English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Author: Liam Morton

  • Are you looking for an ESOL Skills for Life qualification?

    English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) assess ESOL Skills for Life from Entry 1 to Level 2 in all modes. Our assessments are funded by the SFA.

    All ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are based on the ESOL Core Curriculum and are accredited by Ofqual.

    What can ESB do for your students?

    1. External Assessment

    • All assessments are examined externally by ESB leaving you free to teach
    • Reading and writing papers are marked and moderated by ESB markers
    • Speaking and listening learners receive a personal written report

    ​2. Quick Turnaround

    • Dates for the assessments are chosen by you so you can organise assessment dates around your timetable
    • Speaking and listening assessments can be booked up to 4 weeks before the assessment date and Reading and Writing assessments can be booked up to 2 days before the assessment date, so you can enter your learners when they are ready
    • Results will be issued five working days after the assessment date or, in the case of Reading and Writing, five days after receipt of papers to the office

    3. Online Resources

    • Examples of assessments at every level are available on our website: Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1, Level 2
    • Speaking and listening videos are available on the ESB website for practice and mock examinations

  • ESB Level 3 qualifications carry UCAS tariff points

    English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.’s Advanced Grade Qualifications in Speech (Grades 6 – 8) are accepted by the UK Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and will carry the following UCAS Tariff points for university and HE entry from 2017:

     

    Grade 6

    Pass 8

    Merit 10

    Distinction 12

    Grade 8

    Pass 24

    Merit 27

    Distinction 30

    These Tariff points will be used for applications submitted for the 2017 admissions cycle onwards (i.e. for students making applications from September 2016 for full-time courses starting from September 2017).

    ESB’s Level 3 qualifications are Certificate in Graded Examination in Speech: ESB Level 3 Certificate in Speech (Grade 6), Certificate in Graded Examination in Speech: Language Arts (Grade 8) and ESB Level 3 Certificate in Speech (Grade 8).

    For more information please refer to the UCAS website.

  • ESB announces partnership with The Noisy Classroom

    ESB is proud to announce its partnership with The Noisy Classroom, a website and training organisation dedicated to supporting speaking and listening across the curriculum.

    The director, Debbie Newman, is a qualified English teacher, a former President of the Cambridge Union Society, a world champion debate coach and a former assessor for the English Speaking Board.

    She has gathered together a band of associate trainers whose experience includes working at the English-Speaking Union, the National Theatre and the City Lit.

    These trainers run workshops for students and CPD events for teachers in debating, public speaking and drama. The organisation works with Linklaters to run debating in Hackney primary schools and with the PiXL club to run a national secondary debate programme called “Up for Debate”. The website is full of free to access videos and resources for the classroom.

    Debbie explained the ethos:

    The Noisy Classroom is passionate about helping children to become articulate and confident adults.

    All of our lives we will be judged based on our ability with the spoken word. Whether it is going for a school, university or job interview, delivering a pitch or a presentation, arguing in court or working in telesales, our speaking powers can help us achieve our goals.

    The organisation places particular emphasis on debating; she explained:

    Debating is Oracy Plus. That is because as well as teaching the skills of public speaking, it also develops critical thinking. These skills in turn improve essay writing and examination performance.

    She added:

    That is why The Noisy Classroom is delighted that the English Speaking Board has added debating to its suite of excellent qualifications in oral communication.

  • An ESB qualification shows employers that you can communicate, says CBI’s North West Director

    ESB improves employability skills

    Damian Waters, Director of CBI in the North West said that his ESB qualification “most definitely” gave him employability skills. He said:

    My ESB examination was my first experience of public speaking, but I think one of my key strengths now is public engagement and presentations.

    Damian says that ESB played a key role in his personal and professional development:

    ESB started me off on the right track and gave me that initial confidence to find my voice.

    He added:

    An ESB qualification is great to have and be able to show employers that you can engage with colleagues, clients and customers.

    He recalled his experience of taking his ESB exam over 30 years ago:

    I remember that I had to make a speech to a panel of assessors and other pupils from my school and recite a poem that was committed to memory. I can still remember the poem today!

    I can clearly remember the feedback I received from the assessors; they spoke about the importance of being myself, engaging with the audience and presenting in a professional manner. I make dozens of speeches each year and I still try to stick to those words of advice.

    Damian passed on some words of guidance to youngsters preparing for presentations:

    Prepare properly, but don’t learn a script as it can come across as a bit fake. Always remember that the audience wants to enjoy the experience – they are willing you on!