How Nurses Can Use ChatGPT and TTS Tools to Practice OET Listening

How Nurses Can Use ChatGPT and TTS Tools to Practice OET Listening

The OET Listening sub-test is a key part of the exam for nurses hoping to work abroad. It assesses your ability to understand clinical conversations, patient interviews, and professional discussions—skills that are essential for safe and effective nursing practice in English-speaking countries.

But one of the biggest challenges in preparing for OET Listening is finding enough realistic and relevant audio material to practice with.

That’s where ChatGPT + TTS (Text-to-Speech) tools come in.

ChatGPT can be used to generate custom, nurse-specific listening scripts, such as:

• A patient describing symptoms to a nurse

• A doctor giving post-operative instructions

• A ward handover report between colleagues

Once you have a script, you can use free TTS tools (like Google Text-to-Speech, NaturalReader, or Play.ht) to convert the text into spoken audio. This lets you build your own listening materials—tailored to your level and your learning goals.

Whether you’re working on:

• Shadowing (repeating after native speech)

• Dictation (writing what you hear)

• Note-taking and keyword recognition

You can turn AI-generated scripts into an unlimited listening lab, available anytime, anywhere.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• How to prompt ChatGPT to create listening scripts for nurses

• How to choose and use free TTS tools to turn scripts into audio

• How to use these resources to improve listening comprehension, medical vocabulary, and real-time processing

Let’s turn your screen into a speaking partner—and your study time into targeted OET Listening practice for real-world healthcare settings.

1. Understanding the OET Listening Test: What Nurses Need to Prepare

The OET Listening sub-test is designed to reflect real-world healthcare communication. For nurses, it’s not just about catching words—it’s about understanding meaning, identifying key information, and responding to situations similar to those in a clinical setting.

Let’s break down what the test looks like and what you need to focus on when preparing.

Overview of the Listening Sub-Test

• Total time: ~40 minutes

• Number of parts: 3 (Parts A, B, and C)

• Total questions: 42

• Audio played only once

Part A – Consultation Extracts (Patient Interaction)

• Format: Two dialogues between a patient and a healthcare professional

• Task: Complete the notes based on what you hear (short answers)

• Focus: Listening for specific details, symptoms, advice, and history

What nurses must train: Note-taking, spelling, recognizing clinical terms (e.g., “discomfort,” “prescription”)

Part B – Short Workplace Extracts

• Format: Six short recordings (~1 minute each) from workplace settings (handover, briefing, consultation)

• Task: Multiple-choice questions (choose the correct answer from 3 options)

• Focus: Identifying the purpose, tone, or key message

What nurses must train: Interpreting meaning quickly, filtering irrelevant noise, focusing on context

️ Part C – Professional Discussions or Presentations

• Format: Two longer recordings (~5 minutes each), often involving interviews with healthcare professionals

• Task: Multiple-choice questions (8 per recording)

• Focus: Understanding attitude, implication, or overall meaning

What nurses must train: Following arguments, recognizing opinions, grasping nuance or indirect communication

✅ Key Listening Skills for Nurses

• Medical vocabulary recognition

• Active listening and predicting

• Audio memory and focus

• Understanding accents and natural speech rhythm

2. How to Use ChatGPT to Generate OET Listening Scripts for Nurses

One of the best features of ChatGPT is its ability to instantly generate customized, realistic healthcare dialogues—perfect for OET Listening practice. As a nurse, you can create scripts that simulate consultations, handovers, and professional interviews. These texts can then be read aloud using TTS tools to become effective listening material.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

Step 1: Choose a Scenario Relevant to Nursing

Select a situation you’re likely to face in Part A, B, or C of the Listening sub-test. Examples:

• A nurse assessing a patient with chest pain (Part A)

• A nurse receiving a shift handover (Part B)

• A healthcare professional discussing infection control policies (Part C)

Step 2: Write a Clear Prompt for ChatGPT

Here are sample prompts for each part:

Part A (Consultation):

“Write a realistic dialogue between a nurse and a patient complaining of back pain. Include symptom description, questions from the nurse, and treatment advice. Keep it around 250 words.”

Part B (Workplace Extract):

“Write a 60-second nurse handover about a post-surgical patient. Include vitals, medication schedule, and concerns to monitor.”

Part C (Professional Talk):

“Create a short professional interview where a nurse educator explains the importance of fall prevention in hospitals. Include at least one opinion and some data.”

Step 3: Review and Adapt the Script

Once ChatGPT generates the script:

• Check for clarity and realism

• Replace or simplify any complex terms if needed

• Optionally, ask ChatGPT to make the vocabulary more beginner-friendly or advanced

Bonus Prompt:

“Rewrite the same script in simpler English.”
“Add three multiple-choice questions based on the script.”
“Highlight the keywords a nurse should listen for.”

3. How to Use TTS Tools to Turn Scripts into Audio

Once you’ve generated your OET-style listening script using ChatGPT, the next step is to bring it to life with TTS (Text-to-Speech) tools. TTS software reads written text aloud in a natural-sounding voice—ideal for creating custom listening materials without needing a human speaker.

Here’s how to turn your script into audio and make the most of it:

Step 1: Choose a TTS Tool

There are several free and paid TTS options. Popular choices include:

• Google Text-to-Speech (Android, integrated in many apps)

• NaturalReader (free web-based version available)

• Play.ht (allows realistic voices and downloads)

• TTSReader (simple browser-based playback)

• ElevenLabs (more advanced, highly natural speech)

Choose one that suits your device and budget. Most allow you to copy-paste text and instantly hear playback.

Step 2: Paste the ChatGPT Script and Adjust Settings

• Select a clear, professional voice (male or female)

• Set the speaking speed slightly slower than native for early practice

• If possible, download the MP3 file for offline listening or repetition

Step 3: Listen and Practice

Use your audio for:

• Shadowing: Repeat the audio line by line to improve rhythm and pronunciation

• Dictation: Write down what you hear to improve accuracy and spelling

• Gap-filling: Ask ChatGPT to create fill-in-the-blank exercises from the script

• Note-taking: Practice extracting key information under timed conditions

Bonus Tip: Loop Difficult Segments

If a certain part is challenging, isolate that section and replay it until you master it. This type of targeted repetition builds listening fluency quickly.

4. Daily Practice Techniques: Shadowing, Dictation, and Note-Taking

Now that you have your ChatGPT-generated scripts and TTS audio, the next step is to build listening fluency and confidence through consistent practice. The most effective way to do this is by combining three proven techniques:

️ 1. Shadowing

Shadowing means repeating the audio immediately after hearing it, almost in real time. This helps improve:

• Pronunciation

• Rhythm and natural speech flow

• Listening + speaking coordination

How to practice:

1. Listen to 1–2 sentences from your TTS audio

2. Pause and repeat aloud, imitating the speaker’s tone and speed

3. Use a mirror or recording app to self-correct

Start slow, then increase speed over time.

2. Dictation

Dictation builds your accuracy and attention to detail. You’ll learn to focus on spelling, grammar, and word choice—essential for OET Listening Part A.

How to practice:

1. Play 1–2 sentences from the audio

2. Write exactly what you hear

3. Compare your version with the script

4. Ask ChatGPT:

   “Can you explain why this grammar is used here?”
   “What’s the difference between ‘have been’ and ‘had been’?”

️ 3. Note-Taking Under Time Pressure

In OET, you must identify key points quickly while listening. Practicing this daily builds real-world test stamina.

How to practice:

1. Play an entire 60–90 second clip

2. Write down only keywords or short notes

3. Afterward, summarize what you heard in 2–3 sentences

4. Use ChatGPT to check your summary or provide a model answer

✅ 5. Final Tips for Long-Term Listening Improvement with AI Tools

Improving your OET Listening skills is not a one-time effort—it’s a process. With the help of ChatGPT and TTS tools, you can build a smart, flexible routine that adapts to your schedule and learning style.

Here are 5 final tips to help you stay consistent and make steady progress:

1. Set a Weekly Listening Schedule

Even just 15–20 minutes a day, 3–5 days per week, can make a huge difference. Rotate your focus:

• Monday: Script generation and TTS

• Tuesday: Shadowing

• Wednesday: Dictation

• Thursday: Note-taking

• Friday: Review and error analysis

Consistency > intensity.

2. Focus on One Skill at a Time

Don’t try to shadow, take notes, and write dictation all in one session. Instead, focus deeply on one skill per day.
This builds confidence and mastery, not confusion.

3. Track What You Learn

Use a simple notebook, Google Doc, or spreadsheet to track:

• Vocabulary or phrases you struggled with

• Grammar points or expressions ChatGPT corrected

• Audio segments that were difficult (and why)

Reflection turns practice into real improvement.

4. Reuse Good Scripts and Audio

If a script works well, save and replay it multiple times:

• Shadow it again one week later

• Use it for dictation from memory

• Ask ChatGPT to write comprehension questions from it

This reinforces learning and saves time.

5. Remember Your Goal: Confidence in Real Conversations

Ultimately, OET Listening isn’t just about test scores—it’s about being able to understand real people in real clinical settings. AI tools help you simulate that environment safely and repeatedly, until your ears and brain are ready.

Used wisely, ChatGPT + TTS = your personal listening lab.
Build the habit, enjoy the process, and get one step closer to OET success—and your global nursing career.

OET For Nurses