It’s National Poetry Day and what better way to celebrate than looking back at some of our wonderful learners’ renditions.
Poetry is one key component in many of our Graded Examinations in Speech assessments for learners in Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 5. Encouraging learners to enjoy this use of creative language helps to develop the skills to recite creative language from memory.
The fee of these assessments range from £30.00 at Entry Level to the maximum price of £54.00 per learner at Advanced Level. Please note that financial support may be available for some centres. If you would like to find our more about the financial support that ESB could offer your centre, please visit our Funding page or email us today.
Says Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:
Here at ESB, we strongly believe that poetry is a great way to improve a learner’s overall confidence and communication skills. The memory and presentation skills involved gives them essential life skills, enabling them to thrive in education, training and employment.
For further information about our Speech assessments, please click here. Alternatively, if you still have unanswered questions or you would like to become an ESB centre, please contact our Business Development Team. We’d love to hear from you.
Preparing today’s learner for tomorrow’s world is something ESB is passionate about. Help your learners to reach their potential by taking our assessments today!
Tes.com, the global education organisation supporting teachers and educational organisations around the world, recently published an articlehighlighting the need for a new ESOL strategy following Brexit, which could, with the support of ESB International, provide opportunities for your ESOL learners to further develop their English language skills.
If your learners are progressing from ESOL Skills for Life qualifications at Entry 3, Level 1 or Level 2, ESB has an ESOL International qualification suitable for them.
English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. offers four Ofqual-regulated ESOL International qualifications at B1, B2, C1 and C2 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The CEFR is used all over Europe and internationally as a framework for learning, teaching and assessment.
These four qualifications are suitable for learners who wish to improve their level of general English for personal, academic or professional reasons, and achieve a high-quality, internationally recognised qualification at the CEFR level appropriate to them and their educational circumstances.
CEFR Levels B1-C2 and mini tests
ESOL Skills for Life and ESOL International assessments differ, therefore there is not necessarily a direct progression that is the same for every learner. Please read the information below and encourage your learners to try out our mini-tests to see which test is the most appropriate level!
I have completed:
You should try:
ESOL Skills for Life Entry 3
ESOL International B1 or B2
ESOL Skills for Life Level 1
ESOL International B2 or C1
ESOL Skills for Life Level 2
ESOL International C1 or C2
ESB Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (Entry 3) (B1) B1 learners can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest; describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans*.
If learners have achieved ESOL Skills for Life Entry 3 or Level 1 Speaking & Listening, Reading and Writing Awards, then they should try this B1 mini sample assessment here.
ESB Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (B2) B2 learners can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options*.
If learners have achieved ESOL Skills for Life Entry 3 or Level 1 Speaking & Listening, Reading and Writing Awards, then they should try this B2 mini sample assessment here.
ESB Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (C1) C1 learners can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes, and produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.*
If learners have achieved ESOL Skills for Life Level 1 or Level 2 Speaking & Listening, Reading and Writing Awards, then they should try this C1 mini sample assessment here.
ESB Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (C2) C2 learners can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read and express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.*
If learners have achieved ESOL Skills for Life Level 2 Speaking & Listening, Reading and Writing Awards, then they should try this C2 mini sample assessment here.
Features of the ESOL International qualifications
They are appropriate for teenagers and adults.
They encourage progression and measure learners’ attainment as they move through the CEFR levels on their learning journey.
There are five sections: Listening, Reading, Use of English and Writing are tested in one written paper, and there is a Speaking assessment taken in pairs.
Each section is worth 20% of the final mark, i.e. the final mark is a combination of four skills and Use of English.
All the sections are available online and can be completed in the learner’s home or in centre based IT facilities.
The Listening, Reading and Use of English sections are tested through multiple choice questions.
There are three Pass grades – Pass, Merit and Distinction.
ESB Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (C2) carries UCAS points – 12 for a Pass, 24 for Merit and 36 for a Distinction.
Speaking assessments are taken in pairs, with an assessor and an interlocutor.
Marking and assessing is by ESB International and subject to ESB International quality assurance processes.
*Table 1. Common Reference Levels: global scale in Council of Europe. (2001). Common European framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Cambridge, U.K: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, p.24.
For more information on ESB International ESOL International qualifications please contact busdev@esbuk.org.
English Speaking Board (International) has taken the positive step of reducing its minimum booking fee for centres wishing to enrol their learners for Primary Age Speech and Group Speaking assessments.
In recognition of the challenges many schools and centres have been facing over the past 18 months, ESB is delighted to announce these changes which are designed to allow more learners to access its qualifications.
The new rates are as follows:-
£350.00 (Primary Age Speech Qualifications) £250.00 (Group Speaking Qualifications only)
Please note, the minimum booking fee for centres booking Secondary Age Speech Qualifications remains the same with a minimum fee of £450.00.
Says ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, “We are always striving to make sure the cost does not get in the way of learners accessing our qualifications. I felt it was particularly important to recognise that some new centres, with smaller numbers, may have been dissuaded in trialling our assessments due to the minimum booking fee. I am hopeful that from September 2021, the changes to our minimum booking fees for our Speech qualifications will have a positive impact enabling more learners to access our assessments, and ultimately providing them with oracy skills that will last them a lifetime.
“We are also aiming to support more schools to access our assessments through our 70/70 Campaign, launched to mark ESB’s achievements over the past 70 years. Our 70/70 Campaign aims to find and financially support by 2023, 70 organisations where their young people or community members face disadvantage due to socio economic factors, disability or migration status and would be supported in their aspirations if they could achieve an ESB qualification.
“This is not the first time that ESB has provided financial support to grant learners access to its qualifications. The Christabel Burniston Fund has supported more than 40 centres over the last three academic years and the 70/70 Campaign is an expansion on the support we already offer.”
ESB values transparency as one of its most defining characteristics and it hopes that this adjustment to its prices will deepen its working relationship with centres.
Click hereto view our Prices page. Additionally, if you would like to find out more about ESB’s 70/70 Campaign, please click here.
ESB has been supporting learners to possess the oracy and English language skills they need in order to achieve their aspirations for nearly 70 years!
