English Speaking Opportunities with ESB International and the English-Speaking Union
ESB International is pleased to be working with the English-Speaking Union to share another opportunity for young people to use and develop their speaking, listening and critical thinking skills.
Registration for the ESU’s 2026–27 national oracy competitions closes on Wednesday 16 September 2026.
At English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB International), developing confident communicators is about much more than one assessment. ESB International’s oracy qualifications give learners structured opportunities to find their voice, express ideas with confidence, listen and respond thoughtfully, and take ownership of what they want to communicate. Across its pathways, learners can develop skills in areas including speech, discussion, presentation and debating, with progression available from the early years through to post-16 education.
And those skills do not need to stop when a learner receives their certificate.
ESB International is pleased to be working with the English-Speaking Union (ESU) to highlight its national competitions for the 2026–27 academic year. For schools already delivering ESB International qualifications, they offer an exciting opportunity for learners to take the skills they have been developing and apply them in a new setting.
For schools considering how to create more purposeful opportunities for speaking and listening, the competitions also demonstrate just how varied oracy can be, from constructing an argument to addressing an audience or interpreting a piece of literature.
Three opportunities to take communication skills further
Mace Debating
Competition
Open to students aged 11–18, the Schools’ Mace is the oldest and largest debating competition for schools in England and Wales. Learners research, construct and present persuasive arguments while listening and responding to opposing viewpoints, putting critical thinking, reasoning and confident communication into practice.
Public Speaking Competition
For students aged 13–16, this team-based competition gives participants distinct roles as speaker, questioner and chairperson. It offers learners the chance to develop not only public speaking, but also active listening, questioning and the ability to respond effectively to others.
Performing Shakespeare Competition
Open to students aged 11–14, this drama and oracy competition encourages learners to explore Shakespeare through performance and interpretation. Finalists have the opportunity to perform at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
Building the skills first
Competitions provide a valuable opportunity to demonstrate communication skills, but confidence is built through regular opportunities to practise, reflect and progress.
That is where ESB International’s qualifications can support schools.
Its learner-centred approach gives individuals meaningful choices about topics, texts and discussion points, helping them take greater ownership of their communication. At secondary level, ESB International also offers dedicated Debating qualifications, where learners develop their ability to construct arguments, respond to different viewpoints, work collaboratively and communicate with increasing independence.
For an existing ESB International learner, an ESU competition could therefore provide an engaging opportunity to take those skills into a different environment. Alternatively, learners who have already competed in an ESU competition, an ESB International oracy qualification is a natural next step for learners looking to achieve a recognised qualification for skills they have already demonstrated to a high level.
Registration closes 16 September
Registration for all three ESU competitions closes on Wednesday 16 September 2026. Schools and educational institutions across England and Wales can find competition information and registration details on the ESU website.
ESB International is continuing to explore further collaborative opportunities with the English-Speaking Union, so watch this space for what comes next.