OET LISTENING HELP TIPS

Test Information

The Listening sub-test takes around 50 minutes. The exact length depends on the length of the audio recording. It has two parts and is the same for all OET candidates.

In Part A you listen to a recording of a consultation between a health professional and a patient (dialogue). You take notes under the headings provided while you listen. This part of the test usually lasts around 20 minutes.

In Part B you listen to a recording of a talk or lecture on a health-related issue (monologue). There is a variety of tasks for you to complete while you listen. This part of the test usually lasts around 30 minutes.

You hear the recordings for the two parts once only, just as you would in real life. However, there are pauses during the recordings to allow you time to write your answers and to read the next heading or question. At the start of each part, there is some time for you to look through the headings and questions; at the end of the test, there is time for you to check your answers.
You are given a printed answer booklet to write your responses in. You may write in pen or pencil.

Listening Strategies

·         When the recording starts, use the time allowed to look through the questions carefully.

·         Scan the headings and questions so you know what to listen out for .

·         Use prediction skills – e.g., what vocabulary is likely to come up given this topic.

·         Don’t write full sentences; make notes and be sure they are clear and unambiguous.

·         To save time use common abbreviations and symbols such as BP for Blood Pressure or an arrow for increase and decrease. This is acceptable in the exam.

·         Write clearly, don’t make it difficult for the assessor to read your responses as you may not get all the marks you could.

·         Keep looking ahead at what is coming up (on the next page too).

·         Use the pauses in the recordings to finish writing, review, and prepare for the next section.

·         Use the space provided for answers and the number of marks available for each question to guide you about how much information to include.

·         Don’t lose your place during the test; remain focused on each question.

·         Check the format of each question: e.g., sentence completion; note-taking or listing; table or diagram completion; true-false or multiple-choice questions.

·         Look for any simple spelling errors that may accidentally change the meaning of your answer (‘message’ for ‘massage’, ‘bills’ for ‘pills’, etc.).

·         If a page is messy, use clear marks (e.g., arrows) to show which answer belongs to which question or heading.

·         Practice, Practice, Practice! This is the most important aspect of improving your ability to take notes. The more you practice the better you will able to take notes and listen at the same time.

·         Build your vocabulary. When you encounter new words, find out the meaning and write them down in a vocabulary booklet.

Useful Websites for Listening

One key aspect which will help you improve your listening and note-taking skills is lots of practice. Below are some useful websites which have podcasts and audio files on health related topics.

·         The Better Health Channel: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

This site contains hundreds do audio files and a variety health topics with an Australian focus. it is aimed at non-professionals but is a great place to build vocabulary and gain an understanding of Australian health topics.

·         The Health Report : http://www.abc.net.au/rn/healthreport/

Wide range of medical topics targeted at medical and health professions. The program is jargon-free and contains easy-to-understand information and analysis on health and medical matters.
Presented by Norman Swan the program covers wide-ranging topics and issues, among them: cancer, endocrinology, epidemiology, exercise, gastroenterology, gynaecology, health education, mental health, nutrition, obstetrics, paediatrics, physiotherapy, and rheumatology.
The Health Report is broadcast on Monday at 8.30am, repeated Monday evening at 8.30pm and Tuesday at 1.30am, on Radio National, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's national radio network of ideas.
Comment
Contains full transcripts, so it is a great way to develop your listening and note-taking skill. Listening topics are usually over 10 minutes long so it is good practice. Simply listen and take notes on the key points, then check against the transcripts. Do it every week and your listening and vocabulary will steadily improve.

·         Health Minutes: http://www.abc.net.au/health/minutes/

Comment
Listening topics are very short at 1 minute at but there are transcripts and a wide range of topics. Very useful for note taking.

·         Health Check: http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/healthc/

The BBC World Service's weekly round up of global health stories and topical issues in medicine.
Comment
Great topics, but no transcripts

·         The Naked Scientists: http://www.thenakedscientists.com/

The Naked Scientists are a media-savvy group of physicians and researchers from Cambridge University who use radio, live lectures, and the Internet to strip science down to its bare essentials, and promote it to the general public. Their award winning BBC weekly radio programme, The Naked Scientists, reaches a potential audience of 6 million listeners across the east of England, and also has an international following on the web.
Comment
Lots of interesting podcasts on science topics.

·         Catalyst: http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/

The TV program is on every Thursday at 8pm on ABC or watch the Vodcasts on the internet at any time.
Comment
Very interesting program, topics are usually about 10 minutes long and good for note-taking.

·         ESL Bits: http://esl-bits.net/advanced-listening/NEWindex.htm

Comment
A wide range of news topics, including some medical/health topics. Has transcripts and a good feature is you can choose the listening speed! Fast or slow!

·         UEFAP: http://www.uefap.com/listen/exercise/exlis.htm

Comment
This is a great resource for practicing and developing note-taking skills. There are lots of activities to do as well as useful strategies.