Communication and Language Module

FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions.
Click on a question to be taken to the relevant part of this module.

1. I do speak English--it's just that the English in my home country is a bit different from the English here. Why don’t people understand me?
   
   
2. What are the main things I can do to improve my English?
   


3. Will I always talk with an accent? Do I need to get rid of it?
   


4. I know all the medical and scientific terminology but I have trouble finding the right words to use for everyday, conversational English.
   How can I learn about this?
   


5. Sometimes I feel like one patient understands me while another doesn't, even though I'm saying the same thing. Why is this?
   


6. I am saying all the right words but patients still don’t understand me properly. How can I make them understand me better?
   


7. Some Australians can’t even speak their own language properly!
   What can I do about that?
   


8. I sometimes talk quietly to patients, but this is a mark of respect-- we should lower our voices when we talk about important, serious, or very private things. But my patients don’t always respond to this. They sometimes just get annoyed, or they fail to understand what I’m saying. Why is this?
   


9. There are some aspects of Australian English that I find difficult. How do I improve?