Author: Liam Morton

ESB International has been monitoring the Coronavirus situation as it relates to our work together and as a responsible employer.

I know you will be adhering to all Public Health or government guidance and direction as relevant to your country. ESB International has advised its employees and assessors accordingly. We have asked assessors to inform us of any need to self isolate or quarantine.

I wanted to outline therefore the potential impacts:

• There may be instances where a previously confirmed booking requiring assessors can no longer be satisfied by ESB International. We will make every effort to satisfy them however should we be unable, no charges will be applied and you will be able to cancel and amend this booking for a future date
• Should your centre be closed by a management decision or you choose not to go ahead with a booking,  please cancel and amend your booking for a future date, so that assessors are advised of the change. Again no cancellation fee will be charged

Should you have any questions please contact us via  customer@esbuk.org

ESOL Skills for Life Centres, we would like to involve you in an exciting new ESB initiative!

This is your opportunity to help us recognise, reward and celebrate outstanding learners and teachers.

We firmly believe that all learners should possess the oracy and English language skills they need to achieve their aspirations and our ESOL Skills for Life Awards are a prominent way to promote this belief.

Please get involved and nominate individuals for the following awards:

Burniston Bell Award
Named in honour of our founder, Christabel Burniston and our Honorary President, Jocelyn Bell, this award recognises teachers who play a critical role in supporting ESB learners to realise their full potential and achieve their aspirations. Other criteria for this accolade are as follows:

• The teacher creates a positive learning environment for learners.
• The teacher has enabled learners to succeed where they may otherwise have become discouraged.
• The teacher encourages and goes the second mile for learner.
• The teacher creates an inclusive, learning environment for learners.
• The teacher uses innovative teaching and learning methodology.

Please click here to nominate a teacher.

Spirit of ESB Award
The learner is a truly inspirational individual who has made a significant impact on you, continually demonstrating their dedication to improving their learning. Other criteria for this accolade are as follows:

• The learner has demonstrated outstanding commitment to their studies despite significant barriers to learning.
• The learner has demonstrated progression in their learning whilst overcoming barriers.
• The learner has worked together with teachers and students in order to create a positive learning environment.

Please click here to nominate learners.

Selected winners of the Spirit of ESB Award will be invited to demonstrate their skills at a planned June showcase which will celebrate their ESOL journeys and achievements. We would also love all individuals who nominate teachers and learners to join us on this special day.

Update: Product Launch – Level 1 Speech Pathways

Following the successful launch of the Level 2 Speech Pathways qualification in October 2019, we are very pleased to announce the development of an updated and improved ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2). We have listened to feedback from our centres requesting greater choice and flexibility for learners. This new qualification will be launched for the academic year 2020/2021.

Below is a short description of each pathway option:

• Speech to Connect – This option is the existing Grade 2 assessment, which includes the following sections: Personal Interest Talk, Speaking by Heart; Reading to Listeners; and Open Exchange of Ideas.

In addition, there are three new pathways:

• Speech to Inform – This option is designed to strengthen learners understanding of an important Key Stage 2-3 curriculum topic, as well as encouraging the development of interests in current national and local issues.
• Speech to Perform – This option is designed to encourage learners to be creative. In particular, this pathway will give learners the opportunity to compose and perform their own self-composition.
• Speech for Employability – This option is designed to introduce learners to the world of business and entrepreneurship. It provides learners with an opportunity to not only give a talk about a famous or successful businessperson, but also deliver a pitch for an existing or an invented product or service.

This pathway-based qualification will be part of our Graded Examinations in Speech portfolio and it is predominantly targeted at Key Stage 2-3 learners, but it is not restricted to this group. We will be piloting this qualification over the next few months, and we will be reviewing its effectiveness based on feedback from our pilot centres.

What happens now?

• As part of launching this updated and improved ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2), we are withdrawing the existing qualification to remain regulatory compliant (Ofqual number: 501/1664/2).
• For the existing qualification, the last date of registration is 30/06/2020 and the last date of certification is 31/08/2020.

The aim of this qualification development is to provide progression from Level 1 to Level 2, enabling learners to further their interests and deepen their knowledge. Your learners can still choose the traditional route to obtain the ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2). Your learners can continue to prepare for, and undertake, the established L1 Grade 2 assessment as they have done in the past as it remains a Level 1 Speech Pathways option (Speech to Connect).

With regard to the updating and improved ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2), each pathway can help learners to clearly structure and communicate information, provide reasons to support ideas and opinions, and ask questions that deepens knowledge and understanding of a topic. Through these four pathways, the qualification allows learners to develop their communication skills in a way that suits them, playing to their strengths and interests.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions, but if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at: product@esbuk.org or alternatively you may wish to speak to our Senior Product Developer, Mark Crosher on: 01695 573439 (extension 218).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will withdrawing the existing ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2) at the end of the academic year 2019/20 have a significant impact on my centre and learners?
A: No. We will withdraw the existing qualification, and replace it with and updated and improved version, in a smooth and timely manner. There will be no disruption to your centre and learners.

Q: When will the updated ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2) come into effect and be available to book?
A: The updated qualification will be launched, and be available to book, from 1^st September 2020.

Q: Can my learners continue to take the current Grade 2 assessment, which involves the Talk, Speaking by Heart, Reading to Listeners and Open Exchange of Ideas?
A: Yes, your learners can continue to take this assessment. It is now called the Speech to Connect pathway.

Q: Do I need to prepare my learners differently for the assessment of the updated qualification?
A: For the Speech to Connect pathway, you should prepare learners for the assessment as you have done previously. There is no need to change your teaching for the updated qualification. However, if you choose one of our additional pathways, you will need to adjust your teaching, so that it reflects the requirements of the new assessment sections. We will be providing you with teacher guides and support materials in due course, to ensure that your teaching of the new pathways is as smooth as possible.