ESB is giving centres the option for their assessor to use digital sound files in their ESOL Skills for Life Speaking and Listening assessments.
From January 2022, ESB assessors will be able to play audio files for the Listening Task from a centre’s classroom computer. These digital sound files are merely an alternative – not a replacement – to using CD players and centres may continue to use CDs if they wish.
Please read the following steps that are necessary to enable ESB’s assessors to use digital sound files at your centre:
Arrange for the assessor to be able to access a computer/laptop with an internet connection. They may need a guest account.
Ensure that the sound quality and volume is satisfactory, and that the assessor can control the volume.
Before the session, agree with the assessor whether the digital option or CDs will be used.
ESB values transparency as one of its most defining characteristics and always encourages feedback from its customers. We hope this new development will further enable your learners to successfully complete our assessments, boosting their progression and employability!
Further to a review of our product portfolio, the following qualifications will be withdrawn on 30th September 2022:
ESB Level 1 Award in Oral Skills for School Interviews 600/4426/3
ESB Level 1 Award in Using Oral Skills for Interviews 501/1144/9
ESB Level 2 Award in Using Oral Skills for Interviews 501/1280/6
These qualifications have been replaced with the Speech for Employment Pathway in:
ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2) 603/6757/X
ESB Level 2 Award in Speech (Grade 4) 603/5192/5
Additionally, the following qualifications will be withdrawn on 30th September 2022 due to low enrolments:
ESB Entry Level Award in EAL for Young Learners (Entry 1) 601/8328/7
ESB Entry Level Award in EAL for Young Learners (Entry 2) 601/8347/0
ESB Entry Level Award in EAL for Young Learners (Entry 3) 601/8346/9
ESB Level 1 Award in EAL for Young Learners 601/8348/2
ESB Level 2 Award in EAL for Young Learners 601/8349/4
ESB Pre-entry award in EAL for young learners (Unregulated)
If you wish to register your learners for an assessment this academic year, you must register before the 31st May 2022. This is the Operational End Date. Your learners can take their assessment after 31st May 2022 if they have been registered, but the last date for certificates to be issued is 30th September 2022. If you have any questions, or would like advice on other qualifications that we offer, please email product@esbuk.org.
ESB demonstrates its ongoing commitment to providing equality and the same opportunities for all by reviewing, refreshing, and improving its existing portfolio of speech qualifications for learners with significant special needs and disabilities.
This newly refreshed and up-to-date portfolio, which also provides a package of support for tutors and learners, is now available and can be downloaded from our website from today.
The revised portfolio, Building Confidence in Communication comprises of 14 Entry-Level qualifications which are designed to promote learners’ confidence, oracy and communication skills. They aim to remove barriers to learning by enabling access to a wide range of curricula, building relationships and a sense of belonging, and developing self-esteem and a positive self-identity.
Says Product Development Manager, Anthea Wilson, “Many things have not changed. The content of the qualifications and the level of demand is the same, as well as the emphasis on communication and real-life skills. Learners will still receive personalised report forms with their result, and do their assessments in groups with their peers to encourage active listening skills and personalisation.
“What is new is a package of teacher support materials which suggest ways of isolating and practising effective speaking and listening skills.”
Please click here to access these resources which include lesson plans, games and activities, videos, audios and PowerPoint presentations to use with learners in a range of settings.
ESB has also revised and reissued the Specifications, with more detail on content and assessment. The qualifications are grouped into three categories: Communication for Interviews and the Workplace,Communication via the Arts, and Communication for Independent Living and Social Interaction. These specifications are available to download by clicking here.
Anthea adds, “We believe that developing oral communication strategies is one of the keys to living an independent life and that all learners should have access to courses that prepare them for independence in the real world, and we are proud to share this exciting product with our customers – innovative qualifications that are enjoyable and motivating to work towards, and a teacher support package that supports learning and teaching in today’s learning environment.”
All of ESB’s Building Confidence in Communication Entry level qualifications are available to book now and are priced at £44.00 per learner.
ESB’s purpose to positively impact learners with significant learning disabilities is part of a wider campaign – its 70/70 Campaign. ESB aims to reach out to disadvantaged learners (those facing disadvantage from socio-economic factors, migration, and disability status) and will support them financially to access its assessments, support and training.
If you would like to know more about our Campaign or wish to find out if you are eligible for our 70/70 funding, please contact a member of our Business Development Team at business@esbuk.org.
For more detailed information regarding our refreshed portfolio of Speech qualifications for learners with significant special educational needs and disabilities, please email product@esbuk.org.
ESB’s purpose is to support all learners to possess the oracy skills they need in order to achieve their aspirations. This goal can only be achieved by closing the disadvantage gap!
Please click here to read our full article published in the latest edition of ESB news which highlights the immeasurable impact these qualifications have already had on our learners.
English Speaking Board witnesses first-hand the immeasurable impact that its assessments continue to have on learners at a recent ESB virtual Presentation Event.
As part of its 70/70 Campaign, ESB has enabled sixth form learners at Smethwick’s Holly Lodge School in the Midlands to access its Level 3 Certificate in Speech (Grade 8) speech assessments, ultimately providing them with oracy skills to last them a lifetime!
The outstanding achievements of the school’s learners were celebrated virtually with all learners being in attendance together with ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw; ESB Assessor, Rhydian Morgan; Holly Lodge Assistant Headteacher, Kelly Dunn and ESB Teacher and Deputy Leader of Key Stage 5, Raj Khera.
The engaging event featured two learners reflecting on their ESB journey and included one learner’s recital of her original poem, ‘Field of Gold’. There was also a congratulatory message from Tina, a review on the assessments by ESB’s Assessor, Rhydian, and an emotional thanks to ESB from Assistant Headteacher at Holly Lodge, Kelly Dunn.
Watch the highlights video below!
ESB Learner expresses his thoughts about his ESB journey: “ESB is the one thing that I enjoy most about being in Sixth Form. Completing it in a group setting has enabled me to make many friendships and my confidence has drastically developed. The idea of speaking in front of people can be a source of anxiety and fear but also something that constantly excites me. I went straight into my presentation and I enjoyed it. It wasn’t like before when I had this sharp pain in my chest when I was asked to speak. It is now something I relish. “It isn’t just my speaking skills that have improved – it has benefited me in many ways. My writing skills have improved and my essays are now far more in depth. I am also far more critical about the things I read…and on the topic of reading …. I now enjoy it! I feel like the best way to end is by saying thank you to Miss Khera. She made speech as enjoyable as possible!”
The learners’ experiences and achievement moved the senior teachers at their school due to the maturity, skills and character these young people demonstrated.
Holly Lodge’s Assistant Headteacher, Kelly Dunn reflects on her pupils’ achievements after completing ESB: “Myself and Miss Khera are very proud of all of you. It is so amazing to see the support that you’ve all given each other. You’ve all blown us away. Thanks again to ESB!”
ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw says at the event: “In preparing for and excelling at ESB, your school has created an experience for you which you will encounter throughout your studying and working lives. You’re going to become familiar with unfamiliar information and vocabulary; you’re going to present information succinctly and be able to select just the right words you need which puts across your message. You’re going to be able to impart a perspective that has value to you, recall prepared information and listen to others to better understand and support them by listening openly and sharing ideas. What a range of skills that you have gone on to develop to the highest standards! Never lose sight of the aspirations of your learning, for yourselves, for your communities, and your lives which you spoke of in your assessment.”
ESB’s Assessor, Rhydian adds: “One of the most important things about ESB is the confidence it builds in developing your voice, being able to use that voice and confidence throughout your lives. All learners at Holly Lodge shone in their assessments. Well done everybody!”
ESB’s aim is to prepare today’s learner for tomorrow’s world through its assessments – particularly reaching out to those learners facing disadvantage. By improving the life chances of all learners to reach their maximum potential and by inspiring high-quality communication in people, ESB recognises the value of oracy as a vehicle for social mobility.
With many learners at the school facing disadvantage the proportion of disadvantaged pupils at Holly Lodge School is well above the national average as is the proportion of pupils from ethnic minority groups and those who speak English as an additional language.
Holly Lodge is just one of the schools that is using ESB to help its learners to possess the communication skills needed to achieve their aspirations, but ESB would like to help many more.
If you believe your learners or young people would benefit from an Oracy journey which includes ESB assessments, we would love to hear from you! Once you contact us you can also find out whether your centre is eligible for funding and support. Please email business@esbuk.org.
For further details about our 70/70 Campaign, please click here.
