Writing Assessor Recruitment Training             

What knowledge and/or skills will I gain from the  course?

This course will look at the recruitment and training of writing assessors whereby trained judgement is required to assess written work. The course is designed to be interactive, and attendees will work in groups sharing ideas and experiences.

There will be an introductory overview of the process starting with an initial exploration of an writing assessor‘s role and responsibilities through to training, standardisation and ongoing quality assurance programmes. In the recruitment and selection section we will consider issues such as conflict of interest, contractual obligation, and effective screening processes. The training section will include delivery mode options, recommendations for training content, e.g., the number and type of exam performances required, the frequency and timing of training sessions. The final section will consider typical assessor behaviours which compromise reliability such as severity/leniency, central tendency, the halo effect and inconsistency. We will look at methods to maintain assessor reliability and consistency to ensure that assessors are adhering to the required standards.

Who is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for those of you who are new to recruiting and training writing assessors and those wishing to review their current practices. You will be asked to complete a short questionnaire at registration on your testing context to ensure the course is shaped to your needs. 

How is this course delivered?

This practical course is delivered online via Microsoft Teams. It consists of two 90-minute sessions.

Who is the course tutor?

The course will be delivered by Cathy Taylor, ALTE expert member. Cathy has 15 years’ experience in recruiting and training assessors.

When is the next course?

The next Writing Assessor Recruitment Training course will take place on 25 June 2025. 

How can I register?

Register for the next course here.

Expression of Interest

If you would like to express your interest in this course, or any other ALTE course, please click here.

Can several people from the same organisation join this course?

For group bookings, ALTE advises to book a maximum of three places per organisation.

How can I pay?

Full payment is required on registration. We strongly recommend that payment is made online using a Visa, MasterCard or American Express. However, if it is not possible to pay with a credit/debit card when registering, please contact the ALTE Services Unit (servicesunit@alte.org) to request an invoice with bank transfer payment instructions.