We spoke to an OET Speaking interlocutor and asked them what they look for and what they listen to when conducting an OET Speaking role play with candidates. They gave us some outstanding tips that we wanted to share with you. This post looks inside the mind of an OET Speaking interlocutor to better understand how they conduct your OET speaking role play and how that might impact your speaking performance.
The OET Speaking section takes about 20 minutes in total. It consists of two role-play scenarios lasting approximately 5 minutes, plus time for instructions and a warm-up conversation. The entire session is conducted one-on-one with an interlocutor who plays the role of a patient, caregiver, or colleague, depending on your healthcare profession. Although the interlocutor will not score your responses—that is done by two expert OET assessors—your rapport with the interlocutor can impact your performance.
Please watch this video to get an overview of the OET Speaking test and what you might expect from your interaction with the speaking interlocutor.
Before we review the tips and insights OET Speaking Role Play, it is worth noting that interlocutors and assessors are not looking for robotic responses or memorised answers. They want to hear how well you can communicate in a genuine health care related scenario and conversation.
To help you excel, here are 10 key things the OET interlocutor told us they look for in interviews with OET candidates and how you can use these tips to boost your score.
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 1: Talk as You Would to a Friend or a Talk-Show Host
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 2: Show Empathy and Reassurance
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 3: Be Spontaneous. Speak as You Think. Think in English
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 4: Be Confident. Smile. Believe in Your Ability
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 5: Open Your Mouth Wide. Don’t Mumble
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 6: Use Natural, Everyday Conversational Language
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 7: Relax. It’s a Friendly, Supportive Conversation
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 8: Give Extended Answers. Always Say ‘Because…’
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 9: The Good Sign? If the Interlocutor Asks additional questions
- OET Speaking Role Play tip 10: Steer the Conversation If Needed
- Final Thoughts
- Next Steps
OET Speaking Role Play tip 1: Talk as You Would to a Friend or a Talk-Show Host
The OET Speaking test is not an interrogation or a health sciences test. The interlocutor told us that they want to hear how naturally and fluently you can communicate. They gave us this helpful piece of advice to pass along to you. When you are in your session, imagine that you are talking to a friend over coffee or answering questions in a friendly interview on a talk show. Keep your tone relaxed and conversational, but professional. Avoid using overly formal and technical language and instead, focus on speaking as naturally as possible.
For example, this is a poor response to a patient’s question:
Patient: Doctor, I’ve been having this terrible headache for the past few days. What could be the cause?
Overly Technical Response:
“Based on your reported symptomatology, it is plausible that you are experiencing cephalalgia, which can be attributed to a myriad of etiological factors, including but not limited to vascular anomalies, musculoskeletal tension, or potential neuropathic origins.
A much better response, according to our interlocutor is:
Patient: Doctor, I’ve been having this terrible headache for the past few days. What could be the cause?
Natural Response:
“I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling this way. Headaches can have many causes, such as stress, tension, dehydration, or even lack of sleep. In some cases, they can be linked to underlying issues like migraines or high blood pressure.
OET Speaking Role Play tip 2: Show Empathy and Reassurance
The OET interlocutor shared a few thoughts about the use of empathetic and reassuring language. Their valuable insight is that showing empathy is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding and awareness of the scenario. Even though empathy is not a standalone scoring criteria, it is used as an indicator of your ability to communicate effectively with patients and leaves a positive impression on interlocutors and assessors.
A good example of a simple way to incorporate empathy in your role-play is to use phrases like “I understand this must be concerning for you” or “You’re in good hands” to offer comfort.
To know more about this topic, feel free to read more here:
OET Speaking Role Play tip 3: Be Spontaneous. Speak as You Think. Think in English
The interlocutor told us that a common mistake many candidates make occurs when they try to mentally translate from their native language into English before speaking. This often results in awkward pauses and unnatural phrasing. Instead, practice thinking in English so that your responses flow naturally.
For instance, if you are asked, “What exercise is best to help reduce my high blood pressure?” The interlocutor told us that, in their opinion, you should not pause to translate each word in your head. Just jump in and start speaking: “The best types of exercises are moderate-intensity activities like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or even dancing. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week.”
OET Speaking Role Play tip 4: Be Confident. Smile. Believe in Your Ability
The next insight the interlocutor shared with us is the importance of projecting confidence in your interview. They told us that when candidates hesitate too much or second-guess themselves, it negatively affects their fluency. They also told us that you should not overly worry about making minor grammatical errors, speaking with confidence can make a great impression.
Smiling and using natural body language can also help you relax and feel more comfortable. This also helps make your interlocutor feel more comfortable in their interactions with you. Giving the interlocutor and assessors a good impression will have a positive impact on your score.
OET Speaking Role Play tip 5: Open Your Mouth Wide. Don’t Mumble
Help your interlocutor give you a good score! We were told by them that they genuinely want you to do well. The advice they gave is to make sure your pronunciation is clear and that you are easy to hear and understand. Open your mouth, articulate your words, and speak with clarity.
A common issue among test-takers is mumbling due to nervousness. To avoid this, practice speaking in front of a mirror or recording yourself. If your face feels slightly tired after the test, it’s a good sign—you’ve been enunciating properly! If you can do this with a smile, even better!
OET Speaking Role Play tip 6: Use Natural, Everyday Conversational Language
The interlocutor gave us another great piece of advice relating to vocabulary. They told us that when candidates use overly complex or ‘big’ words, often candidates project a stiffness that does not seem as natural. Their advice was don’t use vocabulary that you wouldn’t normally use in daily conversation.
Instead of saying, “It is imperative that one engages in physical activities to maintain optimal health,” simply say, “It’s really important to exercise to stay healthy.” The goal is to sound natural, not like a dictionary. Using everyday words will also help to improve your fluency.
OET Speaking Role Play tip 7: Relax. It’s a Friendly, Supportive Conversation
Many test-takers feel anxious about making mistakes, but the OET Speaking test is not about perfection—it’s about communication.
A good piece of advice the interlocutor told us is that you should go into your role-play knowing that it is not the interlocutor’s job to trick you. Their job is to listen to how well you can express your ideas.
Treat your interview as a normal conversation rather than a formal exam.
OET Speaking Role Play tip 8: Give Extended Answers. Always Say ‘Because…’
You probably already know that short, one-word or one-sentence answers won’t help your score. Always expand on your responses.
In our conversation with the interlocutor, they shared a simple trick: Always say ‘because’ a lot!!! If you make a statement and then add ‘because,’ it prompts you to add further explanation and details to your responses.
For example, in explaining ways to reduce high blood pressure, you might say to a patient “Walking is great for managing high blood pressure because it improves circulation and helps the heart work more efficiently. I suggest a regular walking routine of 30 minutes 5 times a week”.
OET Speaking Role Play tip 9: The Good Sign? If the Interlocutor Asks additional questions
OET interlocutors do not interrupt you to give hints or help you during the Speaking test. Their role is to play the part of a patient, caregiver, or colleague and respond naturally within the role-play. They will not guide your answers, correct mistakes, or give clues about what to say next.
BUT, they may ask follow-up questions or prompt you with additional questions if it fits the scenario. For example, if you give a very short answer, they might say, “Can you explain that a bit more?” to encourage you to expand your response. The interlocutor told us that these additional questions and prompts aren’t to correct or trick you, they mean that you are on the right track but need to ‘extend’ your answers a bit more (see 8 above).
For example, if you are speaking to a patient with diabetes, you might say: “I understand that being diagnosed with diabetes can be overwhelming, but with the right lifestyle changes, it can be well managed.”
Then, if the interlocutor thinks your answer is too short, they may prompt you with an additional question as the patient: “Can you tell me more about the type of diet I should follow?”
OET Speaking Role Play free sample answer:
“Of course! A balanced diet is crucial. You should focus on eating more whole grains, lean proteins, and plenty of vegetables while limiting sugary and processed foods. Eating smaller, regular meals can also help keep your blood sugar levels stable.
OET Speaking Role Play tip 10: Steer the Conversation If Needed
Another helpful insight for the OET Speaking Role play is that if you’re asked about something you’re not familiar with, feel free to steer the conversation toward something related that you can talk about.
For example, if the patient asks: “Doctor, I’ve been experiencing back pain lately. I’ve heard yoga can help. What do you think?”
If you don’t know much about yoga, your response might be: “Yoga can be helpful for some people because it improves flexibility and posture. However, if you’re not used to it, certain poses might strain your back. Instead, gentle stretching, core-strengthening exercises, and maintaining good posture throughout the day can be just as effective. For example, exercises like swimming or walking can strengthen your back without putting too much pressure on it.
Final Thoughts
The OET Speaking test is not about memorizing answers or sounding like a textbook—it’s about communicating naturally and effectively. By focusing on confidence, fluency, spontaneity, and engaging conversation, you can impress the interlocutor and assessors and score higher. So, relax, be yourself, and enjoy the conversation. The more comfortable and natural you sound, the better your results will be!
Our OET Youtube channel has heaps of FREE useful tips and strategies you can implement on test day, see an example below!
Next Steps
So, what should you do now? Go to e2language.com and practise!
To improve your OET Speaking score, we recommend that you practice all the OET Speaking practice activities, assessments, and mock tests on the E2 website. Even though the OET Speaking test might seem challenging initially, if you use our methods, tips & strategies, you will master all Parts of the OET Speaking test. Start a free trial of our OET Test Preparation course and improve your Speaking and other English skills with the help of our experts.
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