THE OET FORUM 2009

The fifth annual OET Forum, held at the Langham Hotel, Southbank ON 04.09.2009 engaged over 75 attendees who listened to presentations and took part in discussion focused on effective communication in the workplace. Speakers included educators, practitioners, researchers from the University of Melbourne and representatives of government departments and key professional bodies. For a copy of the full program click here

The Forum was opened and attendees welcomed by Ms Denise O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Adult Education (CAE) owner and operator of the OET Centre & its world class Occupational English Test (OET). Ms O’Brien was followed by Mr Josh McConnell, Manager of the OET Centre who provided attendees with updates from the OET Centre which included projected 2009 candidate numbers, OET dates for 2010 and the announcement of the new OET Reading Sub-test being introduced March 2010.

OET Forum 2009 presenters included:

Professor Tim McNamara
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Discipline Chair
School of Languages & Linguistics
The University of Melbourne
Our keynote speaker was Professor Tim McNamara who is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Melbourne, where he taught Applied Linguistics since 1987. Tim’s language testing research has focused on performance assessment, theories of validity, the use of Rasch models, and the social and political meaning of language tests. He is the author of Language Testing and co-author (with Carsten Roever) of Language Testing: The Social Dimension. Tim developed the OET in the 1980s and has worked on the development of the Speaking sub-test of TOEFL iBT; he was also one of the original developers of IELTS. Tim is a frequent speaker at international conferences and has served on the board of the many journals.
Click here for presentation

Professor Elizabeth Manias
Associate Head (Research), School of Nursing and Social Work, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences,
Equity and Staff Development Coordinator
The University of Melbourne

Professor Elizabeth Manias discussed how health professionals communicate about the management of medications. Professor Elizabeth Manias works at The University of Melbourne in the School of Health Sciences, and is a registered pharmacist and nurse. Her research endeavours include: patient safety, medication management, interpersonal and organisational communication, and consumer participation. Specifically, her work considers different individuals’ perspectives and the complexities of the dynamic environment in which communication takes place. Click here for presentation

Dr. Robyn Woodward-Kron
Senior Lecturer, Coordinator
Clinical Communication & Learning Development
Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne

After completing her PhD, Robyn Woodward-Kron taught introductory linguistics and discourse analysis in Canada. She has extensive ESL teaching experience in workplace and academic settings, has worked as a consultant for a number of universities developing English for Academic Purposes materials, and is co-author of the prize winning CD-ROM Academic writing: A language based approach.

Dr. Mary Stevens
Project Officer, Medical Education Unit
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne

Dr Mary Stevens has a background in phonetics and phonology, with a PhD on sound change in Tuscan Italian. She has worked on phonetic phenomena in a range of less well-known languages, and in the field of language policy (beginners’ language provision at Australian universities). She joined the Medical Education Unit at the University of Melbourne in January 2009, as project officer on the project Clinical Communication Feedback Guidelines for International Medical Graduates.

Click here for their presentation which looks at Linguists working with clinicians and medical educators: Adding value or speaking in tongues?

Dr. Carsten Roever
School of Languages and Linguistics
The University of Melbourne

Dr Carsten Roever is the Convenor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Melbourne. He holds a Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. His research interests include language testing, interlanguage pragmatics and cross cultural communication. He has authored several book chapters, journal articles, and books. Click here for Dr Roever's presentation highlighting second language skills attrition.
Dr. Sanjay Sharma
Medical Clinical Educator
Ballarat Base Hospital

Dr. Sharma provided attendees with insight into effective workplace communication - the IMG's perspective. Dr Sanjay Sharma, an overseas trained doctor, works at Ballarat Base Hospital as Medical Clinical Educator.
Ms. Elizabeth Carter
Acting Director
Independent Skilled Migration Policy
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)

Ms Elizabeth Carter is the Acting Director, Independent Skilled Migration Policy at the Department of Immigration & Citizenship. She is a member of the OET Stakeholder Group and provided attendees with an update from DIAC and Skilled Migration. Click here for presentation
Ms. Karen Cook
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC)

Ms Karen Cook is the CEO of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council and provided a full update from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC). Click here for presentation
Mr. Dean Raven
Principal Policy Advisor
Medical Workforce
Department of Human Services

Mr Dean Raven is the Principal Policy Advisor, Medical Workforce at the Department of Human Services and addressed language & cultural communication needs of international medical graduates in Victoria. Click here for presentation
Ms. Jan Hamilton
Lecturer, Clinical Communication and Learning Development, Medical Education Unit
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences The University of Melbourne

Ms Jan Hamilton has worked for a number of years in higher education and TAFE as a lecturer in Communications, coordinator of English language and workplace training programmes and teacher of English language tertiary preparation courses for international students. She spent five years lecturing in Hong Kong where she co-wrote and published curriculum materials for academic and professional English language learning. Jan has worked as a researcher and consultant on projects relating to the on-line assessment, assessor training and teachers' attitudes towards the assessment process. She is an accredited assessor for a number of Australian and international English tests, including IELTS, the OET and the University of Melbourne Diagnostic English Language Assessment (DELA). Ms Hamilton provided a glimpse into preparing tertiary health sciences students for the Australian workforce. Click here for presentation
Associate Professor Cathie Elder
Director, Language Testing Research Centre
School of Languages and Linguistics
The University of Melbourne

Associate Professor Cathie Elder is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics and Director of the Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. She is also co-editor of the journal Language Testing. Cathie has published widely in the field of language testing and has a particular interest in the challenges posed by the assessment of language proficiency for specific professional and academic purposes. Her presentation focused on the ARC Linkage research project which involves the OET Centre. Click here for presentation
Dr. Luke Harding & Dr. Ute Knoch
Language Testing Research Centre
The University of Melbourne

Dr Luke Harding is a research fellow in the Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. His research interests are in language testing – specifically listening assessment, as well as accent and intelligibility, and language attitudes.

Dr Ute Knoch is a research fellow in the Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. Her research interests are in the areas of writing assessment, rater training, assessing languages for specific purposes and second language writing.

Their presentation focused on the OET's new version Reading Sub-test. For further information please visit our home page and follows the links under 'Latest News'.

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The OET Forum 2008: Focus on the Candidate

At the fourth annual OET Forum, held on May 9th at the Langham Hotel, Southbank, over 75 attendees listened to presentations and took part in discussions related to various aspects of the experience of an OET candidate.

The Forum was opened and attendees welcomed by Ms Beverley Honig, member of the CAE Board and Chair of the OET Development Committee. Ms Honig set the scene for the day with reference to the health workforce, migration trends and the work of the OET Centre, before listing the day’s speakers and their topics. Ms Ileana Guizzo of the Australian Dental Council then spoke about how the ADC uses the OET in its registration process.

The keynote speaker, Professor Tim McNamara of the School of Languages and Linguistics, University of Melbourne, addressed the topic The Social Dimensions of Assessment. He gave stunning examples of the social boundaries historically created by language testing from biblical times to the modern day and concluded by examining the characteristics of valid tests and the social issues they address. Download Professor McNamara's presentation.

Ms Fel Bisiani, Manager of the OET Centre, then interviewed two international medical graduates, one successfully established in his career here, the other a recent successful OET candidate seeking employment. They spoke of work conditions in their home countries and their expectations and experience in moving to Australia.

Dr Eleanor Flynn of the Medical Education Unit, University of Melbourne then gave her perspective on this issue and on the current situation for IMGs. Ms Elizabeth Carter, Senior Legal Officer of the Skilled Migration National Office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship gave an update on General Skilled Migration (GSM) targets and changes, addressed onshore and offshore visa requirements, English language requirements and affirmed that the OET is viewed by DIAC as evidence of eligibility for GSM applications.

Ms Margaret Proctor, Director of the Professional and International Recognition Unit, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations spoke about conditions governing eligibility for financial support for overseas trained health professionals. Download Ms Proctor's presentation.

The OET Assessment Manager, John Pill, discussed the overlaps between language skills, professional skills and communication skills and encouraged participants to consider what a language proficiency test should focus on. Download Mr Pill's presentation.

Ms Karen Cook, CEO of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council addressed the balancing act faced in the competing issues of Australia’s need for competent health professionals, the health workforce requirements of other countries and the rights of Australian consumers. Download Ms Cook's presentation.

The final session provided the opportunity for attendees to discuss nominated key issues raised by speakers during the day before giving small group feedback. The Forum concluded over networking drinks, giving attendees the opportunity to relax, mingle and discuss the day’s proceedings with others. It was clear from event feedback that participants found the day informative and stimulating.
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The OET Forum 2007: Present & Future

The third annual OET Forum was held on April 27^th at the Novotel Melbourne on Collins. Over 60 attendees listened to six presentations on various aspects of the OET.

The Forum was opened and attendees welcomed by Ms Beverley Honig, member of the CAE Board and Chair of the OET Strategy Group. Ms Honig introduced the Forum theme, The OET: Present & Future, referring to changes she had already witnessed, including an increased number of test administrations, greater interest and trust from Regulatory Authorities, the new OET brand and the OET Centre’s move to a new, larger office. In conclusion she briefly listed the day’s speakers and their topics.

First to present was the Assessment Manager, Mr John Pill. His presentation set a clear foundation for presentations later in the day. Download John's presentation.

The next presenter was Professor Lesleyanne Hawthorne, the Associate Dean (Internationa) and Director of the Faculty International Unit. Drawing on a wide range of research conducted for and by government departments and regulatory authorities, Lesleyanne outlined the nature of Australia’s evolving medical workforce and the latest Australian migration developments. Download Professor Hawthorne's Presentation.

The third presenter of the day was Ms Fel Bisiani, the Manager of the OET Centre. She presented on the preliminary findings of a study done by Dr. Cathie Elder of the Language Testing Research Centre on OET-IELTS benchmarking. Fel explained how the research study came about, noting that the Regulatory Authorities themselves decide what level of result in each test they require in order for applicants to be accepted for the process of clinical registration - generally B grades on all four components of the OET and an overall average of 7 across these components on the IELTS. As the majority of health authorities accept both tests, the question of equivalence has arisen. We regret that as this study is as yet unpublished, we cannot provide the presentation for download.

The first presenter after lunch was Ms Margaret Proctor, Director of the Professional and International Recognition Unit, Department of Education, Science and Training. Margaret’s presentation covered three topics: First, she explained the role of AEI-NOOSR and how it fits in Government; then she outlined Australia’s method of Qualification Recognition; and finally, she described AEI-NOOSR’s role in professional mobility. Margaret concluded by saying that comparing different education systems requires flexibility and that AEI-NOOSR will continue to support professional mobility with programs and tools. She then invited visitors to the AEI-NOOSR website. Download Margaret's presentation.

Dr Carsten Roever, the Acting Director of the Language Testing Research Centre.Carsten’s presentation generated great interest as he demonstrated how the LTRC helps validate the OET through the development of materials for the Listening and Reading sub-tests and the analysis of all test results. Download Dr Roever's presentation.

Ms Sally Ling, Business Development Manager of the OET Centre, made the final presentation of the day, and fittingly, she presented on the Future Direction of the OET Centre. Download Sally's presentation.

The Forum concluded over networking drinks, giving attendees the opportunity to relax, mingle and discuss the day’s proceedings with others. The Forum’s list of varied and specialised speakers had provided them with plenty to discuss over a glass of wine.