Exam Invigilating For TEFL Students

While you’re teaching English as a foreign language you might be asked by the school you’re working for to invigilate for students who are doing TEFL exams. Here’s what you should expect with exam invigilating:

If you’re working abroad then it is likely that the school director or another member of staff will read out the rules and regulations concerning the exam conditions. They will need to hear the instructions in their own language so that everything is properly understood.

Normally the rules are as follows:

• No talking for the duration of the exam
• No smoking, eating or drinking
• Raise a hand to attract the attention of the invigilator
• Student’s can’t leave the examination hall until 15 minutes before the end of the exam. Once a student has left they cannot return.
• All mobile phones must be turned off

After that you will take over and:

• Hand out the exam paper by putting them face down on the desk or table.
• Announce the beginning of the exam
• Walk around discreetly amongst the students. This means they know they can attract your attention if necessary and you can look for any signs of cheating

Students can be very clever about cheating, so you need to keep a close eye on them without disturbing them while they are working. Look for:

• Mobile phones that have been switched on
• Notes in their pencil cases
• Writing on their hands or arms
• Notes stuck inside pens

If a student asks to go to the toilet during the exam, make sure they are accompanied. Students might have a person waiting in the toilet for them with answers, or they could take the opportunity to use their mobiles.

There are sometimes opportunities for invigilators in the UK, especially during May and June. You don’t need any experience and you’ll be given a briefing before the exams. It’s another skill you can add to your teaching English as a foreign language CV.