Assessment Technologies:
Speaking & Writing
A 42-hour CPD course for teachers who want to assess confidently, standardise reliably, and give feedback that actually improves performance.
Limited group size · Live participation required
Master reliable assessment techniques for Speaking and Writing tasks.
Learn to give feedback that drives real improvement in student performance.
What you get at a glance
academic hours of structured CPD learning
sessions with hands-on assessment practice
Ready-to-use tools
Checklists, comment bank, marking templates
Certificate
Confirming completion of the course
Who is this course for?
English teachers (B2–C2)
Assess Speaking & Writing with confidence, not intuition — and explain marks clearly to learners.
Exam preparation tutors (Cambridge / IELTS)
Reliable standardisation, stronger error diagnosis, and feedback that leads to measurable score improvement.
Teacher trainers & academic coordinators
Develop internal standards, train colleagues, and establish a consistent approach to assessment and moderation.
Curriculum & materials developers
Design tasks and rubrics aligned with CEFR and real exam expectations.
By the end of the course, you will be able to…
Assessment & Criteria
apply CEFR-informed criteria to real learner performances (Speaking & Writing)
distinguish range vs accuracy, cohesion vs coherence, task fulfilment vs quality
standardise marking within a team and reduce score inconsistency
identify patterns behind recurring errors and prioritise what matters for score gains
Feedback & Standardisation
produce feedback that is specific, teachable, and time-efficient
design or adapt tasks that elicit the target features (especially at B2–C1)
build a reusable comment bank and a practical assessment checklist
justify grades professionally (to students, parents, colleagues, admin)
How the course works
Each session combines a concise theoretical framework with guided practice. You assess Speaking and Writing samples, compare assessment decisions, calibrate against benchmark performance, and refine professional feedback language.
Format & workload
Academic hours
(total workload)
Live sessions + independent practice
21 hours
Live online classes
Interactive assessment workshops
Guided independent practice
Assessment & feedback assignments
What this includes
live online sessions focused on assessment and decision-making
structured practice with Speaking & Writing samples
moderation and standardisation tasks
practical takeaways after each meeting (templates and tools)
Learning mode
The course follows a practice-first approach.
Theory is introduced only to support assessment decisions, standardisation, and feedback quality.
Participants work with authentic performances and scripts, gradually building a consistent and reliable assessment system aligned with CEFR principles and exam expectations.
Programme Overview
The course is structured around two core assessment tracks — Speaking and Writing. Each track includes four analytical and practice-based sessions, followed by dedicated standardisation sessions to ensure consistency, reliability, and alignment with CEFR and exam benchmarks.
Syllabus and Schedule
Format
Each study day includes two 90-minute sessions with a 15-minute break between them.
Friday, 23 January
Language
- What grammar and vocabulary features characterise successful candidates?
- Are mistakes acceptable — and if so, which ones?
- How do we balance fluency, accuracy, and sophistication?
Organisation
Coherence and cohesion in written discourse. Flexible use of cohesive devices and less common organisational patterns to achieve communicative purpose.
Sunday, 25 January
Communicative Achievement
Task fulfilment, genre awareness, register, and function. Strategies for holding the target reader's attention and communicating ideas effectively.
Pronunciation
What pronunciation features are actually assessed. Common misconceptions, pitfalls, and typical weak areas.
Friday, 30 January
Discourse Management
How speakers steer interaction and maintain relevance. Cohesion, extension, and managing responses beyond the task.
Language 1 (Vocabulary)
Advanced lexis: range, precision, and appropriacy. Selecting sophisticated vocabulary that enhances clarity and impact.
Saturday, 31 January
Language 2 (Grammar)
Grammatical control and flexibility. Patterns that enhance effectiveness, errors that impede communication, and the role of punctuation.
Interaction
Active listening, responding, and extending interaction. Demonstrating engagement and communicative intent.
Sunday, 01 February
Final AssessmentSetting the Standard: Speaking
Criteria, Can-Do statements, and benchmark performances. Establishing standards across levels and exams. Final speaking assessment task.
Setting the Standard: Writing
Revisiting writing criteria and standardisation principles. Aligning judgments across scripts and levels. Final writing assessment task.
Course instructors
The course is delivered by experienced teacher trainers specialising in assessment, standardisation, and exam preparation at higher levels.
Vladimir Pavlovich
Founder of Advanced English and Exams
C2 Proficiency (Grade A) with 230 points in Writing • IELTS 9.0
Perfect IELTS Writing (9.0)
MA in Linguistics • MA in Education • PhD candidate
65,000+ learners and teachers
View full profile
Susana Safarova
Founder of Skills for Exams
C2 Proficiency (Grade A) with 230 points in Speaking
IELTS 9.0 Speaking • CELTA (A) • full DELTA
IELTS Expert • Author of "Par Excellence"
35,000+ subscribers
View full profile
Instructors combine:
Hands-on experience in preparing learners for Cambridge and IELTS examinations
Extensive work with Speaking and Writing assessment criteria
Practical involvement in moderation and standardisation processes
Teacher training and curriculum development at advanced levels
Pricing
Full course (42 hours) + certificate
Valid until 10 January
25,000 ₽
10% off
After 10 January
Payment plan available
2 payments of 13,500 ₽ (total 27,000 ₽)
Your place is confirmed after payment (full or first instalment).
Limited seats to keep practice and feedback meaningful.
Invoice-based payment · Limited places
Certificate and course documents
Participants who successfully complete the course receive a 42-hour advanced qualification certificate confirming professional development in assessment of Speaking and Writing.
The course documentation includes:
- an official programme description (42 academic hours)
- a structured list of modules and assessment components
- defined learning outcomes and competencies
Upon completion, participants receive:
- a Certificate in English
- an official certificate in Russian (удостоверение о повышении квалификации)
Удостоверение о повышении квалификации
Certificate in English
Sample certificates
FAQ
The course is designed for teachers working with B2–C1 learners, particularly those involved in assessing Speaking and Writing for Cambridge and IELTS exams.
No. The course develops a criteria-based assessment approach from the ground up and gradually moves towards standardisation and advanced practice. Prior examiner experience is not required.
Yes. Live attendance is mandatory.
The course is built around active participation in discussions and joint analysis rather than passive content consumption. If a session is missed, participants receive a structured summary of the lesson, but absence may affect eligibility for certification.
No. Sessions are not recorded.
The educational value of the course lies in live discussion, collaborative case analysis, and professional interaction. In addition, recording assessment discussions would require explicit consent from all participants, as such materials could otherwise be used for commercial purposes.
Live sessions are delivered via Zoom.
All assignments, assessment tasks, submissions, and the final test are managed through the Canvas learning platform, which serves as the course's educational infrastructure.
Independent work amounts to approximately two academic hours per session, matching the volume of live instruction. Tasks are closely aligned with session content and focus on assessment practice.
Yes. Independent work is assessed and forms part of the certification requirements.
To receive the certificate, participants must:
- complete at least 75% of all assignments
- achieve a minimum score of 80% on completed tasks
To be awarded the certificate, participants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Attendance: at least 75% of live sessions
- Assignments: at least 75% completed with a score of 80% or higher
- Final assessment: completed with a score of 80% or higher
The certificate confirms completion of a 42-hour professional development course in Speaking and Writing assessment.
Yes. The course is relevant for any teacher who assesses Speaking and Writing at upper-intermediate and advanced levels, regardless of whether they work directly with exam preparation.
Yes. A minimum English level of C1+ is required, as participants will assess performances at advanced levels.
The course provides a solid foundation in CEFR criteria and is particularly valuable for teachers aiming to work confidently at C2 / CPE level.
Payment is made by invoice, following the signing of a formal contract.
No. The course is offered as a single, integrated educational product, which includes live instruction and access to the learning platform and materials.
The course is delivered entirely in English.
Participants are expected to have a minimum level of C1+.
Ready to assess with confidence?
Join a practice-driven CPD course and build a reliable system for Speaking & Writing assessment — aligned with CEFR and real exam expectations.
Build a reliable assessment system aligned with CEFR and exam standards.
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