9 great tips for learning English at home

  • February 01, 2024
 

As an overseas doctor, preparing for any English Language Test, whether you have chosen IELTS or OET, requires learning a huge amount.

IMGs have told us that one of the most effective ways to improve their general level of English, and help them on their journey to improving their test scores, is to study at home. So, we have put together a handy list of IMG Connect tips for studying for the English Language Tests at home, enjoy! 

1. Start devouring podcasts

If you don’t already listen to podcasts, you should! They are great! You can access these at home, or on your commute to work. On your laptop, or even better, on your phone. If you have an Apple Iphone, simply open the podcast app already installed. 

If you have Android, then try Stitcher, RadioPublic, Podbean or Pocket Casts. 

Here are a few of the IMG Connect Team favourites:

  • In our time, science
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage
  • Today in Focus
  • Happy Place
  • Woman’s Hour
  • Ted Talks Health
  • Dan Snow’s History Hit 
  • Thinking Allowed
  • BBC Inside Science
  • The Guardian’s Science Hour
  • Ted Talks Science and Medicine 
  • Discovery

2. Speak to native English speakers

There really can be no substitute for regularly speaking to native English speakers. In most cities across the world there will be a community of English speakers, seek them out online or go say hello! 

The IMG team are always happy to have a chat with you, so if you can’t find anyone, then give us a ring! 

3. Speak to everyone!

We know that sometimes in this modern world, people would rather turn to their computers, but to learn English is to share English! Whether a colleague at work, a fellow student, a friend or family member, speaking English about a range of topics, medical and general, will help you to practice what you learn. Be sure to apply your recent learning of vocabulary and grammar.

It is widely known that students who speak and listen to people every day, learn quicker. 

4. Get down with the kids… and watch YouTube! 

There are millions of videos on YouTube, with thousands of great channels and shows to subscribe to. And of course, they are mostly all free! But don’t get stuck watching cute cats and dogs, stick to the task at hand – learning English!  

IELTS and OET have their own official channels, full of useful resources. 

Instead of randomly watching topics, think about your exams and search YouTube for suitable resources. 

At IMG Connect we have found a few great suggestions to search for: 

  • OET
    • Medical lectures
    • Nobel Lectures 
    • Oxford University lectures – medical 
    • Cambridge University medical lectures 
  • IELTS
    • Parliamentary debates, UK
    • BBC, Sky, Channel four News 
    • National geographic
    • Ted Talks

But don’t take our word for it, search for your own topics of interest. 

5. Binge on your favourite movies (in English)

What could be better than sitting back after a day at work and watching a movie? Well, watching a movie and learning English at the same time! The rule here is to not just sit back and relax, you have to do some work too, put the subtitles on, and follow the dialogue. If you don’t understand, then pause, rewind and watch again. 

Try to choose the right type of films, with lots of dialogue, so apologies to all those blockbuster fans, you may have to watch something else. Documentaries are excellent, with topics for everyone! 

Listen to the way that words are said, how the actors or narrators stress the sounds. And copy it!

Even better, take a note of all new vocabulary, and when the film is finished, find out what they mean. 

6. An article a day gets the doctor to the UK!

This doesn’t have to be test related, you can choose something that you really are interested in. It can’t all be boring! 

Blogs, news outlets, organisations – you choose. 

Reading an article a day, short or long, can dramatically improve your confidence. 

7. Tweet, tweet, twooo! 

Twitter isn’t just about a tweet, but there are plenty fantastic articles and up-to-date topics that are shared daily. 

Find someone you are interested in and follow their articles. 

Many news groups share excellent articles daily. 

But remember don’t just read the headline! 

8. Write as much as you can, to anyone you can.

Practicing writing English in different contexts will help you to cement your learning and get you into the habit of writing to a high level of structure and grammar. 

You could write a blog online for your colleagues, this is free on WordPress. It is your blog, so you choose the topic! 

Of course, you should practice writing the essays for the tests, but if you know anyone that reads English why not also write to them…in English of course!

9. Consider working with an accredited tutor

As an International Brand dedicated to helping international doctors to register with the GMC and find work in the NHS - we have lots of partnerships in place with trusted companies in many areas. One of these key areas is English Language Testing and IMG Connect works closely with a company called Specialist Language Courses. You can take a look at their website here.

Specialist Language courses work very professionally and are the UK's leading provider of online courses and tutoring. They are also one of the few accredited providers of OET and have provided consultation and guidance to the GMC on English language testing. 

Success rates are 70% + for those who sign for their tutoring and you can receive a discount if introduced by IMG Connect.

Register with IMG Connect to request your discount on English Language Courses or get in touch with one of our IMG Consultants to discuss.


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Relevant Jobs

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A Welsh Health Board are looking to appoint an experienced consultant histopathologist to work in a joint clinical and educational supervisor to four innovative CESR Fellows, all FRCPath Histopathology holders. 

This is a unique opportunity to work in a developing initiative that will bring immense social good to the local the people of Wales. 

Short / mid / long-term ambitions for this role.

Short-term, there is the opportunity to work a close group of four international doctors, with specialist qualifications in histopathology including FRCPath. You\'ll have the opportunity to shape the careers of hungry pathologists ready to absorb all the knowledge and experience from an experienced NHS colleague like yourself.

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Long-term, the potential is enormous. As part of ‘A Regional Collaborative for Health’ or ARCH a regional hub for South and West Wales is being built in Swansea, to house a 30-35 consultant lead service for histopathology alone. Fully digitalised regional services for half the Welsh landmass would be provided via one central and digitalised hub. 

Life in the area

It\'s a beautiful life with Wales offering beaches, beautiful forest, lakes and mountains all available to you in your free-time. It\'s a low cost of living and a a bit of a dream for the right person. We can chat more about that over our call. 
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IMG Connect are representing a Southern-based molecular oncology facility with a fully equipped laboratory, integrated process platforms, an in-house bioinformatics team, and a huge genetic database for precise and updated reporting.

The UK Lab is based in Surrey, and the facility is ISO 15189 accredited and ISO 27001 certified.

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An excellent opportunity to join the dynamic team at an esteemed organization recognized for its excellence by the CQC. This is an opportune moment to become part of the Acute Medicine and Medicine Specialties Teams. With a strong history of achievements, they are committed to delivering exceptional patient-centered care. They seek a passionate and driven Acute and General Physicians to contribute to their mission of providing top-tier medical care across various clinical settings. This is a high performing and supportive department for overseas doctors new to the NHS, or UK-based doctors looking to further careers in the UK.

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The NHS Foundation Trust stands as one of the nation\'s largest integrated healthcare organizations, delivering both hospital and community services to a populace exceeding 650,000 individuals. Renowned for their ambition and innovation, they boast a skilled workforce comprising over 7,000 dedicated colleagues. Operating across two acute sites for hospital services and encompassing centers and community hospitals in six towns for planned care, they extend their services even to patients\' residences.

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The Acute & General Medicine Department boasts modern and well-equipped facilities, designed to optimize patient care and comfort. They have a 30-bedded Acute Medical Assessment Unit. On average, their department handles a significant number of acute and general medicine cases each year, reflecting the trust and confidence placed in their services by the community they serve. They prioritize patient safety, quality of care, and efficient service delivery, ensuring that each patient receives personalized attention and tailored treatment plans to facilitate their recovery and well-being.

The unit is adequately staffed and the working shifts are designed to ensure more doctors are present during the busy period of the day i.e. late evenings. They address the busy winter months by arranging extra locum cover during this busy period. In addition to the acute medicine registrar(s), there is a middle grade doctor, 1 IMT doctor and 4 FY1 doctors with staggered shifts throughout the day. In addition, there will be an on call registrar and 2 on call IMT doctors with staggered shifts. The night team comprises of one registrar, two FY2/IMT and one FY1 supported by an outreach nurse on most nights. 

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The North East of the UK offers a diverse mix of rural and urban settings, providing doctors with a range of living options. Residents can explore stunning coastal areas like Northumberland\'s beaches or venture inland to scenic national parks such as the North Pennines. The region is home to respected schools and universities, including Newcastle University. Transportation links are robust, with efficient road and rail networks connecting residents to major cities like Newcastle, Durham, and Sunderland, as well as international airports. Housing options range from quaint cottages in picturesque villages to modern apartments in vibrant city centers, catering to various lifestyles.

Career Development & Opportunities Available
 


ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:

  • Experience of working in Acute & General Medicine

Non-EEA Candidates:

  • MRCP
  • Experience of working in Acute & General Medicine

UK based applicants

  • Experience of working in Acute & General Medicine
£93,666-£126,281

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JOB REQUIREMENTS:

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LENGTH OF CONTRACT:
12 - 24 months fixed term (subject to be renewed)

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Specialty & Special Interests:
Clinical Oncology with primary interest in Gynaecological and Upper GI cancers

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A unique opportunity awaits Histopathologists, especially Consultants, to join a dynamic team of 35 professionals at the Histopathology Department within a prestigious NHS Foundation Trust. Engaged in diverse diagnostic tasks, the department encourages research and teaching, offering a platform for career growth. This role is ideal for overseas Histopathologists interested in the UK NHS, with a focus on those specializing in the EEA or experienced IMGs aiming to fulfill CESR requirements.

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ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?

EEA Candidates:

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Non-EEA Candidates:

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UK based applicants

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