Job Discussion Forums

[abigolblackman]

I examine in Beijing and there's plenty of work to be had, but I was just wondering what the amount of available work was across the rest of China, mainly the other three main testing centers of Shanghai, Ghaungzhou, and Congqing.

Basically in Beijing if you want to examine, you will. Is this the same in the other areas, or is there less work to be had?

Thanks.

[Big Worm]

Would love to get in on this. They still have the same requirements? CELTA + 3 (or possibly one) year post cert experience? Taking a month out for a CELTA isn't really possible for many potential employees.


Sorry, not useful for your question.

[vikeologist]

Abigol - Do you mean in Beijing if you want to examine every weekend, you're guaranteed work. I don't think that's the situation in the East (Shanghai) region, though it would depend which city you live in, how far you're prepared to travel and whether you're on the priority list having made yourself available during the summer peak period.

There certainly is a lot of work though.

Big Worm - It doesn't have to be a CELTA, but you do need a year's post- certificate experience.

The info is here. http://www.britishcouncil.org/china-aboutus-jobvacancy.htm#examiner

Look, taking a certificate just to get IELTS work wouldn't be a good idea. There's no guarantee you'd be accepted onto the training, or be able to pass the training and get certified. After all, the CELTA level certificate is the minimum requirement. (I think most examiners have Diplomas / Masters in Linguistics or similar solid CVs).

If you intend to make a long-term career in TEFL, and get the higher paid jobs, then a recognised TEFL certificate is part of that, and you'll probably need to get a Diploma level or Masters at some point. Some TEFL work in China is quite well paid, but you need the skills, qualifications and experience. Sometimes you need to invest in training to get a higher long term return. That's just the way it is.

[abigolblackman]

@vikeologist - When you say a lot of work do you mean IELTS related examining such as spoken and written exams? Or IELTS related test prep?

@anyone - Does anyone do any examining around Ghuangzhou or Congqing?

[vikeologist]

[quote="abigolblackman"]@vikeologist - When you say a lot of work do you mean IELTS related examining such as spoken and written exams? Or IELTS related test prep?

quote]

I mean speaking examining. As for writing, I think there's probably a bit if you're in Shanghai, but examiners from other cities tend to do it once every 3 months to keep their accreditation.

I expect there's plenty of IELTS prep work to be had as well, but IELTS teachers I know tend to have to work in more than one place, so I'm not sure it would be such a great life. Hard to generalise though.

[MisterButtkins]

Is it really that hard to be an IELTS examiner? I had heard that pretty much everyone who meets the requirements can do it. I was, in fact, planning on taking a CELTA this winter in hopes of working as an examiner in a few years.

[vikeologist]

I'm in no way an expert on examining, so please treat my comments as just my personal thoughts and observations. Also I'm only a Speaking examiner. I don't know that much about Writing examining yet. The thread would definitely benefit from more knowledgeable contributions.

I'm not sure that everybody who is qualified to be an examiner can do it. (Perhaps I would say that, to make myself feel special). There's a teacher at my Uni who would make a great examiner once he meets the requirements. We judged a speaking competition together, and he was able to make very consistent judgements and ask really good follow up questions. On the other hand I've encountered teachers who I think could never do it, though they may be ok at teaching.

The British Council don't say how many people pass the training first time, but in every training course I know of including mine, only about half passed.

You can retake the certification if you don't pass first time.

Also I'm not sure everybody who meets the requirements is invited to training. You have an interview on the phone before you're invited.

Anyway, I hope you do indeed do the CELTA, Mr B. It's a great qualification, and there's no doubt that if you're planning to stay in China forever (as it would be three and a half years before you'd have the post-CELTA experience) examining is definitely a good potential source of income. Also it gives you a lot of useful contacts that can really help you find out about better jobs.

I'd suggest that the CELTA and IELTS examining are just two elements of professional development and the potential for ESL teachers in China to become much better teachers, and much better rewarded. Also, I really enjoy the work.

Bear in mind though that though examiners can do the job anywhere in the world, there's much less work outside of China.