7 Things You Should Know About Your OET Interlocutor

7 Things You Should Know About Your OET Interlocutor

The Speaking Section is one of four components of the Occupational English Test. This OET component consists of the following tasks: 

A short warm-up interview about the test taker’s professional background.



Two role-plays that are based on regular workplace situations between a medical professional and a patient.

Since the speaking test is in the form of a one-to-one conversation, the interlocutor plays an important role during the exam. As a test taker enrolled in an OET review center Manila, it is vital to understand the role of your interlocutor in the speaking test. To guide you more, here are the essential things that you must know about your interlocutor.

7 Things You Should Know About Your OET Interlocutor If you are a student enrolled in an OET review center Manila, below are the seven things you should know about the OET interlocutor:

1. The OET interlocutor tells his/her name and accompanies you into the test room. Although the interlocutor may not be a native English speaker, he/she has a clear voice that you will find easy to comprehend. Don’t forget to write down your interlocutor’s name as you will use it as a reference during the role plays.

2. An OET interlocutor always plays the role of a patient, carer, or a family member of the patient. Keep in mind that interlocutors are not medical professionals so they will respond authentically just like a patient, carer, or family member talking to a healthcare professional.

3. In each role-play, you will receive an instruction card that will outline the situation and the tasks you need to perform. If you have any question, ask your OET interlocutor about it.

4. The OET interlocutor will tell you when to begin and stop the role-play. Since each role-play takes around five minutes to complete, your interlocutor will give you at least three minutes to prepare your responses. During your review classes in an OET Manila review center, find the best time management tips that you can apply while preparing your responses.

5. If the OET interlocutor doesn’t understand something you have said, he/she will ask you for clarification. For example, if you told the patient (OET interlocutor) about a specific medical treatment and your patient doesn’t know anything about it, you must elaborate the treatment properly. As a test taker attending review classes in OET Manila, study all the medical treatment so you will know how to explain them to your patient.

6. The OET interlocutor will record the role-plays. The recordings are sent to OET assessors for further evaluation. The interlocutor will not give you any indication about your performance at the end of the speaking test.

7. At the end of the exam, the interlocutor will guide you to the next part of the Occupational English Test.

Need more? Enroll now in JRooz OET Review Center (Manila, Makati, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio) and check out our blog for more study tips and strategies!