Job Discussion Forums

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I have a few questions for those in the IELTS examining "know":
* I am an active examiner (speaking and writing) in Russia (for IDP Australia/Student's International). How does one find a center which hires examiners in China?
* Are any of your examiner trainers? If so, how can one find a center which supports examiner trainers?
Basically, I am sniffing around Asia looking for possible places to relocate. China is one of them, and I've heard that IELTS examining is a good "in". Do you think IELTS examining work (in one of the larger cities: Guangzhou/Shanghai/Beijing/etc) is steady enough and the pay large enough to support a small family?
I appreciate your input.

[yaramaz]

I do IELTS in Shanghai, both speaking and writing. While the money is quite good, it's not easy to make it your main job as the BC doesn't do work permits for this. It's considered a part time job. Some people have gone full time but they're getting their visas elsewhere (i.e. they have connections). Most of us do it weekends and evenings.

There are about 4 centres in China- Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chongqing (correct me if I'm wrong). They advertise here on Dave's when hiring so keep your eyes open for that. They're always hiring- it's a huge market here.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Thanks yaramaz!
Actually, what I'd prefer only to do essay marking with the occasional speaking exam to keep me 'active'. Do you know if that's done? Or do you have to agree to do both in order to work for a center?
Here I am required to do both.

[yaramaz]

I mostly mark essays but the number varies from week to week, not enough on their own for a stable income- last week i only had 13 (13!) but this week I think we've got around 60. I'm not sure if we HAVE to do speaking but I do it about once a month at weekends, but I've gone months without doing it at all.

[sainthood]

I was looking into this only a few months ago (but I don't yet have the experience needed... soon though )

So, yes, Yaramaz was right about the 4 centres, although they will also examine in other capital cities (I was told about Nanchang, as that's currently the closest to me - for now!)

British Council are the people in charge of it all, and depending on where in China you are, you will get training etc either in Beijing or Guanzhou.

Yes, they are hiring... constantly! I got told that they're always after people, and more so for the larger areas (Shanghai, Beijing, etc...).

Pay? I was quoted about 3000RMB for "a day and a half" for spoken English. In those big cities, it was suggested you could be examining every weekend. So, 12000 (if that number was correct!) is what you'd expect... and since most full time teaching positions don't pay that, yeah, it should be enough (depends on your spending habits.. and accommodation specifics, etc).

Given all of the above, I personally wouldn't go into China relying on that alone! Good to have a job somewhere. And, as Yaramaz said, there is the visa issue!

Anyway, look up the British Council's China site! And go from there!!!

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Thanks for the info, saint!
I don't think I'd need training as I've been an IELTS examiner for three+ years. As a matter of fact, I'd like to one day become an examiner trainer; I suppose BC would be the place to look there, too.
I have heard of the good pay one can get doing IELTS there; I would certainly continue to examine if we relocate!
Best regards.

[yaramaz]

In Shanghai and the surrounding area (Ningbo, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Hefei) the speaking tests are at weekends and occasionally on a Thurs/Fri in HZ or SH. You'd probably get offered only 2 weekend sessions a month, unless you're willing to do holiday times (like summer break or the university winter break) or go to Hefei every time (about 3-4 hrs by train- not fun coming back Sunday night). Pay depends on how many candidates you interview but it's quite good. Scripts are whenever you can fit them in between Monday morning and mid-Wednesday.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

yaramaz, great info, appreciated!
Yeah, I'm all about that Monday-Wed. script marking. If I am offered the jobs I'm interviewing for (and accept) I would mostly be working evenings, so marking in mornings would be ideal.
You've given me much to think about. Gracias!

[dog backwards]

This link might give you a good idea of what is required to be an IELTS examiner:

www.britishcouncil.org/minimum_professional_requirements_for_ielts_examiners.doc

[JayCee86]

If you want to be an examiner at another centre you'll need to fill in a transfer form, presuming the new centre will want you - (which in China they will). You then have to sign a new "Invitation to Examine" with the new centre. The best people to ask for details would be your current test centre.

The four centres in China are, as previously stated, Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Writing marking only takes place in these four cities and speaking takes place in various locations.

Beijing supports ETs.

For Beijing, you're likely to get 3 weekend tests (which can be anywhere in northern and central China) a month and 3 lots of writing which can be anything from 15 to 50 papers with the occasional mid-week test.

The BC discourages people relying solely on them and makes a point of stating that it cannot do anything about visas and that's all down to you.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

JayCee86,
That's great info. Thanks a ton!

[Neilhrd]

I have the qualifications to become an IELTS examiner. I have been e mailed about applying several times. I also teach IELTS regularly and have done for several years. So why am I not an examiner? It is not the money. I could make far more than I do as a teacher and still work part time as well to supplement my salary and get a visa.

No. For me the issue is job satisfaction. I don't mean the way examiners are treated. On the South China circuit I believe that is generally good. The problem is the candidates. The fact is the standard of English in South China is pathetic. The vast majority of candidates are not ready for IELTS and average scores are just over 5 and falling.

I don't want to spend my weekends effectively failing candidates by denying them the scores they need to enter western universities and have often been led to expect by clueless schools. Nor do I want to read, and grade, rubbish written by candidates who have the general knowledge, life experience and argumentative ability of ten year olds and had no idea what the topic was talking about.

I see no prospect of the standard of candidates improvong in the near future and I can only advise anyone considering examining in China to examine their conscience and think carefully about the balance between money and job satisfaction.

[Adeem]

Examining rocks.

Mostly three weekends a month and 30=50 scripts to mark for writing each time - a pretty regular 15000 for very little sweat.


The Chongqing and southwest office, and examiners are good craic to work with, and you do script marking in Chengdu, not Chongqing if you are based there, as it has by far the largest tests in the region.

Miss it..........

[petebeatstreet]

I just finished a shift - 31 candidates (spoken). It's draining, but I'm 3500 yuan the better for it.

Not done for love or enjoyment, but for loot.