English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Category: Social Mobility

  • ESB International to help shape the future of oracy education in England

    The Oracy Education Commission represents a pivotal moment for the oracy movement. Chaired by Geoff Barton, the Commission aims to provide a framework for national entitlement to oracy education at all stages of the curriculum in England.

    Commission Chair @RealGeoffBarton tells us why the Commission matters for students

    The Awarding Organisation of the Year, English Speaking Board (International) Ltd., has long been a leader in the national conversation for mainstream oracy adoption. As both a member of The Oracy Network, and contributor to the Oracy All-Party Parliamentary Group’s inquiry ‘Speak for Change’, ESB International has been at the forefront of the oracy movement since 1953 and will continue to be for many years to come.

    Through its National Impact Report, we recognise beyond any doubt the importance of assessing acquired oracy skills in young people. Teachers spoke to us of the huge impact our qualifications have at both Primary and Secondary level, with notable factors including drastically improved confidence, the ability to work well in a group and collaborating strongly with others as well the ‘real-life’ transferable skills that learners could take home, to the next step phase of their education and eventually to the workplace.

    With the Commission’s final report due in September 2024, ESB International looks forward to providing the Commission with its full input as we look to collectively shape the future of oracy education in England.

  • Happy National Poetry Day

    It’s National Poetry Day and what better way to celebrate than looking back at some of our wonderful learners’ renditions.

    Poetry is one key component in many of our Graded Examinations in Speech assessments for learners in Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 5. Encouraging learners to enjoy this use of creative language helps to develop the skills to recite creative language from memory.

    The fee of these assessments range from £30.00 at Entry Level to the maximum price of £54.00 per learner at Advanced Level. Please note that financial support may be available for some centres. If you would like to find our more about the financial support that ESB could offer your centre, please visit our Funding page or email us today.

    Says Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:

    Here at ESB, we strongly believe that poetry is a great way to improve a learner’s overall confidence and communication skills. The memory and presentation skills involved gives them essential life skills, enabling them to thrive in education, training and employment.

    For further information about our Speech assessments, please click here. Alternatively, if you still have unanswered questions or you would like to become an ESB centre, please contact our Business Development Team. We’d love to hear from you.

    Preparing today’s learner for tomorrow’s world is something ESB is passionate about. Help your learners to reach their potential by taking our assessments today!

  • We are recruiting for a Trustee/Director

    Do you share our passion for empowering all individuals to possess the oracy and English Language skills they need to achieve their aspirations?

    We are seeking a dynamic and highly motivated individual to join our Board of Trustees/Board of Directors, ensuring the organisation’s good governance and strategic direction.

    The ideal candidate will have direct experience in government funded education (primary, secondary, Further Education, special schools) as well as a keen understanding of governance.

    For further details about this role and for information on how to apply, please see our advertisement.

    We encourage you to contact our Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, if you are interested in this position.

    Closing date: Friday the 11th of June.

  • ESB learners reaching their goals

    With Covid-19 still bringing many things to a standstill, we are excited to report that ESB International is open for business!

    Ofqual’s Extraordinary Regulatory Framework is enabling many of our centres to either see through their assessments in a new socially distancing format using technology or have their results calculated.

    Taking the Calculated Results route are many of our ESOL Skills for Life learners and our learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities taking our specifically designed qualifications. Our Speech learners have been offered the opportunity to go ahead with their assessments in an adapted format. Centres can choose to have their learners assessed by video conferencing, giving them the closest experience to their usual assessments. Alternatively, teachers can record their learners’ performances and submit the recordings to be assessed. Finally, learners can record their performances at home with their parents or guardians acting as amateur directors!

    Says ESB International’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:

    I couldn’t be more pleased that these learners are still getting the opportunity to have their hard work rewarded. We have been in contact with more than 100 of our centres and their responses have been truly heart-warming. We are all finding new skills and new ways of working to make sure that our learners are not disadvantaged and that they receive the credit that they deserve.
    In preparation for our new adapted assessments, our assessors have been taking part in special training (socially distanced, of course!). We now have a team which is ready and raring to go and I am confident that the learners being assessed LIVE by video conference will enjoy the experience almost as much as when we visit them in person. Fortunately, with mobile phone and iPad cameras being so good these days, no special equipment is needed for those wishing to record themselves!
    We love getting out and about around the UK seeing our learners’ endeavour, energy and talent, but until we are able to do that again this is the next best thing and we are looking forward to making a big success of it!

    We would like to give a shout out to the following centres who will be calculating the results of their learners. They are:- Adult Learning Lewisham; Belfast Met; Bromley By Bow; Carwarden House School; City of Bristol College; College of North West London; Gateshead College; Joseph Chamberlain College; Liverpool Adult Learning Service; Sandwell College and Stanmore College.

    Our Speech centres who have elected adapted assessments include Bricklehurst Manor School; Ellowes Hall Sports College, Elms Studio; Queen’s Gate School, Weston College, Wilmslow Prep School, Maidstone Grammar for Girls, The Oratory Prep and private tutors David Purveur and Sally Arnold.

    Looking forward to a great set of results from you all!