English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Author: Liam Morton

ESB International Strengthens Singapore Partnerships with Visit to Tanglin Trust School

ESB International Strengthens Singapore Partnerships with Visit to Tanglin Trust School

ESB International CEO Adrian Gallagher (right) and Head of Commercial, Jonathan Smith (left), welcomed to Tanglin Trust School by ESB Organiser Kitty Dudgeon

English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB International) has continued its Singapore Roadshow with a visit to long-standing centre Tanglin Trust School, celebrating an established partnership and looking ahead to the next chapter of ESB International’s work in Singapore.

Chief Executive Adrian Gallagher and Head of Commercial Jonathan Smith spent time at Tanglin Trust School as part of ESB International’s week-long programme of meetings with schools, education partners and stakeholders across Singapore.

The Singapore Roadshow, taking place from 21 to 25 September 2026, has been designed to strengthen existing relationships, develop new partnerships and explore how schools can support learners through Oracy, public speaking, debating, enrichment opportunities and English language development.

Celebrating a long-standing Oracy partnership

Tanglin Trust School has worked with ESB International for more than a decade, giving generations of learners opportunities to develop and demonstrate their speaking, listening and communication skills.

During the visit, Adrian and Jonathan had the pleasure of meeting Kitty, who coordinates ESB International teaching and assessment activity at the school, as well as Craig Considine, Chief Executive Officer of Tanglin Trust School.

The relationship between the two organisations is built around a shared commitment to helping young people communicate with confidence and purpose.

Tanglin has previously described how ESB International qualifications became embedded within its Junior School curriculum, providing learners with structured progression in public speaking. The school has also highlighted how pupils progress through activities including poetry, reading aloud, presenting areas of interest and developing persuasive arguments.

That long-term commitment reflects an important part of ESB International’s approach. Partnerships are not simply about delivering an assessment. They are about listening to centres, understanding what works for their learners and supporting schools as their provision develops over time.

Oracy as part of school life

The visit also provided an opportunity to see more of Tanglin Trust School and the wider learning environment in which its pupils develop their communication skills.

ESB International’s Oracy qualifications are designed to help learners build speaking and listening skills through learner-focused assessment. Its wider Oracy offer supports areas including confident communication, public speaking, presentation, debating and critical thinking.

Tanglin’s Junior School continues to reference English Speaking Board examinations within its curriculum, with public speaking opportunities forming part of its wider approach to developing learner confidence.

Building relationships across Singapore

Tanglin Trust School provides a strong example of the kind of relationship ESB International wants to continue building.

More than a decade of working together has allowed both organisations to develop an approach that supports learners while giving the school a clear framework for recognising Oracy achievement.

As ESB International meets more schools and education partners during the Singapore Roadshow, the focus remains the same: listen first, understand the needs of each setting and explore how a genuine partnership could support learners.

The visit to Tanglin was therefore both a celebration of what has already been achieved and a sign of what ESB International hopes to build across Singapore in the years ahead.

ESB International would like to thank Kitty, Craig Considine and the wider Tanglin Trust School team for their warm welcome and for their continued commitment to developing confident communicators.

We look forward to many more years of Oracy partnership with Tanglin Trust School, and to developing new relationships across Singapore.

Find out more

Schools and education organisations in Singapore that would like to explore ESB International’s Oracy or English language qualifications can register their interest for a future conversation with the team.

Get in touch

Download our prospectus

22 September 2026
ESB International heads to Bett Asia as it looks to strengthen partnerships across Asia

ESB International heads to Bett Asia as it looks to strengthen partnerships across Asia

English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB International) is looking forward to joining education leaders from across the region at Bett Asia in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Chief Executive Adrian Gallagher will make a short stop in Malaysia during the ESB Singapore Roadshow, a week-long programme of meetings with international schools and education partners taking place from 21–25 September. Bett Asia, held at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur, brings together educators, school leaders, policymakers and innovators from across the Asia-Pacific education community.

Building partnerships across Asia

Over the coming year, ESB International is keen to connect with more international schools, education groups and partners across Asia that share its belief in the importance of confident and authentic communication.

The Singapore Roadshow has been designed to strengthen existing relationships, develop new partnerships and explore how schools can support learners through oracy, public speaking, debating, enrichment and English language development. Adrian’s visit to Bett Asia creates an opportunity to extend those conversations beyond Singapore and meet education leaders from across the wider region.

This matters because the role of spoken communication extends far beyond a single subject or activity. Whether learners are explaining an idea in science, contributing to a group discussion, presenting research, debating a topical issue or preparing for university and employment, the ability to communicate clearly and listen effectively supports participation across school life.

Our Singapore Roadshow is about listening to schools, understanding what they want for their learners and exploring where ESB International can add genuine value. Bett Asia gives us the chance to broaden that conversation and meet educators and potential partners from across the region.

As our international oracy work grows, we want to build long-term partnerships with schools that recognise communication as an important part of preparing young people for the future.
Adrian Gallagher, Chief Executive of ESB International

Where can oracy fit within an international school

One of the strengths of our unique oracy qualifications is their flexibility.

Schools can embed oracy into the core curriculum, using qualification activities alongside existing classroom learning, or offer qualifications through the co-curriculum, including enrichment, debating, public speaking and wider learner development programmes.

ESB International’s qualifications are designed to complement learning across different subject areas rather than confining speaking and listening to the English classroom. Learners might research and present a curriculum topic, interpret literature, construct and defend an argument, respond to questions or engage with their peers through structured discussion.

For international schools, that creates several practical opportunities.

Structured progression in communication skills

We offer oracy qualifications from early years and primary education through secondary and post-16. As learners progress, they can move from developing early confidence and expression to more sophisticated presentation, debating, critical thinking and evidence-led communication. Our Level 3 qualifications also carry UCAS Tariff Points, providing additional relevance for learners considering higher education in the UK.

Authentic speaking and listening experiences

Our oracy assessments take place in small, supportive groups, while learners are assessed individually. This creates opportunities for speaking, listening and responding that more closely reflect real communication, while encouraging collaboration and engagement with others.

Learner choice and
agency

Learners are given meaningful opportunities to choose what they speak about, including topics, texts and areas that reflect their interests. Learners can also choose from four unique pathways at Level 1 and Level 2 that personalise their experience even further.

In person or remote
assessment options

Assessments are delivered and marked by trained and standardised assessors, either in-person or online. Every learner who successfully passes their ESB assessment will be sent a physical certificate.

Independent recognition
of achievement

Our oracy qualifications are externally assessed. Assessments are delivered and marked by trained and standardised assessors, giving schools an independent framework through which to recognise learners’ communication skills. Our qualifications at Level 1 and above are accredited by Ofqual.

Specialist qualifications for learners with SEND or EAL

We believe in oracy for all, and offer accredited qualification options for learners with SEND or EAL that offer those learners more accessible opportunities to engage with their oracy skills alongside their peers.

Starting a wider conversation

ESB International has championed confident communication for more than 70 years. As its work with international schools develops, the organisation is looking forward to learning from educators across Asia and exploring how its qualifications can complement different curricula, school cultures and learner priorities.

Bett Asia is an important opportunity to continue that conversation.

If you are attending Bett Asia on 23 September and would like to meet Adrian Gallagher to discuss oracy, public speaking, debating, EAL or opportunities to work in partnership with ESB International, get in touch with the team to arrange a conversation in Kuala Lumpur.

14 September 2026
English Speaking Opportunities with ESB International and the English-Speaking Union

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.

Explore the ESU’s competitions

ESB International is continuing to explore further collaborative opportunities with the English-Speaking Union, so watch this space for what comes next.

10 September 2026
ESB Launches My Voice: New Oracy Qualifications for Primary Schools
ESB Launches My Voice: A New Way to Recognise and Develop Oracy in Primary Schools

Speaking and listening are at the heart of learning, helping children explore ideas, build relationships and develop confidence. Yet while reading and writing are routinely assessed and celebrated, spoken communication often receives less formal recognition in schools.

That is why ESB International is proud to launch My Voice, a new suite of primary oracy qualifications designed to give schools a structured, practical and affordable way to recognise learners’ spoken language skills

What is My Voice?

My Voice is a suite of three unregulated oracy qualifications for primary-aged learners. The qualifications have been developed to help children communicate with confidence, listen actively, express ideas clearly and collaborate effectively with others.

The suite consists of:

ESB Oracy Award
(Entry 1): My Voice and Me

Designed primarily for Key Stage 1 learners aged 5-7, this qualification develops foundational speaking, listening, storytelling and communication skills

ESB Oracy Award
(Entry 2): My Voice in My Community

Learners develop greater independence through discussion, collaboration and communication linked to their communities

ESB Oracy Award
(Entry 3): My Voice in the World

Learners broaden their communication skills through discussion, debate and exploration of wider global themes
Why Schools Need Oracy Qualifications

Research and policy continue to highlight the importance of spoken language in supporting academic achievement, literacy development and personal growth. ESB’s new qualifications help schools:

Embed high-quality oracy practice

Recognise learners’ achievements in speaking and listening

Develop confidence and self-belief

Support literacy and comprehension

Encourage authentic communication rather than “test talk”

Flexible Assessment for Busy Schools

A key feature of My Voice is its practical classroom-based assessment model.

Teachers assess learners through everyday activities including:

Presentations and talks

Collaborative discussions

Storytelling and reading aloud

Group problem-solving

Functional speaking and listening tasks

Assessment is completed internally by trained staff and externally moderated by ESB International, providing confidence in outcomes while minimising disruption to teaching and learning.
Affordable Oracy Recognition for every Learner

Designed with flexibility in mind, the My Voice qualifications offer an accessible way for schools and educational providers to recognise and celebrate learners’ spoken communication skills. Whether delivered in a mainstream primary school, special school, alternative provision or community-based setting, the qualifications are designed to fit naturally within everyday teaching and learning. Their internally assessed model helps reduce barriers to participation while giving learners the opportunity to gain formal recognition for their oracy development.

More Information Coming Soon

Formal qualification specifications, teaching and learning resources, centre guidance and booking information will be released shortly. Registering your interest will ensure you are among the first to receive launch updates, qualification documentation and details on how to begin delivering the My Voice qualifications within your setting.
25 August 2026