This Code of Conduct applies to all personnel who are commissioned to work on IoL Educational Trust’s examinations in whatever capacity, hereafter referred to as “the Examiner”.

Acceptance of a commission indicates willingness to abide by the Code of Conduct. The objective of the Code of Conduct is to make sure that all examination procedures are carried out consistently, competently and impartially and that all those involved in the process are clear about what is expected of them.

The Board of the IoL Educational Trust has ultimate responsibility for the IoL Educational Trust’s examinations and its examiners.

Any infringement of the Code of Conduct could result in the removal of the Examiner from the IoL Educational Trust’s Examiner Database.

1. General Conditions

1.1     Upon the acceptance of a commission, the Examiner agrees to comply with the brief given to him/her in the commissioning document and to work only to that brief.

1.2     The Examiner is working as a representative of the IoL Educational Trust and will therefore not act in any manner likely to discredit the IoL Educational Trust.

1.3     The Examiner will not enter into any communication on the examination with an Examination Centre or a candidate unless specifically authorised to do so by an Examination Manager.

1.4     The Examiner will not advertise the fact that s/he is an IoL Educational Trust Examiner in order to diminish the likelihood of undue pressure from candidates and /or Examination Centres on examiners.

1.5     The Examiner will advise the Examiner Manager if his/her status and ability to work in the UK change from the information given in the application form.

1.6     The Examiner must contact and obtain prior written permission from the IoL Educational Trust before naming the IoL Educational Trust as a referee or otherwise.

2. Examination Security

2.1     The Examiner will maintain strict confidentiality concerning all examination procedures, material and information and will refer any queries on these to the IoL Educational Trust.

2.2     The Examiner will not use or publicise any examination papers until these have been put into the public domain by the IoL Educational Trust.

2.3     The Examiner must regard all proceedings at moderation, standardisation, training sessions or awards meetings as confidential.

2.4     The Examiner will maintain the highest level of integrity concerning the IoL Educational Trust’s examinations.

2.5     The Examiner will immediately report in writing any suspicion of fraudulent examination practice involving an IoL Educational Trust’s examination by an Examination Centre or by another Examiner.

2.6     The Oral Examiner is responsible for the security of examination materials whilst exams are taking place, unless he or she has expressly given the materials to the Centre for safe keeping.

3. Administration

3.1     Where a commissioned Examiner is unable to fulfil his/her obligations s/he must notify the relevant Examination Manager or, in the case of an Oral Examiner / Interlocutor, the Examiner Manager, Central Registration Department as soon as possible. In the case of an Oral Examiner, at least 48 hours notice must be given if s/he is unable to attend the examination.

3.2     The Examiner must be reliable and punctual at all times.

3.3     The Oral Examiner is responsible for checking his/her papers prior to the examination and for bringing examination papers for his/her own use to the examination.

3.4     The Examiner must not subcontract or delegate commissioned work, or accept delegated work, without authorisation from the relevant Examination Manager.

3.5     The Examiner must ensure that s/he complies with any deadlines stated in the commissioning document.

3.6     The Examiner must return completed claim forms within a maximum of one month after completion of the assignment.

3.7     The Examiner is considered self-employed, and is therefore responsible for paying his/her own tax.

3.8     Claims for incidental expenses, including travel, will be met up to a limit of £20.00 if accompanied by receipts/tickets. Claims in excess of this amount will have to be authorised by the relevant Examinations Consultant or Examination Manager before work is undertaken.

3.9     Material supplied to the Examiner by the IoL Educational Trust remains the property of the IoL Educational Trust and the IoL Educational Trust may ask for it to be returned at any time during the examination or immediately after it.

3.10     Materials supplied by the Examiner:

i . IoL Educational Trust may reject any materials supplied by the Examiner which appear
to be unsuitable.
ii. IoL Educational Trust shall not use any material which in its opinion is or may be of an illegal or libellous nature or an infringement of the proprietary or other rights of any third party.

4. Competence

4.1 The Examiner is expected to maintain and develop his/her written and spoken command of English and the other language(s) and keep abreast of contemporary usage.

4.2 The Examiner is expected to carry out any preparatory work necessary for the completion of the commission.

5. Professional and Ethical Issues

5.1     Any Examiner wishing to publish any material supplied by the IoL Educational Trust will seek prior permission from the IoL Educational Trust.

5.2     The Examiner will act in an impartial, objective and professional manner at all times. S/he must not discuss any aspect of a candidate’s performance or result with the candidate or any other interested party.

5.3     The Examiner will attend all examinations dressed in a professional and appropriate manner.

5.4     The Examiner will not discriminate against any candidate, either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin, political affiliation, age, nationality, religion, gender, disability or any other reason.

5.5     The Examiner will, at the time of commissioning, disclose any information which may make him/her unsuitable to carry out that commission.

5.6     The Examiner will not accept a commission for an examination in which s/he is also a candidate. Any Examiner intending to sit an IoL Educational Trust examination must notify the IoL Educational Trust in writing.

5.7     The Examiner will disclose to the relevant Examination Manager if a candidate is known or related to him/her. Tutors or centre staff are not acceptable as Oral Examiners for their own students.

5.8     It is expected that the Examiner will represent the interests of the IoL Educational Trust in a positive manner at all times.

5.9     The Examiner will not accept any form of reward, whether in cash or otherwise, for the IoL Educational Trust’s examination work, other than from the IoL Educational Trust.

Criteria for Recruitment of Examiners

An Institute of Linguists’ examiner

is able, where applicable, to work in this country
has native/near native competence in Language A
is educated, where appropriate, to degree level Language A
is a frequent returner, where possible, to country of origin
has a degree-equivalent level of competency in written and spoken Language B
has some professional academic work experience
is willing to undergo Institute training
is willing to travel
has some examining experience
is able to demonstrate a level of commitment to Continuing Professional development
can provide two professional references
can provide details of tax status in the UK
has a sympathetic personality
is able to work/communicate at all levels of ability
has no expressed political, cultural or ethical bias
is able to meet deadlines
has read, understood and agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Criteria for Recruitment of Interlocutors

An Institute of Linguists’ interlocutor

is able, where applicable, to work in this country
has native/near native competence in Language A
is educated, where appropriate to degree level Language A
frequently returns where possible, to country of origin
has a degree-equivalent level of competency in written and spoken Language B
is willing to undergo Institute training
is willing to travel
has some interlocutor experience
can provide two professional references
can provide details of tax status in the UK
has a sympathetic personality
is able to work/communicate at all levels of ability
has no expressed political, cultural or ethical bias
is able to meet deadlines
has read, understood and agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct

April 2006

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