I used to see reading a book as a punishment… and now it’s one of my favourite hobbies.
ESB learner
Research shows that children who read for pleasure achieve higher academic success and enhanced well-being. According to the National Literacy Trust, young people who enjoy reading are three times more likely to have higher mental well-being compared to those who do not.
Through ESB’s unique oracy assessments, learners are encouraged to develop their speaking and listening skills by engaging with literature in meaningful ways, boosting reading for pleasure.
Says ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:
At ESB, we believe in nurturing confident, expressive young people who find joy and connection through books. By promoting reading for pleasure, we empower learners to unlock a lifelong love of literature and self-expression. ESB’s oracy qualifications provide structured opportunities for learners to read aloud and discuss books of their choice.
Below you can find 3 videos of learners undertaking our qualifications across primary, secondary and post 16, reading from their favourite book.
Penelope-Rae (Primary level)
Freddie (Secondary level)
Siyon (16+)
ESB Staff join the celebration
To further celebrate World Book Day, ESB’s staff are also embracing this initiative. Staff members were invited to record a short video recommending a book and reading an excerpt, reinforcing the message that reading is a lifelong joy, no matter how old you are!
Contact business@esbuk.org today and we would be delighted to discuss how our qualifications can support learners in developing their love of reading!
English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) launches Week 4 of its ‘Oracy for All’ campaign, designed to reach out to, and empower more learners with significant learning needs through its ambitious and inclusive oracy qualifications.
Oracy for Independent Living and Social Interaction
‘Spoken language is crucial for successfully navigating social interactions and different cultural contexts. Strong oracy skills enable children and young people to express their feelings, advocate for their beliefs, and build and maintain healthy relationships.’ The National Literacy Trust quoted in the Oracy Education Commission’s 2024 Report
Oracy Education Commission Evidence
‘59% of children say strong communication skills make them feel happier.’
PEARSON SCHOOL REPORT, (written evidence to the OEC Commission 2024)
‘52% of parents say their children (aged 5-9 years old) are struggling to make friends because they lack self-confidence in speaking to others.’
ESU POLLING, (written evidence to the OEC Commission 2024)
At ESB, we provide communication-rich experiences that build confidence in every learner, empowering them to advocate for themselves and navigate daily life with self-assurance and independence.
This week emphasises how strong communication skills are not only essential in the classroom, but also foundational to self-advocacy, autonomy, and fulfilling interactions in the community. For learners with significant learning needs, these skills are even more vital for everyday tasks and for forming and maintaining meaningful relationships.
For over 10 years, ESB has provided specialist opportunities for learners with significant additional needs to succeed and this commitment is ongoing. We wholeheartedly believe that developing oral communication strategies is one of the keys to living an independent life. For those learners who experience challenges with communication, the priority is to develop their confidence when interacting with others, enabling them to deal effectively with the practicalities of daily life.
Tina Renshaw, Chief Executive of English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.
Our Qualifications
ESB offers qualifications called Communicationfor Independent Living and Social Interaction, a part of our suite of Building Confidence in Communication oracy qualifications for learners with significant learning needs.
As part of the qualification, learners will be able to:
Section 1: Acknowledge or Respond to a greeting (Entry 1) / Communicate about living independently (Entry 2)
Section 2: Answer Questions / Tell a group about something of personal interest (Entry 1) / Read a short text out loud (Entry 2)
Section 3: Be part of an audience / Join a group activity (Entry 1) / Make a telephone call to the emergency services (Entry 2)
Section 4: Respond to a farewell / Show support as a listener (Entry 1) / Support the communication of others in the group (Entry 2)
Our group-based approach to assessment, seamlessly integrated into any curriculum, is designed to support learners to become more independent, enabling them to confidently engage in activities and social exchanges
Belfast Met College, a long-standing partner of ESB, has witnessed the profound impact these qualifications have on their students with significant learning difficulties and disabilities.
Belfast Met has had the honour of working with ESB and has witnessed first-hand the transformative impact that ESB qualifications have on individuals’ lives, supporting nearly 2,000 students with learning difficulties and disabilities. As a result, our students can now communicate independently, not just in the college setting, but also in their wider community.
Belfast Met College
Our Teacher Resources
To support educators in fostering oracy skills in the classroom, ESB offers a comprehensive range of teacher resources, specifically designed to help isolate and practice effective speaking and listening skills.
These resources include three groups of activities:
These activities can be easily adapted for students working at various levels, ensuring that all learners can benefit from them. There are also various tips on inclusive practice in the classroom.
Make ‘Oracy for All’ a Reality
ESB’s ‘Oracy for All’ campaign underscores ESB’s mission to make life-changing communication skills accessible to every learner.
To learn more about ESB’s qualifications, join our webinar on Tuesday the 26th of November at 4.00pm for an in-depth look at how these qualifications can make a real difference to the lives of individuals.
If you are unable to attend the webinar, you can reach out to ESB’s Business Strategy Team at business@esbuk.org for additional resources and information.
English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. is excited to announce the second week of its ongoing campaign, “Oracy for All”. This week, we are focusing on the theme, “Oracy for School and Education”, highlighting the vital role of oracy in enhancing educational experiences and outcomes for all learners, particularly those with significant learning needs.
Why Oracy Matters?
A report by the Sutton Trust reveals that students who are articulate and can express themselves effectively, are more likely to pursue higher education and go on to secure professional employment. These verbal communication skills are critical for social mobility, emphasising how oracy can shape future opportunities.
Over the past three years, ESB has collected and analysed data from Abbey Hill Academy and College, a special school located in Stoke on Trent, offering valuable insights into learner progress following the completion of ESB’s oracy qualifications.
For learners measured against national curriculum statements for KS3:
70% of learners improved their proficiency in two key areas:
Using Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contexts.
Enhancing their ability to use role, intonation, tone, volume, mood, silence, stillness, and action to add impact.
65% of learners demonstrated improvements in speaking confidently, audibly, and fluently, with an additional 5% showing further significant progress.
60% of learners showed improvement in participating in formal debates and/or discussions, summarising and building on what has been said, with 10% advancing even further.
Tina Renshaw, ESB’s Chief Executive, says:
In our commitment to unlocking potential through speaking and listening skills, we recognise that oracy is not just an add-on; it is an essential component of effective education. By developing these skills, we enable learners with significant learning needs to engage fully in their academic lives, enhancing their confidence and communication abilities. ESB’s assessment methodology provides real opportunity for learners to exert individual agency and learners feel more confident after completing their assessment.
To support educators in fostering oracy skills in the classroom, ESB offers a comprehensive range of Teacher Resources, specifically designed to help isolate and practice effective speaking and listening skills. These resources include three groups of activities:
Everyday interaction
Giving a presentation
Fine-tuning the message
These activities can be easily adapted for students working at various levels, ensuring that all learners can benefit from them. They can be adapted and differentiated for students working at different levels, and there are also some tips on inclusive practice in the classroom.
Real Voices, Real Impact
We have a long-standing relationship with English Speaking Board, and all of our students have the opportunity to take the assessment each year. At Aurora Foxes, our aim is to prepare all our students to be ‘work ready, life ready’ and English Speaking Board qualifications help us to achieve this.
Mark Costello, Principal at Aurora Foxes Academy Somerset
“ESB’s Oracy qualifications are extremely adaptable and inclusive, so every student, regardless of their starting point, obtains an opportunity to flourish. As educators, you can watch them pushing their limits and accomplishing things nobody ever thought possible.”
ESB Assessor, Sunil Naphray
Join the Conversation
Are you an educator, parent, or SEND specialist eager to learn more about how oracy can make a difference in education? Click hereto join us for an insightful webinar on Tuesday 26th November at 4:00 pm, where we will explore how ESB’s Oracy qualifications can significantly enhance learning outcomes for all learners.
For more information about ESB’s qualifications and to register for the webinar, please click here. If you have any questions or enquiries, please feel free to reach out to our Business Strategy Team at business@esbuk.org.
Together, let’s ensure every learner has the opportunity to develop essential oracy skills that will benefit them in the classroom and beyond.
Research indicates that 80% of learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) experience anxiety and face significant challenges with social interactions and future independence. Without strong communication skills, these individuals risk isolation and limited opportunities in both education and employment. (Report by the Children’s Commissioner for England)
At ESB, we support all learners to develop their Oracy skills and over the next five weeks we’re going to showcase how we support learners with significant learning needs to do just this.
English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) is proud to announce the launch of its new campaign, “Oracy for All,” designed to empower learners with significant learning needs to achieve with its ambitious and inclusive Oracy qualifications.
This exciting five-week campaign will feature a series of engaging videos that highlight the critical role of oracy – the ability to express oneself and communicate effectively – in fostering confidence, independence, and life skills for learners with significant learning needs.
Each week will focus on specific themes, including the power of Oracy, Oracy for independent living and social interaction and Oracy for education and employment.
This initiative aligns with the recent Oracy Education Commission’s report, “We Need to Talk,” which highlights the importance of inclusion in oracy education. You can read more about our response to the report here.
ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw says:
At ESB, we believe that developing effective oracy skills is a fundamental right for everyone. For over 70 years, our mission has been to unlock the potential of children and young people through their speaking and listening skills. Our oracy qualifications are for everybody – they’re ambitious and inclusive, but we know some of our learners with significant learning needs in specialist provision require additional support. These remarkable individuals deserve equal opportunities to access life-changing oracy skills.
That’s why we’ve developed qualifications specifically for this group of learners, enabling them to thrive and flourish with real-world confidence-building, communication-rich opportunities and experiences which result in an ESB Ofqual Regulated qualification. Over the coming weeks, insights from learners, schools, colleges, assessors and experts will be shared to showcase the transformative impact of ESB’s Oracy qualifications.
Join Us in Promoting Oracy for All
Educators, parents, and SEND specialists are encouraged to join ESB on this journey to ensure Oracy for All. Whether you’re a specialist school interested in registering for ESB qualifications or a parent looking to support your child’s communication development, this campaign will offer valuable insights, resources and practical solutions.
For more information about ESB’s qualifications and to register your interest, please click here.
If you are unable to attend the webinar and would like further information, please contact our Business Strategy Team via business@esbuk.org. We would be delighted to hear from you.
