English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Category: ESOL Skills for Life

  • 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

  • Join ESB International at NATECLA: a Smarter Approach to ESOL Assessment

    English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB International) is proud to be attending this year’s NATECLA National Conference, taking place from 27th–28th June. As a long-standing supporter of the ESOL community, we’re excited to connect with professionals across the sector to demonstrate how our approach to ESOL assessment not only enhances learner outcomes but also reduces tutor workload, improving overall wellbeing. 

    As part of our involvement, ESB International is pleased to sponsor the delegate badges at this year’s event. We will be well-represented throughout the conference at our stand in the exhibition area, where we’ll be sharing how our externally assessed ESOL Skills for Life qualifications can deliver real value to your provision. Whether you’re considering a shift from internal assessments or looking to improve your current external approach, we welcome the opportunity to speak with you. 

    Come and meet our team, including Tina Renshaw (Chief Executive) and Alan Brierley (Business Strategy Manager), and learn how we can support your organisation in delivering high-quality, meaningful assessments that work for learners and educators alike. 

    Don’t miss our practical ESOL workshop

    We’re also excited to be delivering a workshop that offers direct takeaways for classroom practice.

    This workshop is open to all interested ESOL practitioners. 

    Workshop: Assess your Learners’ Reading Skills 
    Presenter: Anthea Wilson, ESB International’s Chief Assessor
    Date & Time: Saturday 29th June, 10:45–11:45am 
    What to Expect: A hands-on CPD session that guides ESOL tutors in creating effective reading assessment materials—practical, ready-to-use content that can be applied in the classroom right away. 

    If you’re unable to attend the conference or would prefer to explore our qualifications in a more personalised setting, we also offer informal one-to-one introductions with our team. To arrange a conversation at your convenience, simply click the button below to book a meeting.

    Book a meeting

    We look forward to seeing many of you at NATECLA and continuing to support the incredible work being done across the ESOL sector. 

  • Notice to Centres: change to ESOL Skills for Life Entry 3 Writing Assessment

    Following a review of our qualifications and feedback from our centres, we are increasing the time allowed for ESB Entry Level Award ESOL Skills for Life (Writing) Entry 3) from 60 minutes to 70 minutes. This is to ensure that learners can plan, write and review their responses in the time provided, and takes effect immediately, for all Entry 3 Writing assessments from October 2024.

    We have therefore issued a new version of the Entry 3 Writing specifications to update the time permitted to 70 minutes. We have also issued new versions of the Reading and Writing specifications at all levels, with some additional information on the punctuation that is expected at each level. The Specifications and sample papers are on our website here https://esbuk.org/web/our-teacher-resources/esol-skills-for-life-resources/ .

    Change to the safeguarding procedure for learners under 18 and vulnerable adults

    From October 2024, the member of staff who is in the assessment room with learners under 18 and vulnerable adults will stay for the whole assessment, including the listening section. Centre staff in the assessment room may not take notes or participate in the assessment, but must be present at all times when assessors are with young people and/or vulnerable adults.

  • Funding Information

    The Department for Education (DfE) has recently carried out an exercise to streamline the number of qualifications available for government funding. 

    This is to confirm that, from 1st August 2022, the following English Speaking Board (International) Ltd (ESB International) qualifications will no longer be available for government funding:

    • ESB Entry Level Award in Introducing Oral Skills for Interviews (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Communicating with Art (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Communicating with Drama (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Communicating with Music (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Communicating with Others (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Developing Independent Communication Skills (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Developing Oral Interview Skills (Entry 2)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in First Steps in Communicating with Others (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Independent Communication Skills (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Inspiring Confidence in Employability (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Inspiring Confidence in Employability (Entry 2)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Inspiring Confidence in Employability (Entry 3)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Oral Communication in the Community (Entry 2)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Oral Communication with Others (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Oral Interview Skills (Entry 3)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Preparing for Performing Within a Team (Entry 2)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Reading to a Child (Entry 3)
    • ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 5)
    • ESB Level 2 Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life
    • ESB Level 3 Award in Travel and Tourism for Oral Communication Skills for Overseas Resort Representatives

    You can find out more information here.

    To find out information on which ESB qualifications are still funded, please click here: https://esbuk.org/web/funding/external-funding/

    Don’t worry though, you can still deliver these qualifications and you may also be able to access our Christabel Burniston Fund. 

    Please contact our business development team for more information: business@esbuk.org.