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by
Humaira S,
27 September, 2024
Read 229 times
Medicine is a thoroughly competitive field of study, and unfortunately it doesn’t get much easier once you gain entrance into an Australian medical school. The options for specialisation and further study are endless. However, going right back to the start, how does one go about gaining entry into an Australian medical school, especially for those who come from an English as a Second Language (ESL) background?
Firstly, identifying who comes under this category is essential; ESL students are students whose primary language is not English. Whilst they may be born in Australia or reside within a primarily English speaking country, they are still expected to have the same level of English writing, speaking and listening skills as non-ESL students. This is quite challenging when preparing for an exam as technical as the GAMSAT, which places emphasis on advanced English comprehension but also the nuances and intricacies of the language itself. These are aspects of the language which come with integration and a deep understanding of the culture.
However, there ways to improve these skills in preparation for GAMSAT Section 1 and GAMSAT® Section 2, so don’t despair! We discuss these tips further below:
An idiom is a common word or phrase with a culturally understood meaning that differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest. For example, an English speaker would understand that the commonly touted phrase "kick the bucket" is a euphemism for "to die" – although it may also mean to actually kick a bucket!
Coming into the challenging GAMSAT® Section 1 equipped with this idiomatic knowledge will prove particularly useful. For example, the humanities section of the GAMSAT exam often comes with various cartoons, poems, or passages related to politics, world events, or popular fiction. They rely heavily on a deep understanding of English and how you may use certain phrases to evoke a certain emotion, indicate satire, or convey sadness. Sufficient understanding of idiomatic English will ensure there are no accidental misreadings or misinterpretations of the texts and images presented in this section.
Furthermore, it indicates a solid understanding of expression and context, allowing you to craft more elaborate and nuanced essays; exactly what markers are looking for in GAMSAT Section 2!
There are a number of methods that can help improve your understanding of idiomatic English. These methods can prove beneficial not just for ESL students, but also native English speakers.
- Reading: Try reading Australian books and articles. One example is the Betoota Advocate which is a satirical daily website which writes about lesser known topics in a humorous and comical way. Also attempt to find well-written books which interest you. All these will help provide food for thought in GAMSAT® Section 2. Examples may include introductory classics such as George Orwell’s 1984, or The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Dedicating time to reading every day will greatly improve your grasp of the language and show you first-hand examples of what good writing looks like.
- Speaking: Try speaking in English as much as possible with native speakers in order to improve your fluency and comfort using the language. You will be surprised how many turns of phrase they unknowingly drop in daily conversation, which you can soak up and use yourself! It also provides a wonderful example for you to go straight to the source. Try asking them about any phrases you don’t understand and how they use them in daily conversation. You can also gain a better understanding of Australian culture by simply listening to how and where they grew up, or tidbits about their childhood or lives.
Although you will most likely be sitting the GAMSAT® in Australia, you are not limited to writing solely about Australian events or views; there is a lot of wiggle room within GAMSAT essay writing to bring up varied and idiosyncratic opinions. It may therefore play in your favour to go off the beaten track and consider points of view you may not usually subscribe to, taking into account different cultures and backgrounds and how many things can influence your opinions.
The primary focus of GAMSAT® Section 2 is thinking about open-ended topics in different ways. Use your diverse background to your advantage, and bring your unique experiences and viewpoints to the table!
Whilst it will be difficult given the enormous amount of time students need to dedicate to all of GAMSAT® Section 1, GAMSAT® Section 2 and GAMSAT Section 3, practice truly is the best way to refine and strengthen your writing skills for GAMSAT® Section 2.
Try using our free quote generator which provides you with an endless supply of prompts to ponder, and under timed or untimed conditions attempt to create nuanced essays on the fly. This will be some of the best preparation you could do for GAMSAT® Section 2, which asks you to do exactly what the actual GAMSAT® wants you to do, and under a time crunch. To do so will also accustom you to thinking more deeply about the prompts you receive, hopefully giving you some extra ideas which if you are lucky, you may even be able to utilise on your exam day!
As you can see, even though you may feel slightly disadvantaged compared to other students because you come from an ESL background, there are ways to work around it. All the best with your GAMSAT preparation. It is a difficult and arduous road ahead, but very much worth it when you make it to the end.
As a final tip, don’t forget to check out our GAMSAT practice test, which gives you access to some GAMSAT-style practice questions. As mentioned, the GAMSAT exam is all about practice, so you can never go wrong with getting some more practice in through our MCQs and practice tests!
