I am foreign educated nurse from Belarus. In order to get permission for NCLEX-RN exam--I had to pass TOEFL-ibt with total score 83 and sreaking part score--26.
I took TOEFL iBT 6 times and always my speaking score was 24,even though my total score is 92 (when 26 is required for -ONLY- for OK) For some reason--Toefl people believe that my speaking is 24--period...
One year later,I decided to get an approval for NCLEX exam from a different state. I pass the NCLEX-RN exam with 75 questions!
Now, I still can not work in Oklahoma because of my speaking score.....
I think it's a nearly universal experience that it's easier to learn to read and hear/understand a foreign language than it is to speak it. It's the speaking that's the hardest part, unfortunately, and English is a one of the trickiest languages on the planet, I've always heard. I've encountered plenty of people who have been able to complete study programs and pass exams in English (as a second/foreign language) who weren't able to speak English adequately to work successfully. I don't mean that as a criticism -- I can't imagine ever being able to speak another language, myself, well enough to be able to study or work in it, and have tremendous admiration for the folks who are able to do so! I just mean that the fact that you didn't pass the IELTS doesn't mean you were cheated or mistreated (which I think is probably what the other poster meant as well). Best wishes for the next time! :)
Specializes in intensive care, recovery, anesthetics.
Thanks for your "support"!!!
How could I finish Nursing refresher course from OU university with my " horrible" English?
How could I pass NCLEX?
I feel much better now......
I'm sorry that you feel that way, but I'm realistic. I can not tell you that your english is excellent, and all testing centers are wrong. I never heard you speaking and the results are telling different things, and I haven't said your english is horrible. But the fact remains that it's not enough to pass the tests, and there's only one way, practise.
I also think it's a rumour that IELTS is easier to pass than toefl, I just think some people are more comfortable to talk to a person directly rather than to a computer.
HI! Sorry to hear about this:angryfire you know if somebody is pleasant and smiling in your face really doesn't mean anything in this culture it is just being nice.. How long you have been living in US, what do you speak at home?
My advice would be just to keep trying ...don't let anyone to discourage you and sooner or later you WILL pass it.It is just a matter of time.
Specializes in ICU, Pediatric Pulmonology, Med-Surge..
HI! Sorry to hear about this:angryfire you know if somebody is pleasant and smiling in your face really doesn't mean anything in this culture it is just being nice.. How long you have been living in US, what do you speak at home?
My advice would be just to keep trying ...don't let anyone to discourage you and sooner or later you WILL pass it.It is just a matter of time.
Hi! I am glad to hear from you!!!
I REALLY NEED TO TALK TO YOU!!! It is about getting license in TX. I called TX bon today and I need to clarify some things. I don't now anyone from TX who went thought similar experience. I can not write to you private massages yet on this website.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
please do not post email addresses as per terms of service. Once you have 15 or more posts you can send pms or emails as long as the member has set up to accept them
I have supervised nurses who when to school in your country, their English oral skills were not strong, but in our agency it was a positive. We have a large patient population where the patient's shared the nurse's native tongue. This was a win win experience since the I knew the patients were getting excellent care. These nurses were wonderful nurses and I enjoyed working with them. Also many of the doctors also spoke the same language so I didn't have to worry about nurse - physician communication. I see by searching the internet there are several "Russian " ( isn't that the primary language you speak)?
It would be ideal if you could find you first nursing position in a similar community.
As I mentioned before, to improve your English skills, seek out an linguistic who can give you an honest assessment of your oral English skills.
Growing up my Dad was for St Petersburg Russia, he had a very thick accent, but if someone made a comment about his accent he was very insulted since he worked so so hard to get rid of it. I believe he thought in English not Russian so he was very very comfortable with English.
It has been my informal assessment, if one learns the language before Puberty they can speak the second tongue like a native, but if you learn after you have completed puberty is very very difficult to rid yourself of the language.
I guess my point is, you have proven you have the nursing skills, now you only have to get over this obstacle of speaking English and you can do it. Perhaps if you find some agencies in TX that several this community they can assist you. Best of Luck.
GREAT post ! I have been learning English since i was 6 years old but really had to use it after i moved here at 25 . And there is no way for me to get rid of the accent even if I do speak the language everyday at home.Some people have a very heavy accent and not much of a chance to use the language at home.
I do speak Russian and do work for mostly Russian speaking Home Health agency.Not because of the language barrier but because of the flexibility I have with my two little kids.
RN2009Belarus
43 Posts
Thanks for your "support"!!!
How could I finish Nursing refresher course from OU university with my " horrible" English?
How could I pass NCLEX?
I feel much better now......