Language test for healthcare professionals
The University of Queensland is offering an internationally recognised English language test for healthcare professionals who want to work in an English speaking environment.
Dallas Dowsett is the deputy director of ICTE-UQ, the institute which will administer the first Occupational English Test next month.
The University’s Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ) will administer its first Occupational English Test on 3 May 2014.
The test is backed by more than 30 years of research, validation and evaluation.
It was designed by Professor Tim McNamara, one of the original developers of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Dallas Dowsett, ICTE-UQ deputy director, claims an Occupational English Test (OET) score could open doors to study and work in Australia for people from non English speaking backgrounds.
“OET is recognised by the federal government’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection for a number of visa categories, including work and student visas,” Ms Dowsett says.
“It is also trusted as a measure of ability to communicate in a range of healthcare environments by more than 30 regulatory bodies and councils in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.”
An OET reportedly differs from standard general or academic English language tests.
“OET measures the specific speaking, listening, reading and writing skills required to communicate effectively in a healthcare environment,” Ms Dowsett said.
“It includes activities such as listening roleplays to test these skills in depth.”
OET tests practitioners in 12 professions, including dentistry, dietetics, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, radiography, speech pathology and veterinary science.
ICTE-UQ will offer the test 10 times a year. Find out more information or register for OET.
