English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Category: Speech

  • Centre Update 3: Speech centre update

    Dear Speech Centre Organiser,

    On 9th April, the UK Government set out how it expects vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) to be assessed and awarded during the current pandemic, when schools and colleges have been closed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). ESB International’s qualifications fall under this cohort guidance.

    Ofqual asked awarding organisations to compile a list of qualifications they offer and what their mitigation approach would be, i.e. how they plan to support learners and centres with getting final results. These options include:

    • Safely estimate or calculate results to issue to students
    • Adapt assessments so that they can be taken in different contexts but still safely and validly measuring the same skills, knowledge and understanding
    • Delay/reschedule (only used as a last resort).

    On 24th April Ofqual opened a consultation on its Extraordinary Regulatory Framework, which includes qualifications available for public funding that fall into one of three categories:

    • Qualifications where the primary use is to progress to FE/HE
    • Qualifications where there is a mixed use to progress to FE, HE or employment
    • Qualifications where the primary use is to provide a License to Practise/access to a profession or certificate of occupational competency.

    The consultation will close on the 8th May and a final list of qualifications in scope for the purposes of the framework will be published after that time. 

    Potential impact for ESB International’s Speech assessments 

    It is likely that speech assessments will need to be adapted  whilst centres are still closed or restrictions still in force that prevent a group assessment in a physical situation (subject to the final outcome of the Ofqual consultation).  

    What may be the potential adaptations if centres are still closed?

    • recording individual learners and submitting the recordings to ESB International to be graded by assessors – this maybe more suitable for younger learners
    • assessing a group live but using video conferencing software – this may be more suitable for older learners
    It is unlikely that we will be in a position to commence any adapted assessments until mid June at the earliest, given Ofqual’s current timelines.

    Current Actions required of centres

    1. Please read the consultation document to understand the extraordinary framework – do please participate in the consultation which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofqual-consultation-on-awarding-vocational-and-technical-qualifications-in-summer-2020

    2. You do not need to cancel booked speech assessments until we communicate with you the position from Ofqual on how we may adapt assessments. 

    3. Do please respond to product@esbuk.org if you’re interested in having your learners assessed remotely. This doesn’t commit you to anything, but it would be very helpful for ESB to have a sense of what speech centres may be interested in exploring.

    Once the Extraordinary Regulatory Framework is enacted, ESB International  will  propose to its Speech centres how we may carry out adapted speech assessments. Thank you for your patience at this time as the sector establishes how we can carry out our work.

    Any questions should also be sent to product@esbuk.org   

    *Please note that we are running on a skeleton staff due to furloughing and will respond to any queries as quickly as we can.

  • ESB Launches New Speech Pathways

    We are delighted to announce that our ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 4) qualification has been updated and you can start booking today! The qualification now gives more options to explore oracy in the classroom. Learners can develop their oracy skills in a way that suits them, playing to their strengths and interests.

    Mr Carl Bennett with the learners of Ellis Guilford who participated in the 2019 ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 4) Pathways pilot.

    We have now implemented the following new Pathways to give greater flexibility to your learners – read about them below:

    ESB Logo

    What do Learners and Teachers think of our new Pathways…

    To put our new Pathways to the test, we piloted them in 10 centres with over 300 learners and the results were impressive! These Pathways retain our core values that makes ESB an enjoyable learning experience, but add a new format of assessment with new learning outcomes. For each Pathway, learners improved their oracy skills in almost every category.

    Improves Communication Skills

    Teachers observed that an overwhelming 50% of learners felt that their communication skills had improved after their Pathways qualification, and there was a 44% increase increase in the number of learners who felt they became more competent in delivering short speeches and presentations.

    Boosts Employability

    The Speech for Employability proved a great success with participating schools. 75% of learners left feeling their communications in mock employment scenarios were ‘good’ or ‘very good’ – a dramatic improvement on just the 25% who felt they were at this level before the qualification.

    Mapped to the National Curriculum

    Our Level 2 (Grade 4) Pathways are designed to match the National Curriculum requirements in Spoken English at Key Stage 3 and 4. Teachers from the participating schools saw a dramatic increase in learners achieving the following KS3 criteria: discussing language and meaning, expressing own ideas and high competency in using Standard English competently.

    Personal Development

    The Pathways help teachers deliver Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, as well as the promotion of citizenship and British values. They also contribute learners’ Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development. The results prove that ESB qualifications benefit every learner, regardless of ability. In the Speech to Inform qualification, the number of learners who felt they had “bad” communication skills dropped by 50% after they had completed their assessment.

    ESB Logo
     

    • Curriculum for Wales – The Pathways allow learners to meet the Statutory Oracy Requirements at Key Stages 3 and 4.
    • The Irish Curriculum – The Pathways meet the statutory communication related requirements for Language and Literature (English and Media) and Skills and Capabilities at Key Stages 3 and 4.

    We’re really excited to give your learners’ even more choice. They are available to book now!

  • Celebrating success in Salford: ESB presents RECLAIM teens with well-earned qualifications.

    If only all graduation ceremonies were as inspiring as this! Tina Renshaw, ESB Chief Executive, presented certificates to young learners from the Manchester-based charity RECLAIM to celebrate their fantastic achievement.

    Tina and two representatives from ESB followed in Morrissey’s footsteps up to the famous Salford Lads Club to congratulate the young learners on their completion of the Speech Pathways Pilot qualification, ‘Speech to Inform’. For the assessment, the learners are encouraged to review a current news item, give a persuasive talk about a topic that interests them and give a presentation about something they are passionate about.

    The youngsters, some of whom were initially afraid of standing up and speaking in front of their peers, chose topics ranging from climate change to feminism and all went on to pass their assessments.

    Said Tina, “I’m incredibly proud to meet the RECLAIM learners. These inspirational young women have now got a recognised qualification that proves they can speak clearly and with confidence.”

    By giving them a platform and an opportunity to get their voices heard, they can keep their heads held high, and with these skills under their belts, some of them may become leaders someday.

     

    The RECLAIM Graduates

     

    Katie Cosgrave, Alumni Lead at RECLAIM said after the event:

    After seeing the impact ESB has had on these young people, I feel it is incredibly important that we continue to do these qualifications here at RECLAIM. It demonstrates the clear need for oracy to be taught in schools as I truly believe communication is key to success, and I’m so proud to be a part of this pilot.

     

    To find out more about the work RECLAIM does for young working-class people, please visit their website: https://www.reclaim.org.uk/.

  • ESB welcomes the Oracy All-Party Parliamentary Group’s inquiry – Speak for Change.

    English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. is supporting a new parliamentary inquiry Speak for Change, led by Emma Hardy MP, which is paving the way to improve oracy education in schools.

     

    As a member of The Oracy Network, ESB is proud to be part of a movement championing the value of good speaking and listening skills and the need for oracy to be reflected in educational policy making and curriculum development.

    There is a rapidly growing recognition of the importance of teaching children and young people to speak effectively and with confidence, in order to aid their learning and prepare them for life beyond school.  The Speak for Change inquiry will investigate the current provision of oracy education in the UK, assess its value and impact, and identify the barriers teachers are facing in embedding and prioritising oracy in school.

    An ESB team, led by Chief Examiner, Elaine Rudduck, attended the launch of the inquiry held in Parliament to speak to MPs and learners, and to meet with the Oracy Network to emphasise the importance of oracy for improving social mobility and job prospects for young people.

    Elaine Rudduck, Chief Examiner

    “Our qualifications develop confidence, improve communication skills, realise potential and recognise achievement with an accredited award, so we are incredibly proud to be part of the exciting conversations happening about oracy through The Oracy Network.” said Elaine.

    “It’s fantastic to see that oracy is starting to be recognised as a priority in education.”

    ESB’s primary objective is to promote clear communication across society – stretching the most able and supporting the least confident. Many of ESB’s Speech assessments are carried out in supportive listening groups, allow learners to choose study pathways which reflect their interests and strengths, and are designed to empower and support them as they find their voice. ESB shares the Oracy APPG’s vision to improve everyone’s ability to articulate their ideas, thereby creating greater opportunities for social mobility.

    One of the MPs at the launch was Tracy Brabin MP who said:

    Tracy Brabin MP

    I’ve seen first-hand the need for teaching oracy in schools. Many of the pupils in my Batley and Spen constituency have the academic skills but lack those key communication skills to help them progress, particularly as they apply to their chosen colleges or universities.

     

    MPs who are members of the Oracy APPG are calling on the education sector to have their say and submit evidence. The Oracy APPG need help to promote the inquiry to ensure they gather a wide range of views from across society and highlight how important oracy is for the next generation.

    A call for evidence is now open and the inquiry will welcome written and video submissions from across the education sector, industry and civil society. Most importantly, it will ensure the views of teachers, parents, children and young people are represented.

    If you feel passionately about oracy in your centre, or know someone in your network who does, please contact Deborah Bassett on deborah.bassett@esbuk.org to help spread the word and Speak for Change.