Become a Speaking Examiner

Work With Us As An Assessment Specialist

Our international reputation for excellence, reliability and fairness in language assessment depends on the high quality and professionalism of our examiners. Thousands of people work for us as examiners, both in Japan and in countries around the world. We invite experienced teaching professionals to join our assessment specialist team. Speaking examining offers teachers an excellent opportunity for professional development while gaining valuable insights into testing and assessment. During training sessions, teachers also have the chance to meet other teachers, offer and receive peer feedback, and explore Cambridge University Press textbooks, along with other teaching resources and materials.

Becoming a Speaking Examiner

If you have a language teaching qualification and have relevant teaching experience, there may be opportunities for you to work with us as an examiner. This page gives you more information about what examiners do and what is required from them, and the necessary induction and training.

Key responsibilities

1. Be available year-round to conduct speaking examinations.
2. Carry out speaking exams professionally, adhering to the procedures and standards outlined in the training modules.
3. Regularly check the shared work calendar and your registered email in order to respond appropriately to the requests for Speaking Examiners.
4. Participate in annual recertification to maintain your qualification.

Speaking Examiners are expected to conduct exams at venues within a 100km radius of their home address. Assignments typically occur during morning and afternoon sessions on weekends. While sessions are scheduled year-round, the busiest periods are May/June and November/December. Please do not apply unless you are reasonably available to undertake assignments during the weekends. Examiners will not be required to conduct more than two sessions per day.

Please note:

1. 1. Speaking Examiners are required to attend annual recertification to remain eligible. This typically involves a half-day, face-to-face meeting. If more than two years have passed since an examiner last completed certification or conducted examinations for the relevant exams, re-training will be necessary.
   2. Examiners will also be monitored during a live session shortly after training and will receive feedback from their Team Leader (TL). Failure to meet the standards outlined in the training modules may result in a change of status of availability, requiring further training to regain eligibility.

What are the requirements?

We welcome your application to become an examiner if you have:

• education to first degree level or equivalent*
• a recognised language teaching qualification*
• proof of substantial, relevant, recent teaching experience equivalent to at least 1800 hours

*An applicant may be exempt either from the formal teaching qualification or from the first degree/equivalent requirement (but not both) if they can provide evidence of considerable relevant teaching experience supported by positive references.

Salary and benefits

Remuneration is based on the length of the exam session(s). For a single session lasting up to 2 hours, the rate is ¥10,000 per session. For a single session lasting up to 3 hours, the rate is ¥15,000 per session. For assignments involving two sessions or requiring significant travel to regional areas, a fixed daily rate of ¥20,000–¥30,000 per day will be offered. The exact rate will be confirmed in writing when the work request is issued.

Transport expenses will be reimbursed. Please submit an invoice for your work and travel expenses after each session. Taxes will be withheld from your payment in accordance with legal requirements.

The selection process

1. Expression of Interest: Submit your expression of interest along with the required documents to the email address below.
2. Initial Review: After reviewing applications, qualified candidates will be invited to attend a short interview via Zoom.
3. Employment and Reference Checks: Our centre will conduct employment checks as required by law and verify references.
4. Training: Successful interviewees will be invited to complete induction, training, and certification modules. A Team Leader (TL) will assess candidates during training to ensure they meet the professional standards required of a Speaking Examiner.
5. Certification Requirements: Candidates must achieve a “satisfactory” rating across all training and certification modules and sign the necessary declaration forms.
6. Nomination and Approval: Our centre will submit nominations to Cambridge Assessment English for final approval. Cambridge retains discretion to accept or reject candidates.
7. Examiner ID: Upon approval, candidates will receive a Speaking Examiner ID and can begin live examining.

Apply to Become a Speaking Examiner

Email us with the following required documents:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (English)
• Copy of graduation certificate(s) showing degree(s) awarded.
• Copy of teaching certificate(s) showing qualifications awarded.
• Calculation of approximate number of teaching hours within the last three years.

Note: All documents will be considered private and will not be used for any purposes other than possible future recruitment.

Deadline: On-going