Best Practices for Practicing OET Speaking Skills

Levi Cheptora

Sat, 07 Jun 2025

The OET Speaking subtest is a vital part of the Occupational English Test (OET), assessing how well healthcare professionals communicate in real-life clinical scenarios. It’s not just about fluency in English but also about using medical terminology effectively and engaging with patients in a professional manner. This article explores the best practices to help you improve your OET Speaking skills and perform confidently on the exam.

1. Familiarize Yourself with the OET Speaking Format

The OET Speaking test consists of two role-play scenarios where you interact with a patient (represented by the examiner) based on a clinical setting. You are evaluated on your communication skills, ability to maintain a professional tone, and use of medical language appropriate to your profession.

Tip: Make sure you understand the test structure, time limits, and scoring criteria to focus your practice on the right areas.

Resource:

• OET Speaking Test Format
  Explore the OET Speaking Format

2. Practice Role-Play Scenarios Regularly

Role-playing is the core of OET Speaking. To improve, regularly practice role-plays that simulate real patient interactions. Focus on active listening, responding empathetically, explaining medical procedures, and giving patient instructions clearly.

Tip: Use role-play cards from practice materials to simulate actual exam conditions. Record yourself and play it back to identify areas for improvement, such as fluency, tone, or the use of medical terminology.

Resource:

• OET Role-Play Cards
  Download Free Role-Play Cards

3. Focus on Active Listening

In the OET Speaking test, active listening is just as important as speaking. You need to show that you understand the patient's concerns, ask relevant follow-up questions, and provide appropriate responses. Practice techniques like summarizing what the patient has said or asking clarifying questions when needed.

Tip: During role-plays, practice summarizing key points from the patient's statements to confirm your understanding.

Resource:

• OET Listening Practice for Speaking
  Get Listening Practice Material

4. Master Medical Terminology and Layman’s Terms

As a healthcare professional, you need to switch between medical terminology and layman’s terms during the OET Speaking test. Ensure you’re comfortable explaining complex medical procedures or conditions in simple language that patients can understand.

Tip: Practice explaining medical concepts in two ways: once with technical terms and then in simpler terms that a non-medical person could understand.

Resource:

• Medical Terminology Glossary for OET
  Download Medical Terminology PDF

5. Use Empathy and a Professional Tone

One of the key assessment criteria in the OET Speaking test is your ability to communicate with empathy. Patients may be anxious, upset, or confused, and it’s important to demonstrate understanding and provide reassurance. Your tone should be professional but caring, showing a balance of authority and compassion.

Tip: Use phrases like “I understand this is difficult” or “Let me explain that in a bit more detail” to show empathy while maintaining professionalism.

Resource:

• Guide to Empathetic Communication in Healthcare
  Learn More About Empathy in Healthcare

6. Incorporate Feedback into Your Practice

Feedback is crucial to improving your OET Speaking performance. If possible, work with a teacher, language partner, or fellow healthcare professional to practice role-plays and get constructive feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement.

Tip: Use online platforms that provide expert feedback on your speaking tests, focusing on fluency, clarity, and accuracy.

Resource:

• OET Speaking Feedback Services
  Get Personalized Feedback on OET Speaking

7. Speak Clearly and Pace Yourself

While fluency is important, speaking too fast can lead to miscommunication or a loss of clarity. Practice speaking at a steady pace, ensuring you enunciate clearly. Pausing at appropriate points gives you time to think and allows the patient to process the information.

Tip: Practice delivering clear, concise explanations without rushing. Record yourself and listen to ensure your speech is easily understood.

8. Use Transition Phrases to Organize Your Speech

Using transition phrases helps you organize your responses, making it easier for the patient (and the examiner) to follow your explanation. For example, use phrases like “First, we will…,” “Next, I’d like to discuss…,” or “Finally, I’ll explain…”

Tip: Practice using a variety of transition phrases during role-plays to improve the flow and coherence of your speech.

Resource:

• List of Useful OET Speaking Phrases
  Download Speaking Phrases PDF

9. Simulate Real-Life Consultations

Take every opportunity to simulate real-life consultations in your professional setting. If you’re currently working in healthcare, try incorporating OET-like conversations into your daily patient interactions. If not, practice with a colleague or language partner.

Tip: Use your work environment to practice explaining conditions, treatment options, and giving advice as you would during the OET exam.

10. Monitor Your Progress with Practice Tests

It’s important to track your progress as you prepare for the OET Speaking test. Use full-length practice tests to measure your improvement over time. Focus on fluency, clarity, and patient-centered communication.

Tip: Regularly take mock OET Speaking tests and compare your performance to past recordings to identify areas where you've improved or need more work.

Resource:

• OET Speaking Practice Tests
  Access Free OET Speaking Tests

Conclusion

Practicing for the OET Speaking test requires a blend of role-playing, real-life consultations, and feedback. By focusing on active listening, clear communication, empathy, and medical terminology, you’ll improve your ability to perform confidently in clinical scenarios. Use the resources and strategies outlined in this guide to help you practice effectively and reach your desired OET Speaking score.

Additional Resources:

• OET Official Website
  Visit OET.org

• OET Speaking Sample Role-Plays
  Download OET Role-Play Cards

• OET Speaking Practice Tips
  Explore Speaking Tips

• OET Speaking Success Stories
  Read OET Speaking Success Stories