Thank you to everyone who gave me help with this query. There is a round-up
below:
We have a foreign SHO who would like to be able to listen to medical
terms to improve his listening skills. Does anyone know of suitable
materials eg tapes, videos or internet sites that could give him this
practice. Or does anyone know a cheap programme that will 'read' text in
a neutral accent.
*************************************
The easiest suggestion - but not if you are using a Trust network worried
about bandwidth and audio files (whether one word or one song or one
programme ) was this link
http://jws-edcv.wiley.com/college/bcs/redesign/student/resource/0,12264,_047
1366927_BKS_1026___40__,00.html
It is for Tortora's Anatomy and Physiology. As it happens I have this book
with a student companion CD which has a similar audio dictionary of many of
the words used, so my user can come and listen to it if he has trouble with
the internet site.
(I shall now go and check my other book CDs and see if they have anything
similar! Susanne)
************************
There are 3 medical dictionaries that may have audio on their CD ROMs on the
internet,
but 2 are out of print
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary: CD-ROM and Book ISBN 0803603371
and Medwords Dictionary (CD-ROM for Windows, Student Version) ISBN
0838563767
and the third is possibly being reprinted or a new edition is due:
Dorland's Electronic dictionary ISBN 0721694934 -
it is on Amazon.com but not amazon.co.uk
********************
Again, this will work outside a network:
I don't know if BBC might be useful - particularly Radio 4 website if you
draw a blank elsewhere www.bbc.co.uk/radio/
they broadcast a lot of medical/health programmes and while I'm not sure
about archive materials I think the most recent programme can be re-played
over the internet on demand
*****************************************
There are 2 software programs that are essentially designed for the blind
that read text. This is a reply from a colleague of mine who uses the
software. I have found the web addresses for you.
Jaws through Sight and Sound ;
http://www.sightandsound.co.uk/pages/JAWS_4.htm
HAL by Dolphin.
http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_jaws.asp
------------------
JAWS Screen Reading Software Sixty-Day Timed Evaluation
Supports Windows 95/98/Me/XP Home & Windows NT/2000/XP Professional £50
JAWS Screen Reading Software
Supports Windows 95/98/Me/XP Home £655
JAWS Screen Reading Software
Supports Windows 95/98/Me/XP Home & Windows NT/2000/XP Professional £890
****************
What you need is a "speech synthesizer" - software installed on your machine
which will "read aloud" what is on the screen. The organisation to advice
you is the RNIB. You can phone 0845 766 99 99 or email [log in to unmask]
I don't know what the p stands for (Peter / Pauline?) but he/she is the
expert for "access technology" quoted on their website.
****************
Some libraries will have a PLAB tape and booklet "English for the PLAB
Test" by Pastest, although it is now out of print.
********************
Thanks again
Susanne
Susanne Ellingham (HEX)
PGMC Library
Hexham General Hospital
HEXHAM
Northumberland NE46 1QJ
01434 655048
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