Speaking Examiners
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.
Please read this information carefully. If you meet the required criteria, you are invited to search for upcoming training sessions.
Key responsibilities
- Be available year-round to conduct speaking examinations.
- Carry out speaking exams professionally, adhering to the procedures and standards outlined in the training modules.
- Regularly check the shared work calendar and your registered email in order to respond appropriately to the requests for Speaking Examiners.
- 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.
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
- Expression of Interest: Submit your expression of interest along with the required documents to the email address below.
- Initial Review: After reviewing applications, qualified candidates will be invited to attend a short interview via Zoom.
- Employment and Reference Checks: Our centre will conduct employment checks as required by law and verify references.
- 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.
- Certification Requirements: Candidates must achieve a “satisfactory” rating across all training and certification modules and sign the necessary declaration forms.
- Nomination and Approval: Our centre will submit nominations to Cambridge Assessment English for final approval. Cambridge retains discretion to accept or reject candidates.
- Examiner ID: Upon approval, candidates will receive a Speaking Examiner ID and can begin live examining.
Please Note:
- 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.
- 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.
Upcoming training dates
Before you can do any live examining, you will be invited to complete Induction, Training, and Certification of Procedure and Assessment modules. These modules are delivered through a combination of online self-access learning and a face-to-face session.
A2 Key, B1 Preliminary Training & Certification
11th of January 2025 (Saturday)
09:00 – 18:30 (with breaks)
Ichigaya, Tokyo
Young Learner Exams Training & Certification
12th of January 2025 (Sunday)
09:00 – 18:30 (with breaks)
Ichigaya, Tokyo
Young Learner Exams Training & Certification
26th of January 2025 (Sunday)
09:00 – 18:30 (with breaks)
Okayama, Japan
Training Fee: Free of charge.
The aims of the training session are: to make trainee examiners aware of the general responsibilities of a Cambridge English Assessment Specialist; to present likely problems/issues that may arise and how to manage them effectively; to familiarise trainee examiners with the format and procedure of the speaking exams; to give trainee examiners the opportunity to practise; to standardise the assessment of candidates; to give trainee examiners the opportunity to discuss and ask questions about all aspects of the above.
Please Note: Training opportunities are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. Please note that places are limited. Recruitment is ongoing, with opportunities to join our team available throughout the year.
Interested in joining our team?
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
Contact Details: Centre Exams Manager: cem@cambridgecentre.jp