English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Author: Liam Morton

  • Week 4 of ESB’s ‘Oracy for All’ Campaign: Oracy for Independent Living and Social Interaction

    English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) launches Week 4 of its ‘Oracy for All’ campaign, designed to reach out to, and empower more learners with significant learning needs through its ambitious and inclusive oracy qualifications.

    Oracy for Independent Living and Social Interaction

    • ‘Spoken language is crucial for successfully navigating social interactions and different cultural contexts. Strong oracy skills enable children and young people to express their feelings, advocate for their beliefs, and build and maintain healthy relationships.’ The National Literacy Trust quoted in the Oracy Education Commission’s 2024 Report

    Oracy Education Commission Evidence

    ‘59% of children say strong communication skills make them feel happier.’

    PEARSON SCHOOL REPORT, (written evidence to the OEC Commission 2024)

    ‘52% of parents say their children (aged 5-9 years old) are struggling to make friends because they lack self-confidence in speaking to others.’

    ESU POLLING, (written evidence to the OEC Commission 2024)

    At ESB, we provide communication-rich experiences that build confidence in every learner, empowering them to advocate for themselves and navigate daily life with self-assurance and independence.

    This week emphasises how strong communication skills are not only essential in the classroom, but also foundational to self-advocacy, autonomy, and fulfilling interactions in the community. For learners with significant learning needs, these skills are even more vital for everyday tasks and for forming and maintaining meaningful relationships.

    For over 10 years, ESB has provided specialist opportunities for learners with significant additional needs to succeed and this commitment is ongoing. We wholeheartedly believe that developing oral communication strategies is one of the keys to living an independent life. For those learners who experience challenges with communication, the priority is to develop their confidence when interacting with others, enabling them to deal effectively with the practicalities of daily life.

    Tina Renshaw, Chief Executive of English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

    Our Qualifications

    ESB offers qualifications called Communication for Independent Living and Social Interaction, a part of our suite of Building Confidence in Communication oracy qualifications for learners with significant learning needs.

    As part of the qualification, learners will be able to:  

    • Section 1: Acknowledge or Respond to a greeting (Entry 1) / Communicate about living independently (Entry 2) 
    • Section 2: Answer Questions / Tell a group about something of personal interest (Entry 1) / Read a short text out loud (Entry 2) 
    • Section 3: Be part of an audience / Join a group activity (Entry 1) / Make a telephone call to the emergency services (Entry 2) 
    • Section 4: Respond to a farewell / Show support as a listener (Entry 1) / Support the communication of others in the group (Entry 2) 
    See our qualifications

    Adds Tina:

    Our group-based approach to assessment, seamlessly integrated into any curriculum, is designed to support learners to become more independent, enabling them to confidently engage in activities and social exchanges

    Belfast Met College, a long-standing partner of ESB, has witnessed the profound impact these qualifications have on their students with significant learning difficulties and disabilities.

    Belfast Met has had the honour of working with ESB and has witnessed first-hand the transformative impact that ESB qualifications have on individuals’ lives, supporting nearly 2,000 students with learning difficulties and disabilities. As a result, our students can now communicate independently, not just in the college setting, but also in their wider community.

    Belfast Met College

    Our Teacher Resources

    To support educators in fostering oracy skills in the classroom, ESB offers a comprehensive range of teacher resources, specifically designed to help isolate and practice effective speaking and listening skills.

    These resources include three groups of activities:

    • Everyday interaction
    • Giving a presentation
    • Fine-tuning the message
    Access resources

    These activities can be easily adapted for students working at various levels, ensuring that all learners can benefit from them. There are also various tips on inclusive practice in the classroom.

    Make ‘Oracy for All’ a Reality

    ESB’s ‘Oracy for All’ campaign underscores ESB’s mission to make life-changing communication skills accessible to every learner.

    To learn more about ESB’s qualifications, join our webinar on Tuesday the 26th of November at 4.00pm for an in-depth look at how these qualifications can make a real difference to the lives of individuals. 

    Join webinar

    If you are unable to attend the webinar, you can reach out to ESB’s Business Strategy Team at business@esbuk.org for additional resources and information.

  • A Sad Goodbye to Avril

    It was with great sadness that we learnt that passionate ESB supporter, our dear colleague and friend, Avril Newman, has passed away. 

    Avril embraced all aspects of ESB as a teacher, as a headteacher, as an ESB Trustee – twice! and as the face of our 70/70 anniversary campaign when she took on the role of Ambassador.

    Avril also coined the phrase, which for the past few years has become the cornerstone of how we describe the organisation, when she described what ESB has to offer: “Imagine a golden ticket to social mobility and future success.” Spoken from the heart and as ever, with Avril, authentic and coming from a place of great knowledge and professionalism.

    Avril was an amazing educator – and taught in Tower Hamlets in London for an incredible 55 years! In that time, she was headteacher of the fantastic Sir William Burrough School for 28 years.

    Her daughter, Debbie, who followed her Mum into the world of education and created the ground-breaking Oracy-led Noisy Classroom, and who was herself a former Trustee of ESB, said:

    Mum was such a passionate supporter of ESB and so many children at Sir William Burrough School benefited from being involved. She was delighted to become an Ambassador for the 70/70 Campaign and do what she could to spread the word. She was so thrilled when her granddaughter, my daughter, Talia, took her first ESB exam last year making us officially three generations of ESB!

    She was also a magistrate and a Freeman of the City of London (and yes she did take a sheep over London Bridge)!


    In her working life, Avril shared the same goal as ESB – to enable disadvantaged learners to communicate more effectively to allow them to reach their aspirations and follow their dreams. She was a Trustee at English Speaking Board on two occasions. She first stepped down from the role in 2009 when her daughter Debbie took over her position. She then returned to the Board in 2013 until 2021.

    Her school, a state education Primary School serving the local communities of Tower Hamlets, completed ESB assessments for many years as Avril was a fervent believer that it helped her learners, many of whom came from homes where English was not their first language, to improve their self-confidence and communication skills.  

    At the time of being appointed as our Ambassador, Avril said:

    I am overwhelmed to have been appointed as ESB’s 70/70 Ambassador! ESB assessments have been a great gift to our school. They give our pupils a structure and purpose and help them to find their voice. The speeches that my learners complete as part of their ESB assessment are very close to the heart and the culture of the community that I serve. They have the most enchanting experience with an ESB assessor, and they then feel a sense of achievement when they receive a certificate at the end of it. Do not underestimate the joy of that golden ticket that those children take home, that they can share and display, that their families in overcrowded, intergenerational, non-English speaking homes have enormous pride in.


    Sir William Burrough School, paid their own tribute: “Avril was the leader of Sir William Burrough for almost 30 years and in this time ceaselessly and passionately championed the school and its community. We remember her with the fondest of memories and cherish the proud legacy that she leaves behind.“

    A BBC Report broadcast in 1999 discussing progress that minority groups could make given the right teaching, held up Avril’s school as a perfect example. The BBC said: “Bangladeshi pupils at one primary school in London prove that underachievement is not inevitable. At the Sir William Burrough primary school in the East End, in the national English tests they generally outstrip not only their white peers, but also the national average. The school puts its success down partly to its open-minded attitude to pupils whose mother tongue is not English”.

    Avril, always proud of her learners, contributed: “It is important to remember many ethnic minority children are bright and must not be treated as if they had learning difficulties, just because they have language difficulties.“

    Finally, ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, who knew Avril well in all her ESB roles, remembers:

    Avril was such a special person and a magnificent educator. As the new CEO to ESB, she wanted me to see ESB in action and shared her school with me on a number of occasions to witness those children experience an Oracy education. For me she was committed, principled, dedicated, loving and empathetic. When I wanted to create a campaign to celebrate the impact of ESB when we turned 70, there was no-one else whom I would have chosen to be the ambassador for our 70/70 campaign. We wanted to increase the participation of our Outreach campaign where we support schools in situations like hers to access the life changing experience we believed “doing ESB” to be. She fulfilled that role as only she could,  coining a phrase that became its headline.

    Her educational legacy is clear, thousands of children who were empowered and respected in an environment that gave them life changing, rich, impactful and varied experiences.  I am always humbled that educators like Avril chose ESB to be part of that experience. Thank you Avril, ESB will continue to honour your legacy in our Outreach campaign.

  • Week 3 of ESB’s ‘Oracy for All’ Campaign: Highlighting the essential role of Oracy skills for the Workplace and Beyond

    English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) is thrilled to announce Week 3 of its ongoing ‘Oracy for All’ campaign, a five-week initiative designed to help empower more learners with significant learning needs to achieve through inclusive and ambitious Oracy qualifications.

    This week’s focus, “Oracy for Interviews and the Workplace,” shines a spotlight on the essential role of communication skills in preparing learners for workplace success, boosting their confidence, and fostering future independence.

    According to the Oracy Education Commission’s recent ‘We Need to Talk’ report, spoken communication consistently tops employers’ list of desired skills, yet it remains one of the most significant gaps among school leavers and graduates.

    Says ESB’s CEO, Tina Renshaw:

    ESB is committed to closing the communication skills gap for all learners, especially those with significant learning needs. Through this initiative, we aim to empower students with essential Oracy skills that not only boost confidence but also foster self-esteem, self-identity, and independence – skills that are crucial for successful job interviews and workplace interactions.

    Our Building Confidence in Communication qualifications are Ofqual-regulated and are specifically written for learners who don’t hold a qualification at Level 1 or above. The ‘Communication for Interviews and the Workplace’ suite within this portfolio enables students to develop oracy skills essential for interview success, CV presentation, and effective communication in professional settings. By fostering discussion on workplace topics, these qualifications build and strengthen skills vital for communication and relationship-building at work.


    ESB’s ‘Building Confidence in Communication’ Qualifications: Real Impact at Abbey Hill Academy and College

    Over the last three years, ESB has gathered and analysed data from Abbey Hill Academy and College, a special school in Stoke on Trent. The results reveal valuable insights into how our ‘Building Confidence in Communication’ qualifications help learners achieve meaningful progress in essential communication skills, which are key for the workplace and beyond:

    • Communicates clearly and connects with the audience: 80% of learners made progress (1LP), and 20% made further progress (2LP).

    • Structures a presentation appropriately: 60% of learners showed progress (1LP), while 40% made further progress (2LP).
    • Presents and explains a process:
      70% of learners made progress (1LP), with an additional 20% achieving further progress (2LP).
    • Elaborates on information:
      80% of learners improved (1LP), and 20% made further progress (2LP).

    • Answers questions clearly and fully: 70% of learners made progress (1LP).
    • Asks relevant, open questions: 90% of learners made progress (1LP).

    • Demonstrates active listening:100% of learners showed progress (1LP).

    Levels of Progress (LP) are based on teacher judgments and communicate a learner’s progression in skill and knowledge acquisition over time. For our Building Confidence in Communication qualifications, these judgments rely on the following ESB grade descriptors: Developing, Emerging, Established and Consolidated.

    Crowdys Hill School Success Story

    A powerful video featured in this week’s campaign shares testimonials from partner schools, including Villiers Park Educational Trust’s School – Crowdys Hill School – a special educational needs school in Swindon.

    We’ve been working with the English Speaking Board for a number of years and students in our sixth form are put forward for the Entry Level 3 Award in Inspiring Confidence in Employability, we aligned our existing careers coursework to the topics of the ESB objectives and students also put together a presentation about work experience or a hobby.

    The assessors are brilliant; they understand the setting completely and are really encouraging with students when they give their presentations and simulate the phone calls. They also go through student CVs and speak to each one individually about their aspirations. As well as being a valuable nationally recognised qualification, we’ve seen a noticeable increase amongst students in the confidence in public speaking but more importantly social interaction.

    Ben Vickery, Careers Lead at Crowdys Hill School shares how ESB qualifications have positively impacted his learners

    Make Oracy for All a reality

    ESB’s ‘Oracy for All’ campaign underscores ESB’s mission to make life-changing communication skills accessible to every learner. To learn more about ESB’s qualifications, click here to join our webinar on Tuesday, 26th November, at 4.00 pm for an in-depth look at how these qualifications can make a real difference to the lives of individuals. 

    If you cannot attend the webinar, you can reach out to ESB’s Business Strategy Team at business@esbuk.org for additional resources and information. ESB is proud to be making a difference – empowering every learner to help achieve their full potential in the workplace and beyond.

  • ESB launches Week 2 of its ‘Oracy for All’ Campaign: Enhancing educational outcomes

    English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. is excited to announce the second week of its ongoing campaign, “Oracy for All”. This week, we are focusing on the theme, “Oracy for School and Education”, highlighting the vital role of oracy in enhancing educational experiences and outcomes for all learners, particularly those with significant learning needs.

    Why Oracy Matters?

    A report by the Sutton Trust reveals that students who are articulate and can express themselves effectively, are more likely to pursue higher education and go on to secure professional employment. These verbal communication skills are critical for social mobility, emphasising how oracy can shape future opportunities.

    Over the past three years, ESB has collected and analysed data from Abbey Hill Academy and College, a special school located in Stoke on Trent, offering valuable insights into learner progress following the completion of ESB’s oracy qualifications.

    For learners measured against national curriculum statements for KS3:

    • 70% of learners improved their proficiency in two key areas:
    • Using Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contexts.
    • Enhancing their ability to use role, intonation, tone, volume, mood, silence, stillness, and action to add impact.
    • 65% of learners demonstrated improvements in speaking confidently, audibly, and fluently, with an additional 5% showing further significant progress.
    •  60% of learners showed improvement in participating in formal debates and/or discussions, summarising and building on what has been said, with 10% advancing even further.

    Tina Renshaw, ESB’s Chief Executive, says:

    In our commitment to unlocking potential through speaking and listening skills, we recognise that oracy is not just an add-on; it is an essential component of effective education. By developing these skills, we enable learners with significant learning needs to engage fully in their academic lives, enhancing their confidence and communication abilities. ESB’s assessment methodology provides real opportunity for learners to exert individual agency and learners feel more confident after completing their assessment.

    Oracy Teacher Resources designed specifically for learners with significant learning needs

    To support educators in fostering oracy skills in the classroom, ESB offers a comprehensive range of Teacher Resources, specifically designed to help isolate and practice effective speaking and listening skills. These resources include three groups of activities:

    • Everyday interaction
    • Giving a presentation
    • Fine-tuning the message

    These activities can be easily adapted for students working at various levels, ensuring that all learners can benefit from them. They can be adapted and differentiated for students working at different levels, and there are also some tips on inclusive practice in the classroom.

    Real Voices, Real Impact

    We have a long-standing relationship with English Speaking Board, and all of our students have the opportunity to take the assessment each year. At Aurora Foxes, our aim is to prepare all our students to be ‘work ready, life ready’ and English Speaking Board qualifications help us to achieve this.

    Mark Costello, Principal at Aurora Foxes Academy Somerset

    “ESB’s Oracy qualifications are extremely adaptable and inclusive, so every student, regardless of their starting point, obtains an opportunity to flourish. As educators, you can watch them pushing their limits and accomplishing things nobody ever thought possible.”

    ESB Assessor, Sunil Naphray


    Join the Conversation

    Are you an educator, parent, or SEND specialist eager to learn more about how oracy can make a difference in education? Click here to join us for an insightful webinar on Tuesday 26th November at 4:00 pm, where we will explore how ESB’s Oracy qualifications can significantly enhance learning outcomes for all learners.

    For more information about ESB’s qualifications and to register for the webinar, please click here. If you have any questions or enquiries, please feel free to reach out to our Business Strategy Team at business@esbuk.org.

    Together, let’s ensure every learner has the opportunity to develop essential oracy skills that will benefit them in the classroom and beyond.