Margaret Cooze is a freelance language and assessment specialist. She holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and an MSc in English Language Teaching Management. She has taught in Guatemala, Japan and the UK with a particular interest in the teaching and assessment of writing.
Margaret has also worked for Cambridge University Press & Assessment, managing the production of a range of assessments for language learners and teachers. She has also led on assessment reviews, benchmarking and comparability studies as well as supporting awarding bodies in gaining recognition for their assessments.
She is now involved in the design, development and production of assessment materials as well acting as moderator and Principal Examiner for English assessments for Cambridge International. Alongside this, Margaret has recently written for Cambridge University Press and also designs and delivers training on the principles of assessment, question paper content writing, the operational aspects of assessment systems and also language awareness for teachers with recent work in Sweden, Lesotho, Pakistan, Botswana, Eswatini, The Bahamas and Vietnam.
What is competence?
Vitello, S., Greatorex, J., & Shaw, S. 2021 define competence as: ‘the ability to integrate and apply contextually-appropriate knowledge, skills and psychosocial factors (e.g., beliefs, attitudes, values and motivations) to consistently perform successfully within a specified domain.’
Why train with The Assessment Network?
The Assessment Network at Cambridge is a global community of assessment professionals, committed to equipping practitioners with a clear understanding of core assessment principles and practices. Through accredited training, professional membership, and career development opportunities, we support individuals and organisations in becoming recognised, up-to-date assessment leaders.
We enable positive change by helping practitioners enhance the impact of assessment for learners, offering CPD courses, bespoke solutions, and professional recognition for every challenge and role. Trusted by over 1,000 organisations across 100 countries, and backed by world-class research from the University of Cambridge, we unite professionals who connect, share learning, and stand out as experts in their field.
How much does it cost?
Assessing competence: Definitions, challenges and strategies costs £265 or you can receive a 10% discount on your booking as a Member.
I want to register my team, what’s the best way to do this?
If you’re looking to book five or more places on an upcoming workshop or workshop series, you can receive a group discount. Please get in touch for a quote.
How do I register?
If this workshop is currently available use the Book Now button to complete your registration on our booking platform. If the workshop is not available, you can register your interest.
How will I learn?
Live workshops are interactive, practical sessions offered online, either as standalone sessions or as part of a series.
Led by assessment experts, these sessions require live attendance, via our online learning site, providing opportunities for direct guidance and real-time answers to your questions. These practical explorations and discussions with your assessment peers will help transform your assessment practice.
Will I be able to discuss the workshop topic during the session?
You can engage regularly throughout the online workshops via chat boxes, breakout rooms, polls, and quizzes.
What level of English do I need to be able to complete the course?
The course is delivered in English so you are required to have sufficient competence in English to participate in the training. You should have English language competence comparable to Level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We recommend a minimum requirement of 5.5 on the International English Language Testing System. Further information may be obtained through the IELTS website.
My place on the workshop is now confirmed, what happens next?
Once you’ve completed your booking you’ll receive a confirmation email. Joining instructions for the workshop or series are normally sent after the booking deadline has passed.
What happens if I can't attend one of the sessions?
To receive certification for a workshop series, you can only miss one session.
You’ll be able watch a recording of this missed session, but please note breakout rooms will not be recorded, and attendance is strongly recommended whenever possible.
What kind of certification is available upon completion of the workshop?
You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It is expected that participants will attend at least two out of three live sessions to be eligible for a Certificate of Attendance at the end of the series.
How many CPD learning hours is this accredited for?
This workshop series is accredited for 4.5 learning hours. You must meet the attendance requirements to be eligible to receive the learning hours.
The Assessment Network has been awarded Dual Accreditation by the Professional Development Consortium, meaning we are officially recognised as a Provider of Training Excellence, alongside being a trusted provider of fully CPD accredited assessment training activities.
The majority of our professional development courses are also CPD accredited. Accredited courses are clearly marked with the CPD hours available, and a full list can be found on the CPD Standards website.
Some newer workshops and courses may not yet be accredited by the CPD Standards Office. However, as an assured provider of training excellence, all our workshops meet the same rigorous standards as our accredited training.
What can I do with my learning hours?
At The Assessment Network, learning hours from completing professional development courses contribute directly toward earning awards that recognise your assessment expertise. There are two levels of awards, the Assessment Practitioner Award and the Advanced Assessment Practitioner Award.
How long will I have access to the recording/resources after the workshop ends?
Recordings, slides, and any extra resources will be available via the online learning site for 40 days for a standalone workshop or 90 days for a workshop series.
When is the next workshop running?
We aim to run our workshops at least once a year. If the workshop is not currently available to book, please use the register your interest page.