IELTS Examiners
IELTS examiners are qualified, experienced English language
specialists. Writing and Speaking assessments are carried out by
trained and certificated examiners. The examiners work to clearly
defined criteria and are subject to extensive and detailed quality
control procedures.
It is the responsibility of each IELTS test centre to recruit
and train a pool of examiners. Centres recruit on a needs basis and
nominate examiners who meet the following requirements:
- - an undergraduate degree or qualification(s) that can be
demonstrated to be equivalent to an undergraduate degree;
- a TEFL/TESOL qualification from a recognised institution
- - have substantial relevant teaching experience. The majority
of this teaching experience must relate to adult students (16 years
and over)
The applications of the nominated examiners must be
approved by a qualified examiner trainer. After approval the
examiner undergoes face-to-face training, conducted by an
accredited IELTS trainer and is required to do the certification
assessment.
Interested in becoming an IELTS examiner?
If you are interested in becoming an IELTS examiner and you meet
the requirements outlined above, please
contact your local test centre.
The Examiner System
Recruitment
The assessment of professional
attributes and interpersonal skills of examiner applicants occurs
at 3 stages in the recruitment process: application form,
interview, and training. All examiners must have the experience
outlined above.
Induction
Shortlisted applicants are
interviewed and, if successful, complete an induction
process.
Training
Applicants who successfully complete
induction proceed to training, which is carried out by an examiner
trainer and lasts four days.
Certification
They then complete a
certification set to demonstrate that they can apply the assessment
criteria accurately and reliably are certificated as examiners.
Year 1: Monitoring
Examiners are monitored at least once every two years. New
examiners (and those who have not recently worked as IELTS
examiners) are monitored three times in their first year.
Monitoring is carried out by examiner trainers. All examiners
receive written feedback on their rating and also on the delivery
of the Speaking test. They may be required to take corrective
action if any issues are raised about their performance.
Year 2: Standardisation and
recertification
Standardisation sessions are held every two years and are led by
an examiner trainer. Standardisation is completed at the centre and
takes place as close as possible to the two-yearly recertification
of the examiner. After the standardisation session, the examiners
then complete a new certification set to demonstrate they can apply
the assessment criteria accurately.
