Free OET Speaking practice role plays

Candidate card (read this yourself)

You are a registered nurse on a surgical ward.

It is day two after abdominal surgery for your patient. They are due to start gentle breathing exercises and short walks today, as prescribed by the surgical team, but they have refused twice this morning.

• Find out why the patient is reluctant to do the exercises today
• Acknowledge their pain and any anxiety about moving
• Explain, in plain language, why early movement and breathing exercises matter after this type of surgery
• Respond to at least one specific worry the patient raises
• Agree on a concrete plan the patient is willing to try in the next hour

Interlocutor brief (for a study partner, or to plan the other side)

You are the patient, two days after abdominal surgery.

• You're in real discomfort and moving feels frightening, not just unpleasant
• Start reluctant and impatient because you have already said no twice
• Partway through, mention that a family member once had complications after "moving too soon" following a similar surgery, and you're scared of the same thing happening
• If the nurse acknowledges your pain and explains clearly why movement helps rather than harms, soften and become willing to try something small
• You do not need to fully agree unless the explanation actually addresses your specific fear

Candidate card (read this yourself)

You are a doctor in an outpatient clinic.

Your patient was diagnosed with high blood pressure at their last visit. Blood tests and later readings confirm it is persistent, and today's plan is to start a daily medication. The patient looked uncomfortable when you raised this at the end of the last appointment.

• Ask what, specifically, is worrying them about starting the medication
• Correct at least one misconception in clear, respectful language
• Explain why treatment was recommended and invite questions about benefits and possible side effects
• Discuss the proposed treatment and review plan while respecting the patient's right to decide
• Check the patient's understanding before the conversation ends

Interlocutor brief (for a study partner, or to plan the other side)

You are a patient of about 45 who is otherwise healthy and rarely sees doctors.

• You spent time online after the last appointment and found alarming personal stories about side effects
• You're worried this means being "on medication forever" and that it says something bad about your health
• Start hesitant and slightly defensive — you'd rather try to fix this with diet and exercise alone
• If the doctor listens to your specific concern first, rather than immediately reciting facts at you, become more open to a trial plan
• You're willing to agree to a plan only if it feels like a decision you were part of, not one handed to you

Candidate card (read this yourself)

You are a nurse preparing a patient for discharge.

The patient is going home today after treatment. They have received written instructions, but seem distracted and have said very little about how they will manage at home.

• Ask what worries the patient about going home
• Find out what support they have and what they understand about the written plan
• Explain the next steps in plain language without assuming the patient has understood
• Invite questions and check understanding in the patient's own words
• Agree on whom the patient can contact if they need help with the plan

Interlocutor brief (for a study partner, or to plan the other side)

You are the patient being discharged.

• You are relieved to go home but feel overwhelmed by the instructions
• You live alone and do not want to appear incapable
• If asked gently, admit that you are unsure which instruction matters most
• Do not say you understand until the nurse checks what you would actually do at home

Candidate card (read this yourself)

You are a doctor reviewing a patient after initial tests.

The patient still has symptoms. The first test results have not identified a clear cause. They appear frustrated and are worried their concerns are being dismissed.

• Invite the patient to explain which symptom or possibility worries them most
• Acknowledge the uncertainty without claiming that normal initial results explain everything
• Explain what the current results do and do not show in plain language
• Discuss the agreed plan for the next visit and invite questions
• Check the patient understands what to do if their condition changes

Interlocutor brief (for a study partner, or to plan the other side)

You are the patient returning for results.

• You were hoping for a definite answer and feel disappointed
• You worry that the doctor thinks the symptoms are imaginary
• You become more open to a plan for the next visit if the doctor acknowledges your concern and explains the limits of the results
• Ask what you should do if things change before the next appointment

Candidate card (read this yourself)

You are a nurse on a respiratory ward.

A patient is going home after treatment for an asthma flare-up. The clinical team has given them a written discharge plan. They say they understand it, but seem worried about managing symptoms at home alone.

• Ask what worries the patient most about going home
• Find out which parts of the written plan they understand and which remain unclear
• Discuss the plan in plain English without adding treatment instructions of your own
• Invite the patient to explain what they would do if they became worried at home, using the plan supplied by the team
• Agree on one question to clarify with the care team before discharge

Interlocutor brief (for a study partner, or to plan the other side)

You are the patient preparing to go home.

• You live alone and are relieved to leave hospital, but you fear becoming breathless at night
• You have a written plan, yet you are embarrassed to admit that parts of it are confusing
• At first say that everything is fine; disclose your worry if the nurse asks an open question and gives you time
• Do not accept a generic reassurance; ask how you will know which part of the written plan to follow
• You are willing to review the plan with the nurse and ask the care team one remaining question

Candidate card (read this yourself)

You are a doctor in a general practice clinic.

Your patient has recently been told they have type 2 diabetes. The care team has already discussed an initial management plan and next appointment, but the patient has asked to speak again because they feel overwhelmed.

• Ask what the patient understood from the first conversation
• Explore the concern behind their question before explaining the plan
• Respond respectfully to any self-blame without assigning fault
• Explain the purpose of the agreed next steps in everyday language without inventing treatment details
• Check what the patient wants clarified before the next appointment

Interlocutor brief (for a study partner, or to plan the other side)

You are the patient returning to discuss a new diagnosis.

• You are worried that the diagnosis means you did something wrong
• Several people have given you information, and you cannot remember what to focus on first
• Start with a short question; reveal the self-blame only if the doctor makes room for it
• Become more engaged if the doctor explains one point at a time and checks your understanding
• You want to leave knowing which question to ask at your next appointment