Requirements
- education to first degree level or equivalent*
- a recognised language teaching qualification*
- proof of substantial, relevant, recent teaching experience ideally 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 (i.e. ideally 3,000 hours or more) supported by positive references.
The induction and training process
Before you can do any live examining, you will be invited to complete Induction, Training, and Certification of Procedure and Assessment modules. These Quality Assurance (QA) modules may be delivered by online self-access, by telephone and/or via online or face-to-face meetings.
Examining in the UK
Speaking Examiners examine at centres locally or at least within a 60-mile radius of their home address. Assignments normally take place during morning, afternoon and evening sessions from Monday to Friday, and morning and afternoon sessions at weekends. Sessions take place throughout the year but peak in May/June and November/December.
Invitations to take part in QA modules and any examining as a Speaking Examiner are not guaranteed and are issued as and when examining opportunities arise.
Please do not apply for Speaking examining work unless you are reasonably available to undertake assignments during the week, in the evenings and on some Saturdays. Speaking Examiners will not be asked to undertake more than two sessions a day.
We have a large pool of UK Speaking examiners but recruit a few each year.
Examining outside the UK
If you are not based in the UK, our international exam centres directly engage or employ Speaking examiners for the Speaking part of many of our exams. Speaking examiners are not employed by Cambridge English.
If you are interested in becoming a Speaking examiner, and meet our requirements, you can contact your local exam centre to see whether there are any opportunities for examining. Find your nearest exam centre.