English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Category: Uncategorised

  • ESB appoints its New Honorary Life President – Merriel Halsall-Williams!

    Merriel Halsall-Williams

    Congratulations to ESB’s former Vice-President, Merriel Halsall-Williams who takes up her position as Honorary Life President.

    ESB’s previous Honorary Life President, Jocelyn Bell sadly passed away in 2020 and we celebrated her life’s work and immense contribution to the organisation at her service of remembrance.

    Jocelyn’s contribution is also remembered through ESB’s prestigious Burniston Bell Award, named in honour of our founder, Christabel Burniston and Jocelyn.  The award ensures the continuation of their legacy and recognises the exceptional work of ESB teachers who are keeping Christabel and Jocelyn’s vision alive today.

    Merriel receiving the Richard Ellis Award in 2018 for her outstanding contribution to ESB

    Says ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, “I would like to congratulate Merriel on her appointment as Honorary Life President and thank her for her remarkable and on-going contribution to ESB. Merriel’s enduring relationship with ESB International began in 1953, when as a 15-year-old schoolgirl she met ESB’s founder Christabel Burniston. From that very moment, Merriel has made it her lifetime mission to champion the power of the spoken word. Her impact on public speaking is simply unique and immeasurable.

    “Merriel was a dear friend of Jocelyn’s, and they shared many memories together. We are hopeful that Jocelyn would be happy knowing that such a talented lady as Merriel would be the one to act as stand-in for the role of ESB’s Honorary Life President.”

    Says Merriel on her appointment: “I first met Christabel and Jocelyn when I enrolled as a student at Christabel’s Northwest School of Speech and Drama in Southport. Both Christabel and Jocelyn were truly inspirational teachers and role models, and I am so honoured to follow in their footsteps as ESB’s Honorary Life President. Since ESB’s inception, I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact and value that its assessments have on individuals, equipping them with the speaking and listening skills to last them a lifetime”.

    ESB is currently in the run up to its 70th anniversary next year and the organisation is planning a number of anniversary celebratory events, as well as promoting its 70/70 campaign, which aims to find and financially support, 70 centres where their learners, children, young people or community members face disadvantage and would be supported in their aspirations if they could achieve an ESB qualification.

  • ESB introduces digital sound files in response to feedback from its ESOL Skills for Life Centres

    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!

  • Qualification Withdrawal Notice for Centres

    Dear Centres,

    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 refreshes its speech qualifications for learners with significant special needs and disabilities!

    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.