| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
johnchina
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 816
|
 Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 2:46 am Post subject: Calling all IELTS examiners |
 |
|
| Here in China, many IELTS examiners are threatening to quit over new working conditions supposedly being imposed globally. Does anyone know what is happening in other countries with regard to this? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Sheikh Inal Ovar
Joined: 04 Dec 2005
Posts: 1208
Location: Melo Drama School
|
| Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 5:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Tell us what the new conditions are and we can tell you if they are being imposed upon us ...
There was nothing that I remember as being overly imposing ... but it could be that in an already imposing environment the IELTS conditions seemed small beer ... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
william wallace
Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 2869
Location: in between
|
| Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 4:06 am Post subject: Dear Johnny .... |
|
|
nothing to say
Last edited by william wallace on Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
johnchina
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 816
|
| Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 1:01 am Post subject: New IELTS exmainer conditions in China |
|
|
The new conditions being impoosed on examiners include
1. Indemnifying the BC against all tax claims. When you consider what has been going on in Russia recently, it sounds very dodgy.
2. Broad clauses such as examiners not being permitted to touch candidates. This is obviously designed to prevent sexual harassment, but is so braod as to include shaking hands.
3. The agreement can be changed by the BC at any time. Examiners signing the agreement must agree to this. In other words, examiners are being asked to sign a blank sheet.
Greetings to William Wallace! Hope to see you for a drink sometime soon! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chris_Crossley
Joined: 26 Jun 2004
Posts: 1797
Location: Still in the centre of Furnace City, PRC, after eight years!!!
|
| Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: New IELTS exmainer conditions in China |
|
|
| johnchina wrote: |
| The agreement can be changed by the BC at any time. Examiners signing the agreement must agree to this. In other words, examiners are being asked to sign a blank sheet. |
Now it sounds as if the BC is becoming as dodgy as Chinese cowboy-outfits. It will serve the BC right if examiners decide to "withdraw the invitation to examine" by themselves with all this PC (BC?) rubbish.
The next thing you know, IELTS examiners and examinees will have to speak to each other via "speaker phones" as in penitentiaries or other similar places of detention. Why not just do the speaking test by telephone and be done with it? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kaw
Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 302
Location: somewhere hot and sunny
|
| Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 7:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
There's nothing in the new global guidelines that are too drastic so really don't know what the problem is. Basically now as an examiner you'll be 'moderated' - writing scripts you've marked as well as oral exam cassettes will be sent for checking to whoever it is - basically an IELTS trainer - for moderating every other year. What's the problem with that? As 'professional teachers' we have our lessons observed anyway and this moderation process just ensures standardisation across the world.
I'm a B.C. teacher and myself and colleagues (IELTS examiners as well) are all happy and smiley  - maybe its just a Middle East thing though |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
william wallace
Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 2869
Location: in between
|
| Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 11:26 am Post subject: Dear John .... |
|
|
nil
Last edited by william wallace on Sat Nov 24, 2007 4:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mondrian
Joined: 20 Mar 2005
Posts: 658
Location: "was that beautiful coastal city in the NE of China"
|
| Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 11:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
| kaw wrote: |
There's nothing in the new global guidelines that are too drastic so really don't know what the problem is. Basically now as an examiner you'll be 'moderated' - writing scripts you've marked as well as oral exam cassettes will be sent for checking to whoever it is - basically an IELTS trainer - for moderating every other year. What's the problem with that? As 'professional teachers' we have our lessons observed anyway and this moderation process just ensures standardisation across the world.
I'm a B.C. teacher and myself and colleagues (IELTS examiners as well) are all happy and smiley :D - maybe its just a Middle East thing though |
I think you are missing the reasons for dissatisfaction. Being "moderated" is not an issue. The BC have just globally tightened up their system; which was already in place in China.
The "fuss" is about the new contract concerning payment of tax and the indemnification by the examiner to the BC if the latter is made liable for any penalties by the local tax authorities.
A second issue is the lack of a pay rise, in spite of the fact that there has been a considerable increase in the fee paid to take the examination (just a good business practice?)
A third issue concerns the marking of the writing scripts. You do it at the BC centre. This means that writing markers are based only in that centre's city. If you live in any other city you cant mark scripts. Nor can you do do any of the other lucrative IELTS tasks (such as second marking) because they too are only done in the BC centre.
A fourth issue (unique to China) is the prevention of any IELTS examiner from teaching IELTS. Even made worse by watching visiting IELTS staff from other countries being able to to do.
I think that a straw poll in China would result in most IELTS personnel being found to be anything but "happy and smiley".
Some like WW have walked away(?). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
william wallace
Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 2869
Location: in between
|
| Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 11:58 am Post subject: Dear Mondrian... |
|
|
nil
Last edited by william wallace on Sat Nov 24, 2007 4:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kaw
Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 302
Location: somewhere hot and sunny
|
| Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Being realistic � how many IELTS examiners (and EFL teachers) pay tax anyway?? It�s a normal part of a BC contract � the liable for taxation bit.
As for being paid � I have no idea how much you guys are paid but over here it�s not too bad - though I'd never turn down a payrise. 
It actually makes sense for the papers to be marked at a BC centre � imagine the chaos caused if people took them home and they were lost/stolen/ your house burnt down etc. It�s all a security issue. As for not being able to mark scripts if you live in another city � over here that�s rubbish � we get guys working in Saudi coming over to mark and get paid their travelling expenses.
Remember as well that it�s not just the BCs �baby� � it�s also the famous IDP in Australia (anyone know who they actually are?)
As for your comment about the pencils � with rubber on � yes � we also provide them with pencils but that�s because believe it or not people do turn up without them and it�s been observed that candidates prefer using pencil to pen anyway.
I�m not saying that everything is perfect � we used to get paid for training � however that was stopped last year � just as I had decided to do it � typical. But am sure that out of China things really aren�t as bad as you make out. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
johnchina
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 816
|
| Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 2:29 am Post subject: Check it out! |
|
|
Great to hear views from China and elsewhere. Check this out: http://dblackie.blogs.com/the_language_business/british_council/
As well as the points made by Mondrian, there is the way that the BC implements changes. No consultation whatsoever. Also, does not allowing examiners in mainland China to teach IELTS, whilst allowing those in Taiwan to do so, conflict with the one China policy? Remember that the BC in China is part of the British Embassy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
englishgibson
Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 4345
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:19 am Post subject: Calling all IELTS examiners |
|
|
Quite a thread, I must say.
Even though I only teach IELTS and prepare those "happy faces" for their exams in China, I've thought I'd read this.
It does really sound like some international franchises/franchisers that come to China to make a buck.
Hopeful peace to you examiners
and
cheers and beers  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
prof
Joined: 25 Jun 2004
Posts: 741
Location: Boston/China
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 2:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
With all due respect to those who took the time to post here,
The battle was over years ago.
The best examiners left.
It's rather like a nuclear war happened and now, as the radiation has simmered down to 'livable' levels the new migrants are asking a few questions.
Do lots of research. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
william wallace
Joined: 14 May 2003
Posts: 2869
Location: in between
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
nothing to say
Last edited by william wallace on Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:44 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| HOw do you become at IELTS examiner? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
