LSI/IH Portsmouth offers both full-time and part-time OET courses for Nurses and Doctors. These courses include face-to-face or online tuition with experienced and highly-qualified teachers, as well as access to self-study facilities, and daily homework. Our courses have been fully-endorsed by the OET group, so they are guaranteed to provide high-level preparation.
The OET Exam consists of four sub-tests: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Our courses focus on the skills required for each part of the exam. You will have specialised input in each area of the exam, along with feedback on your progress from your teachers, a range of practice activities, and access to self-study material.
For 2023, our Full-Time OET Preparation course is offered on a closed group basis only. Please contact us to discuss your needs further
The OET (Occupational English Test) is an English language test for healthcare professionals.
OET assesses the language and communication skills of healthcare professionals who would like to register and practise in an English-speaking environment. The OET exam assesses all four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) with an emphasis on communication in a healthcare environment.
OET is trusted by regulators, hospitals and universities in the UK, Ireland, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Singapore, Canada and many other countries. OET has been developed specifically for 12 healthcare professions.
The Reading sub-test for OET consists of three parts. There are 42 questions, and you have 60 minutes to complete all three parts. Part A consists of four short texts on a single healthcare topic, and you have to locate specific information in the texts as quickly as possible. In Part B of the OET reading sub-test you have to identify the detail, gist and purpose of six short texts that you might find in a healthcare workplace. In Part C you have to answer questions about two longer texts on a topic of interest to healthcare workers (for example, an article about medical research).
The OET writing sub-test consists of one writing task. You have to write a letter in a workplace context (for example, a referral letter to a care home), based on case notes. The OET writing lasts for 45 minutes in total. You have 5 minutes to read the case notes, and then 40 minutes to write your letter.
Like the reading, the OET listening sub-test has 3 parts, and a total of 42 questions. You will hear each recording once. The test takes 45 minutes in total. In part A of OET listening, you have to listen to two patient-healthcare professional consultations, and complete notes about the conversations. In part B, you listen to six one-minute extracts from healthcare workplace situations, and answer multiple-choice questions. In part C of OET listening, you listen to extracts from two presentations or interviews on a range of healthcare topics, and then answer six multiple-choice questions for each extract.
In the OET speaking sub-test, the candidate takes part in two five-minute role plays. The role plays are profession-specific, so if you are taking the OET nursing exam, for example, each role play will be between a nurse and a patient, client or carer. You have 3 minutes to prepare each role play from a role card, and then the role play lasts for five minutes. You will undertake the role play with a trained interlocutor, who will play the other role. In the OET speaking sub-test you are assessed on both your linguistic ability (such as your grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation), and your communicative ability (such as your ability to listen, empathise with the patient, and so on).