Category: Important Announcements

  • Looking Ahead: Enhancing Your Digital Experience with ESB International

    At English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB International), we are proud to work alongside our centres in delivering high-quality qualifications that make a real difference to learners. As we continue to grow and evolve, so too does our commitment to improving the digital experience for our centres.

    Over recent months, our team has been working diligently to upgrade the digital infrastructure that supports the booking and delivery of our assessments. These enhancements will bring about a more robust, efficient, and reliable platform—particularly during peak times in the academic year.

    When these upgrades go live in the early autumn, you can expect a smoother, more stable experience across both our website and the ‘MyESB’ booking hub. For most of our centres, particularly our UK-based centres, the changes will be relatively minor. However, for some of our overseas centres, especially those offering our Oracy qualifications, the changes will be more impactful. Rest assured that our team will be on hand to guide you through any updates to the booking process, ensuring a seamless transition into the new academic year.

    We understand how important continuity and clarity are to your operations. That’s why we are committed to communicating any changes in advance and offering the support you need to adapt with confidence. We truly value your continued loyalty and the vital role you play in supporting learners across the UK and internationally. As the summer break begins, we wish you and your teams a well-earned rest and look forward to reconnecting in the new term—with an enhanced digital experience to support you every step of the way.

  • 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.

  • Notice to Centres: revised specifications for ESB Level 3 Certificate in Speech (Grades 6 & 8)

    Notice for all ESB Speech UK and International centres:

    Following a review of our Level 3 Speech qualifications, we have made some changes to the grade descriptors at Grade 6 and Grade 8. It is no longer necessary for learners to memorise their texts for the Literature Interpretation at Grade 6 or the literary recommendation at Grade 8.

    Furthermore, the wording of seven grade descriptors at Grade 8 have been amended to make them clearer, more consistent and fairer for learners. This is following feedback from tutors, learners and assessors and reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that our learners gain the vital communication skills that will enable them to thrive in education and work.

    These changes apply for all assessments from October 2024. Please see the specifications and the teacher resources on our website https://esbuk.org/web/our-teacher-resources/speech-resources/teacher-resources-for-graded-examinations-in-speech-advanced/ .

  • Important Centre Notice – Refreshed Centre Handbooks

    ESB introduces new handbooks for each of its centres – available to download today.

    Designed to streamline the ESB journey for our centres and to enable them to find information more easily, our master Centre Handbook has been split into three new individual Centre Handbooks.

    ESOL Skills for Life centres

    New ESB Handbook for Skills for Life centres:

    • Learner preparation 
    • Step-by-step booking process 
    • Plan your assessment day by creating an efficient running order
    • Planning your Reading and Writing assessments including instructions for your invigilators 

    Speech centres

    New ESB Handbook for Speech Centres based in the UK. For Speech Centres operating outside of the UK, we already have a Handbook for your centre here.

    • Step-by-step booking process 
    • Links to useful videos  
    • Assessment rules and regulations poster for you to display 
    • Guidance for assessment timings and recommended learner numbers per day

    Centres offering ICE qualifications

    Our centres delivering ESB ICE qualifications can also access detailed guidance regarding centre-assessed components within our brand new ESB Handbook for Centre Assessed Qualifications. The following items are discussed in this Handbook but please ensure that it is used in tandem with your Speech Handbook

    • Centre staff requirements 
    • Internal quality assurance 
    • Moderation process and feedback 

    If you are an existing ESB centre, please start consulting the new Centre Handbooks immediately. They are available to download on our Policies and Procedures page.


    If you have any questions about our new Centre Handbooks, please contact our Quality Assurance Department.