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)
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
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.
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.
