ESB updates and improves its Entry Level Award Graded Examinations in Speech (EAL) qualification specifications.

Designed for learners who speak English as an additional language, ESB’s Graded Examinations in Speech (EAL) qualifications enable individuals to flourish in their ability to communicate with confidence – equipping them with the tools needed to thrive in education, training and employment.

Learners can develop their confidence and interactional competence as well as their speaking, reading and listening skills through ESB’s Ofqual accredited qualifications.

ESB’s Product Development Manager, Anthea Wilson says, “Updating the specifications for these qualifications has really highlighted what an exciting opportunity they are for our learners whose mother tongue is not English and who would benefit from developing confidence by working on their speaking and listening skills. At ESB International, we stretch the most able and support the least confident, and using these Speech EAL qualifications alongside or instead of the Awards in Speech mean that all our learners can achieve their full potential.”

We encourage you to consider these qualifications for your learners if you are looking for assessments that:

• promote oracy
• help learners to use their voice effectively
• accommodate the linguistic development of English language learners
• support progression onto the mainstream school curricula
• enrich cultural capital
• are mapped to the National Curriculum in England in relation to its requirements in Spoken Language and Reading at Key Stages 1 and 2
• reference the descriptions of language proficiency at A1, A2 and B1 in the Common European Framework Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• foster collaborative working.

The revised specifications include details about:

• how to use the ESB Entry Level Awards in Graded Examinations in Speech (EAL) at A1, A2 and B1 in combination with the Awards in Speech
• coverage of the National Curriculum in England
• CEFR coverage of communicative language activities and strategies for young learners at A1, A2 and B1
• assessment and grading
• ESB International assessment rationales and outcomes.

Please see the list of updated specifications below:

ESB Entry Level Award in Graded Examinations in Speech (Entry 1) (EAL-A1)
Target learner group is Year 3 – £30.00 per learner.

ESB Entry Level Award in Graded Examinations in Speech (Entry 2) (EAL-A2)
Target learner group is Year 4 – £31.00 per learner.

ESB Entry Level Award in Graded Examinations in Speech (Entry 3) (EAL-B1)
Target learner group is Year 5 – £32.00 per learner.

Can you combine ESB’s Entry Level Awards in Graded Examinations in Speech EAL with ESB’s Graded Examinations in Speech to suit learners’ needs?

Yes, the structure of the ESB Entry Level Awards in Graded Examinations in Speech EAL qualifications allows learners to be assessed in a group of six, alongside learners entered for the ESB Graded Examinations in Speech. The diagram below shows recommended combinations based on the content of the assessment and the timing per learner.

ESB celebrates its 70^th Anniversary in 2023!

As demonstrated through its 70/70 campaign, ESB is passionate about closing the disadvantage gap. Steadfast in its determination to reduce the impacts of disadvantage on speaking and listening skills, it wants to reach schools where learners facing disadvantage due to socio-economic factors, special educational needs and disabilities, and/or migration status and enable them to embed Oracy education and access its qualifications.

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! Please email business@esbuk.org to find out whether your centre is eligible for funding and support.