English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Category: ESOL International

  • ESB Singapore Roadshow 2026: Bringing Oracy, ESOL and Communication Excellence to Singapore

    ESB Singapore Roadshow 2026: Bringing Oracy, ESOL and Communication Excellence to Singapore

    ESB Singapore Roadshow 2026: Bringing Oracy, ESOL and Communication Excellence to Singapore

    International schools across Singapore are preparing for a new academic year, and ESB International is looking forward to joining the conversation.

    This September, ESB International’s Chief Executive, Adrian Gallagher, and Head of Commercial, Jonathan Smith, will visit Singapore as part of the ESB Singapore Roadshow, a week-long programme of meetings with international schools and education stakeholders from 21-25 September 2026.

    The roadshow has been created to strengthen existing relationships, develop new partnerships and explore how schools can further support learners through oracy, public speaking, debating, enrichment opportunities and English language development.

    Supporting Learners Through Communication

    For more than 70 years, English Speaking Board (ESB) has been helping learners develop the communication skills they need to succeed in education, employment and life.

    As a UK educational charity and awarding organisation, ESB has built a reputation for delivering qualifications that place communication, confidence and progression at their heart. From Early Years through to post-16 education, our qualifications support learners in developing the skills required to express themselves effectively, participate confidently and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

    Today, schools and centres around the globe use ESB qualifications to support:

    • Oracy and spoken communication
    • Public speaking and presentations
    • Debating and critical thinking
    • Performance and self-expression
    • EAL and ESOL provision
    • Enrichment and learner development

    These areas are becoming increasingly important as schools look to prepare young people for future study, employment and global citizenship.

    Building on Our Work with Tanglin Trust School

    The roadshow also builds upon ESB’s growing presence within Singapore’s international education sector through our relationship with Tanglin Trust School, one of the region’s most respected international schools.

    Tanglin Trust School has long been recognised for its commitment to educational excellence, learner development and enrichment. The relationship has provided valuable insight into the priorities and opportunities facing international schools in Singapore and further reinforces ESB’s commitment to supporting communication-focused education within the region.

    As we continue to develop our work in Singapore, we are keen to engage with schools that share our belief in the importance of communication skills and learner confidence as foundations for lifelong success.

    Why Meet ESB During the Singapore Roadshow?

    The start of the academic year presents an ideal opportunity for schools to review and enhance areas such as:

    🗣️ Oracy & Enrichment

    Developing confident communicators through meaningful enrichment opportunities.

    🎤 Public Speaking & Debating

    Creating opportunities for learners to speak with confidence and think critically.

    🌍 EAL & ESOL

    Supporting English language proficiency, progression and global opportunity.

    The ESB Singapore Roadshow offers school leaders and education professionals the opportunity to meet directly with ESB’s senior leadership team to discuss how these priorities can be embedded within curriculum and enrichment programmes.

    Whether you are a Head of School, Head of English, EAL Coordinator, Performing Arts Lead, Enrichment Lead or classroom practitioner, we would welcome the opportunity to learn more about your school and its ambitions for the year ahead.

    Register your interest today

    If your school is reviewing its approach to communication skills, enrichment, public speaking, debating, EAL or ESOL for the 2026-27 academic year, we would be delighted to hear from you.

    Schools interested in meeting with ESB during the Singapore Roadshow can:

    ✅ Book a meeting with ESB representatives during our visit

    ✅ Register their interest for a future conversations outside from our visit

    ✅ Learn more about ESB’s qualifications in oracy, communication skills and ESOL

    ✅ Explore potential partnership opportunities

    Meeting availability is limited and appointments are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • ESB Customer Experience Team Shortlisted for Customer Service Excellence Award

    ESB Customer Experience Team Shortlisted for Customer Service Excellence Award

    ESB Customer Experience Team Shortlisted for Customer Service Excellence Award

    We are delighted to announce that ESB’s Customer Experience Team has been shortlisted for the Customer Service Excellence Award at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Qualifications & Assessment Excellence Awards 2026. The shortlist was revealed on 10 July 2026 as part of the 11th annual awards, which celebrate outstanding achievement across the UK’s qualifications and assessment sector.


    Being named a finalist is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication, professionalism and commitment our Customer Experience Team demonstrates every day in supporting ESB centres, learners and stakeholders across the UK and internationally.


    The FAB Awards recognise organisations, teams and individuals that are making an exceptional contribution to the qualifications and assessment industry. This year’s awards attracted more than 120 entries from across the sector, with FAB Chief Executive Rob Nitsch CBE describing the quality and breadth of submissions as evidence of a sector that continues to innovate and deliver during a period of significant change.


    ESB’s Customer Experience Team is one of five finalists shortlisted in the Customer Service Excellence Award category, alongside AAT, DSW, NCFE Customer Support Team and SIAS.


    The nomination recognises the consistently high standards of customer support delivered by the team, including an outstanding 96% customer satisfaction score. From supporting centres with registration and assessment processes to providing responsive guidance throughout the academic year, the team plays a vital role in ensuring that centres receive the support they need to deliver ESB qualifications successfully.


    While we are proud to celebrate this recognition, our focus remains firmly on supporting our centres. As many centres continue their academic year activities throughout the summer months, our Customer Experience Team will continue providing the high-quality service and support that has earned this national recognition. At the same time, preparations are already underway for the next academic year, ensuring centres can continue to rely on ESB’s customer-first approach.


    The winners will be announced at the FAB Qualifications & Assessment Excellence Awards ceremony on Thursday 26 November 2026, taking place during the FAB Conference and Exhibition at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Milton Keynes.


    We would like to thank every member of our Customer Experience Team for their hard work, passion and commitment, and extend our gratitude to our centres for their continued trust and partnership.


    Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists — and roll on November! 🏆✨

  • Strengthening Our Partnership with Europalso

    ESB International was delighted to reaffirm our long-standing and successful partnership with Europalso at a professional seminar this past weekend, represented by our Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, and Chief Assessor, Anthea Wilson. The seminar was hosted for Europalo’s language school owners and offered a great opportunity for training, collaboration and networking.

    Europalso president George Zikopolous, and ESB International CEO Tina Renshaw speaking to Europalso language school owners.
    ESB International CEO, Tina Renshaw, delivers updates to over 150 Europalso language schools.

    ESB International was on hand to discuss another strong academic year, as well as outlining what the future holds for our work in Greece:

    ✅ 17 years of partnership – delivering high-quality ESOL International assessments for Greek learners.
    ✅ Innovation in assessment – from adult online assessments to our online assessor training platform, ensuring quality and accessibility.
    ✅ Outstanding May 2025 results:

    • B1 learners achieved their best overall results since 2020.
    • B2 candidates demonstrated strong language control and lexis above level expectations.
    • C1 performance was among the highest since 2020, with significant improvements in writing.
    • C2 candidates excelled in listening, reading and use of English skills

    ✅ 168 oral assessors delivered 100% error-free administration, and results were delivered faster than ever.

    Looking ahead:

    • A 10-year collaboration plan, ESB-designed e-certificates, and continued growth in online learning and webinars.
    • ESB International will also be hosting an upcoming webinar on 6th November to support continued CPD for our online assessments.

    The trip also represented Tina’s final visit to Europalso ahead of her departure from ESB International at the end of the year after 9 years as Chief Executive.

    Europalso has always made ESB feel incredibly welcome, and I’m deeply grateful for the trust and partnership we continue to share. Your unwavering commitment to ESB International, and to the learners we serve, makes me incredibly proud and gives me every confidence for the years ahead. 

    Tina Renshaw, Chief Executive, ESB International

    Our commitment to Europalso, language school owners and learners remains unwavering. Thank you to the Europalso community for your enduring trust and partnership.

  • ESB Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, to step down after 9 years

    After nine years at the helm of English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB International), our Chief Executive Tina Renshaw is stepping down from her role. During her tenure, Tina has led the organisation through a period of growth and transformation, championing the values of accessible, high-quality assessment and communication skills for all. We thank her for her dedication and visionary leadership.

    Tina has shared a personal statement reflecting on her time with ESB International, which you can read below.

    Dear Centres, teachers and tutors,

    I will be leaving my role as CEO of ESB International  at the end of October, as I know that the time is right for me to find a new challenge and for the organisation to embrace new leadership and ideas.

    For 9 years  I have loved this leadership opportunity and feel that the whole ESB International team evolved a new phase for this wonderful organisation of which I am truly proud. To hear  everyday of our impact on your children, young people and adults is life affirming and humbling – their improved Oracy skills or English language skills earning them a qualification. Yet our work together with you as centre organisers, exam teams, teachers, tutors and for your learners creates far much more than that- it grows their  confidence, sense of agency and self respect, they feel the affirmation of achievement, of being listened to when speaking and experience the acceptance and service of learning from and listening to others.

    Tina visiting primary school learners at Broadfields Primary School in Barnet.
    Tina visiting Broadfields School, a primary school in Barnet that has been delivering ESB’s oracy qualifications for over 10 years.
    Tina at the Europalso annual conference.
    ESB International’s Tina Renshaw and Chief Assessor, Anthea Wilson (left), attending the Europalso annual conference. ESB and Europalso have been working together for over 15 years.

    Importantly the ESB International family have also ensured that the legacies of our founders Christabel Burniston MBE and Jocelyn Bell were honoured through our outreach work and showcased in our 70th anniversary celebrations with you, our learners and centres. A wonderful external accolade for our work together was being recognised as Awarding Organisation of the Year in 2023. 

    So ESB International  has begun  a new phase with its search for its next CEO. If you or someone you know is  looking for such an organisation and role: to develop its amazing reputation and grow its reach as an Awarding Organisation and charity, do delve deeper into the information – you have a magnificent team waiting to create and deliver the next chapter with you.

    Thank you for your loyalty to ESB International.

    Tina Renshaw, Chief Executive
    A photo including Tina Renshaw taken at Belfast Metropolitan College's Supported Learning Centre.
    Tina visiting learners at the Supported Learning Centre at Belfast Metropolitan College

    The Honorary Treasurer of ESB International’s Board of Trustees, Dr Jim McAtear, has offered his appreciation for Tina’s many contributions and longstanding commitment to the organisation.

    A group photo including Tina Renshaw taken at ESB International's 70th anniversary celebration at New City College.
    Tina with ESOL Skills for Life learners at New City College, a valued partner who hosted a day of celebration as part of ESB International’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
    A picture of ESB International's Honorary Treasurer, Dr Jim McAtear

    It is with great regret that we begin to say goodbye to Tina Renshaw, our Chief Executive Officer who will leave us in October of this year.. Tina announced her resignation just this week and, in doing so, brings an end to nine years at the helm. She has steered ESB International successfully through to its 70th year as an awarding body as well as its recognition as Awarding Body of the Year in 2023. Tina’s work has ensured the success of our mission to improve the oracy skill, and therefore, the confidence of children, and the social mobility of young people and has promoted the value and benefits of learning English across the globe. We are grateful to Tina for everything she has given and achieved.

    Dr Jim McAtear, Honorary Treasurer
    Board of Trustees