios.

Complexity

While simplicity is valued, certain medical concepts require complex language for clarity. The ability to express complex ideas accurately is essential for effective communication.

Idiomaticity

Using idiomatic phrases common in English helps in natural communication. These phrases lack meaning individually but convey specific meanings in context, enhancing fluency and comprehension.

Conclusion

Improving linguistic skills in OET Speaking involves mastering the linguistic criteria mentioned above while ensuring effective clinical communication. A lot of practice, coupled with relaxation on test day, will help you score well in this test. Consider taking up Entri’s OET Coaching to achieve a higher score in the OET exam through a comprehensive strategy, and so on