Page 17 - ELG2406 June Issue 490

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occupation
A change of
A change of occupation

Steve MacPhail (M ED TESOL), Founder and Director of OET Online,

describes how becoming an OET teacher is a worthwhile journey
for aspiring ESL teachers.

f you have recently stepped foot into
a hospital, community health centre,
a pharmacy or an aged care home in
Ian English-speaking country, you will
have noticed how culturally diverse these
workplaces are.
Chances are, English is not the first language
of many of these health care workers, yet
they will have met the stringent requirements
of their respective medical boards to
communicate easily and effectively in English.
So how did they get there? Aside from the
standard medical qualifications required, they
will also have had to demonstrate their English
proficiency. One way to do this is to sit for the
Occupational English Test (OET).

Q: So what exactly is the Occupational
English Test (OET)?
The Occupational English Test (OET) is exam quality practice tasks that are designed exam success and move forward with their
an internationally accepted, high stakes to match the degree of difficulty students will professional careers.
English language test, developed in Australia face in the exam. We are also the only Premium
and specifically designed to assess whether Preparation Provider that is fully endorsed for Q: Could you tell us more about
international healthcare professionals have the all 12 professions tested by OET. That means your Medical English programmes for
required English language skills to work in an we had to undergo a rigorous quality assurance hospitals with non-English speaking staff?
English-speaking health care environment. It process to demonstrate that our tasks have the For the past two years, we have been providing
is accepted by various medical boards globally appropriate degree of medical complexity as in our own bespoke EMP courses for health
and suitable for doctors, nurses, dentists and the exam. In addition, all our teachers are OET professionals and administrative staff in
pharmacists as well allied professionals like Knowledge badge holders, which means they European hospitals. There is a clear demand for
radiographers, podiatrists and speech pathologists have the skills and experience necessary to help medical staff and administrators to be able to
to name a few. An OET score of B or 350 is candidates achieve their required OET score. communicate in English in order to attend and
required by most medical boards, which equates present at conferences in English around the
to C1 level under CEFR descriptors. Q: What courses do you provide and world as well as to communicate with English
what type of student is best suited to speaking patients. To help build these skills,
Q: What skills or experience would you each course? we provide discussion-based classes on a range
need to teach OET preparation? All our courses are delivered online and range of topics important to health professionals. As
Just as it takes time and experience to from one-month intensive exam preparation all of our classes tend to be online, the use of
become an EAP teacher, the journey to for those who have an upcoming exam and breakout rooms helps ensure that students get
become an OET teacher can take time, but simply need to brush up on their skills, to the opportunity to interact with their fellow
there is no need to have any formal medical 12-month courses for those who need longer health professionals, and actually get to practice
qualifications. After all, we all have some access and are maybe juggling workplace and speaking through roleplays, and voicing their
experience of the medical world, whether it family commitments. opinion on health-related topics.
be visiting our local health clinic, spending
time or visiting friends or family in hospital, Q: Could you explain more about your Q: What organisations do you work with
or going for a routine dental check-up. There successful teaching methodology? and what do you provide for them?
is, however, a need to become well versed Our main delivery mode has always been We have been able to successfully deliver
in the world of medical English and develop LIVE Online Classes + Recorded Videos NHS sponsored Foundation Medical English
an in-depth understanding of how health as our students are located all over the and OET Preparation courses for nurses,
professionals communicate with each other world and often need to fit their preparation midwives and podiatrists seeking careers in
and their patients. The rewards for those who into their busy work schedules. The ideal the UK. We also work directly with the OET
put in the effort are highly motivated and combination we have found is live and Centre supporting students on the OET Hero
goal-orientated students who are prepared to interactive group classes, and one-to-one campaign which provides free testing and
work hard to improve their language skills. tutorials from qualified teachers focussing preparation for selected students who then
on each student’s individual area of need, share their journey on social media to inspire
Q: What makes OET Online a Premium combined with a wide range of self-study other health professionals.
All Star provider? content for skill building. With these For more information about our
With an online presence of more than 15 years, 3 elements in synch, it is exciting and medical English courses, visit: oetonline.net.au,
we have been able to build up a wide range of immensely satisfying to see students achieve or email: info@oetonline.net.au.
editorial@elgazette.com 17