{"id":18068,"date":"2024-10-22T09:37:59","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T08:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esbuk.org\/web\/?p=18068"},"modified":"2024-10-22T09:37:59","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T08:37:59","slug":"esb-responds-to-the-oracy-education-commissions-report-boosting-learners-oracy-and-employability-skills-through-our-communication-rich-experiences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esbuk.org\/index.php\/esb-responds-to-the-oracy-education-commissions-report-boosting-learners-oracy-and-employability-skills-through-our-communication-rich-experiences\/","title":{"rendered":"ESB responds to the Oracy Education Commission’s Report: Boosting learners\u2019 Oracy and Employability skills through our Communication-Rich Experiences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In response to the Oracy Education Commission\u2019s recent report, “We Need to Talk,” English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) has a strong focus on the role of oracy education in enhancing employability and essential workplace skills<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Commission\u2019s report, titled “We Need to Talk”<\/a><\/em>, underscored the critical role oracy plays in preparing young people for future challenges, particularly in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSpoken communication and interpersonal skills are highly valued and in demand by employers. They consistently top the list of skills demands yet they emerge as one of the biggest skills gaps in the school leaver and graduate workforce.\u201d<\/em> <\/strong>
(pg. 34 – ‘We Need to Talk’ Oracy Education Commission’s Final Report<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ESB\u2019s Impact Data<\/a> identifies that learners who complete its qualifications demonstrate significant improvements in their speaking and listening skills.<\/strong>

Teachers were asked to rate how much they believe ESB qualifications have helped develop these skills, particularly in response to challenges posed by the pandemic. On a scale of 0-10, the average rating was an impressive 8.6.<\/strong>

Furthermore, teachers observed a 29% increase<\/strong> in learners who were highly competent in “speaking confidently, audibly, and fluently” <\/strong>after completing their ESB qualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Says ESB\u2019s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ESB\u2019s employability-focused oracy qualifications, which are externally assessed and carried out in peer groups, play a crucial role in developing young people\u2019s speaking and listening skills by creating real-life communication-rich situations. In particular, preparing for and experiencing an ESB qualification fosters learner agency and empowers young people to find their place in the world.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n


Our ESB Level 1 Award in Speech for Employability (Grade 2)<\/a><\/strong> and Level 2 Certificate in Speech for Employability (Grade 4)<\/a><\/strong> provide learners with the opportunity to develop key skills that directly translate to workplace success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Features of ESB\u2019s Oracy Employability Focused Qualifications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Practical, Real-Life Assessments<\/strong>
ESB\u2019s Speech for Employability qualifications are designed to immerse students in real-world scenarios, including presentations, mock interviews, formal telephone calls, pitches and listening and responding to views. These activities enhance learners\u2019 communication skills, preparing them for job interviews and workplace challenges. Preparing for these qualifications fosters teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, group speaking and collaboration in a supportive environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building Confidence <\/strong>
The Oracy Education Commission report emphasised the importance of building young people’s confidence in speaking situations. ESB\u2019s qualifications are designed to do exactly that, and our research from our National Impact Report 21-22<\/a> has shown that there is a significant improvement in students’ self-assurance post-assessment. Carried out in small groups, ESB assessments helped many students who initially felt anxious about speaking in front of others to emerge with newfound confidence – a key employability trait identified in the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employability Focused Oracy Teacher Resources
<\/strong>ESB offers a wide range of online teacher resources <\/a>for our Oracy qualifications, which teachers can access free-of-charge, at any time. <\/strong>We have resources specifically designed for our employability-focused oracy qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n