As we all know, OET candidates work in the healthcare sector,
a vital industry that serves people from diverse linguistic and cultural
backgrounds. If your objective in taking this test is to end up working in an English-speaking
country, it’s vital you feel comfortable with the kind of language your future
patients will be using. Nevertheless, for non-native speakers of English, the
idiomatic language used by patients and co-workers can be baffling and present significant
challenges.
I suppose we should be clear about what we mean when by “idiomatic language”? Basically, it’s all of those expressions or phrases that pepper our speech and have a non-literal meaning. These are often regional or specific to a particular sub- culture, and can include metaphors, slang, colloquialisms, and local references. Native speakers use idiomatic expressions to convey meaning, add emphasis/colour/humour when they’re talking. Non-natives - even non-locals - find this confusing and incomprehensible, leading to communication breakdowns and potential misinterpretations.
Idioms used in the healthcare sector can be difficult to understand because they are not typically taught in a formal language education setting. Most English language courses focus on grammar, vocabulary, and standard forms of expression, but idiomatic language is often excluded or only briefly mentioned. As a result, learners of English may not have been exposed to these expressions or had sufficient practice in using them in real-life situations.
Another thing about idiomatic language that baffles newcomers to the English language is that these expressions often have multiple meanings, making them hard to interpret accurately. For example, the idiom "feeling under the weather" means to feel unwell or poorly, but a non-native speaker may take it literally and believe that it has something to do with cloud cover and precipitation. Similarly, the phrase "right as rain" means to be healthy, in good shape, or in good condition, but a non-native speaker may not understand the metaphor and instead interpret it as some bizarre reference to drizzle.
Because idiomatic language can be culturally specific, non-native speakers may not be familiar with the appropriate context behind certain expressions. For example, the phrase "in the pink" is a common idiom with a similar meaning to ‘right as rain’ (i.e.: healthy and full of vitality). A non-native will understand the words but not the meaning [in + the + pink = ??]. Incidentally, “in the pink” is one of hundreds of idioms that originated with William Shakespeare. The term is used in Romeo and Juliette, though in that play it had nothing to do with health (“I am the pinke of curtesie"): go figure!
Whether in the context of the OET or real life, the challenges presented by idiomatic language can have significant consequences. Misunderstandings or misinterpretations can lead to incorrect diagnoses, inappropriate treatment plans, or even adverse outcome to the patients themselves. It can have an impact on patient satisfaction and trust in healthcare providers, as they may feel that their concerns or questions have not been adequately addressed.
To address these challenges, PREP-it for OET has prepared dozens of activities on idiomatic language, all of which are specific to the healthcare context, in the Skill Building section of the app. Familiarising yourself with these terms and phrases will better equip you to take on Listening Part A and the Speaking roleplays. Another thing you can try if you have already moved to an English-speaking country, is making a note of some to the terminology you come across. And don’t be shy about asking people what they mean when they use a phrase you didn’t understand.
I suppose we should be clear about what we mean when by “idiomatic language”? Basically, it’s all of those expressions or phrases that pepper our speech and have a non-literal meaning. These are often regional or specific to a particular sub- culture, and can include metaphors, slang, colloquialisms, and local references. Native speakers use idiomatic expressions to convey meaning, add emphasis/colour/humour when they’re talking. Non-natives - even non-locals - find this confusing and incomprehensible, leading to communication breakdowns and potential misinterpretations.
Idioms used in the healthcare sector can be difficult to understand because they are not typically taught in a formal language education setting. Most English language courses focus on grammar, vocabulary, and standard forms of expression, but idiomatic language is often excluded or only briefly mentioned. As a result, learners of English may not have been exposed to these expressions or had sufficient practice in using them in real-life situations.
Another thing about idiomatic language that baffles newcomers to the English language is that these expressions often have multiple meanings, making them hard to interpret accurately. For example, the idiom "feeling under the weather" means to feel unwell or poorly, but a non-native speaker may take it literally and believe that it has something to do with cloud cover and precipitation. Similarly, the phrase "right as rain" means to be healthy, in good shape, or in good condition, but a non-native speaker may not understand the metaphor and instead interpret it as some bizarre reference to drizzle.
Because idiomatic language can be culturally specific, non-native speakers may not be familiar with the appropriate context behind certain expressions. For example, the phrase "in the pink" is a common idiom with a similar meaning to ‘right as rain’ (i.e.: healthy and full of vitality). A non-native will understand the words but not the meaning [in + the + pink = ??]. Incidentally, “in the pink” is one of hundreds of idioms that originated with William Shakespeare. The term is used in Romeo and Juliette, though in that play it had nothing to do with health (“I am the pinke of curtesie"): go figure!
Whether in the context of the OET or real life, the challenges presented by idiomatic language can have significant consequences. Misunderstandings or misinterpretations can lead to incorrect diagnoses, inappropriate treatment plans, or even adverse outcome to the patients themselves. It can have an impact on patient satisfaction and trust in healthcare providers, as they may feel that their concerns or questions have not been adequately addressed.
To address these challenges, PREP-it for OET has prepared dozens of activities on idiomatic language, all of which are specific to the healthcare context, in the Skill Building section of the app. Familiarising yourself with these terms and phrases will better equip you to take on Listening Part A and the Speaking roleplays. Another thing you can try if you have already moved to an English-speaking country, is making a note of some to the terminology you come across. And don’t be shy about asking people what they mean when they use a phrase you didn’t understand.
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