Job Discussion Forums

Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339

The minimum professional requirements to be an IELTS examiner, in terms of experience, is a minimum of 3 years teaching of at least 14 hours a week. I recently applied, with just over 2 years of 24 hours a week, and was told that I didn't have enough experience to be considered. However, 2 years @ 24 hours a week is more teaching hours than the minimum requirement of 3 years @ 14 hours a week.

Does anyone know if it's the actual years that they're focusing on or the hours? I wouldn't mind if I was knocked back for not being considered suitable, but when I believe I do have the required experience (including a year at a place that specialises in IELTS test prep) it's a bit galling, particularly as I know a couple of IELTS examiners with less than the three years experience - how they circumnavigated this requirement is anyone's guess.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:44 pm Post subject:

As far as I know, many of the details are subject to local Team Leaders' decisions. For example, some centres require a degree in anything - some seem to waive this. Really does all depend on which centre you want to be attached to, I think.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

They're either 1) poor at math, 2) sticklers to requirements (even those that don't seem logical), or 3) looking at your overall qualifications and feel something is lacking. Confused

Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I meet the qualification requirements (undergraduate degree + CELTA), and I would sincerely hope they don't reject applications on the basis of dodgy maths; so quite possibly, they're just sticklers for requirements, although it does seem a little bit odd that someone with less experience would be considered simply because that experience is stretched out over three years rather than less than three.

As regards the decisions, the literature I was sent stated that all approvals or rejections of applications are done independently of the test centre by an examiner trainer. I'm sure the centre must have some say on who they choose to recruit - maybe I'm reading it wrong.

Ah well, I guess I'll just have to wait until I get that three years under my belt.

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

The requirement is 3 years experience. The 14 hrs/week is to ensure there was sufficient teaching hours during those 3 years (i.e. not 3 years experience at 2 hrs/week). Having more hours over a shorter period is not considered equivalent. Also bear in mind that these are the minimums, they are usually looking for more.

However, if a centre is desperate they can apply to Cambridge for special dispensation to take people with only 2 years experience. It's a hassle for them, and Cambridge frown on it, so it's only done as a last resort.

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

I remember them being very fussy to me as well about the requirements and turning me down with 2 years 10 months until I sent an email query about the requirement. In the end they allowed it when I sent an email confirming my current work hours etc. so I managed to get on the course and passed first time.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:35 am Post subject:

A very similar thing happened to me about three months ago when I applied. I had about 2.5 years experience where I had averaged around 20 hours a week teaching. Eventually received an an e-mail back from them stating "thank you for your application, but unfortunately blah, blah" Sad

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I can understand them being strict about the requirements but the thing that gets me is that, at least here in Vietnam, they are, depending on the time of year, often desperate for examiners, but they don't make the training opportunities available. IDP and the British Council do courses maybe once a year each for a handful of potential examiners and that's it.

Anyway in January, I'll have met the three year requirement so I'll be applying again. If anyone has any good advice on where they do fairly regular training it would be great to hear from you. Anywhere in Southeast Asia is OK Cool

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Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339

Thanks everyone for your replies. I should have known that nothing in "this game" is ever back and white.

I've been advised by someone "in the know" to resubmit my application. I don't want to say too much, but my current place of work has close ties with a test centre and this may be to my benefit - then again, it may not. I'll have to wait and see.

It's the lack of consistency that bugs me though; I know someone who's an IELTS examiner and they have about 2.5 years experience - 1.5 of which is teaching kids only, which, according to the requirements, shouldn't count. I wonder how stringent they are with checking applicants' past work history?

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

As IELTS seems to be attracting a fair amount of interest, thought I'd copy this from a post I put on the China forum, mostly in relation to IELTS pay:

I worked for 10 years as an IELTS examiner in Hong Kong and "retired" from it last month. Obviously the rate of pay will be different in China, but the pay in HK is HK$200 per candidate ($120 for the speaking test, $80 for the written test). HK examiners sometimes do IELTS examining in Guangzhou and even get flown up to Shanghai, and get paid a bit less than the normal HK rate.

A standard IELTS session (about six hours) on a Saturday or Sunday (most IELTs work is at the w/e) involves 12 or 13 candidates, which translates to HK$2,400 to 2,600 (or US$310-335).

There is no take home work with IELTS - it all has to be done at the examining centre. It's boring, but pretty decent pay. Beats teaching English, IMO.

Some examiners in HK make their entire income from IELTS by doing sessions Saturday and Sunday and doing re-marking (ie. appeals and screw-ups) during the week, making up to around HK$35K a month. Most examiners do two or three sessions a month.

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

Thanks for that Perilla, very useful!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Perilla · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 792 Location: Hong Kong

it'snotmyfault · Joined: 14 May 2012 Posts: 527

A few people have said that places are often in need of examiners. Is that because there's so few people who fit the criteria? Or is it more because of the points Perilla mentioned, or a mixture of everything?

I imagine a lot of people would jump at the chance to get this kind of well paid part-time work (even if it screws your weekend up). I'd be applying for it if I had a bit more experience.