In response to the Oracy Education Commission’s 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.

The Commission’s report, titled “We Need to Talk”, underscored the critical role oracy plays in preparing young people for future challenges, particularly in the workplace.

“Spoken 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.”
(pg. 34 – ‘We Need to Talk’ Oracy Education Commission’s Final Report)

ESB’s Impact Data identifies that learners who complete its qualifications demonstrate significant improvements in their speaking and listening skills.

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.

Furthermore, teachers observed a 29% increase in learners who were highly competent in “speaking confidently, audibly, and fluently” after completing their ESB qualification.

Says ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:

ESB’s employability-focused oracy qualifications, which are externally assessed and carried out in peer groups, play a crucial role in developing young people’s 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.

Our ESB Level 1 Award in Speech for Employability (Grade 2) and Level 2 Certificate in Speech for Employability (Grade 4) provide learners with the opportunity to develop key skills that directly translate to workplace success.

Key Features of ESB’s Oracy Employability Focused Qualifications

Practical, Real-Life Assessments
ESB’s 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’ 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.

Building Confidence
The Oracy Education Commission report emphasised the importance of building young people’s confidence in speaking situations. ESB’s qualifications are designed to do exactly that, and our research from our National Impact Report 21-22 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.

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

• Key Stage 2-3: ESB Level 1 Award in Speech for Employability (Grade 2)
  On this page, you will find qualification specifications, together with our employability-focused resources, if you scroll down on the right-hand side of the page.
• Key Stage 3-4: ESB Level 2 Award in Speech for Employability (Grade 4)
• Please check your downloads folder once you have clicked on the resources.

Tangible Improvements in Employability Skills
ESB’s research from its National Impact Report 21-22 demonstrates the powerful impact of these employability based qualifications. Following the assessments, 34% of students were rated ‘Highly Competent’ in professional one-on-one interactions, a vital skill for job success. Additionally, over 70% of learners reported improvements in their ability to deliver talks on job-related topics, addressing the Commission’s concerns about students’ readiness for professional life

Learner-Centred Approach and Agency
The Oracy Education Commission advocates for empowering students with ownership over their learning, a principle that is at the heart of ESB’s assessments. By allowing learners to choose their presentation topics and engage in discussions about jobs, careers, successful business leaders that interest and influence them, ESB assessments nurture learner agency. This approach not only motivates students but ensures the learning experience is relevant to their future aspirations, aligning with the report’s call for integrating oracy meaningfully across the curriculum.

Data from ESB’s National Impact Report

Teacher and Learner Testimonials

Teachers have praised the impact of ESB’s assessments on their students. One teacher commented:

Students who are usually quiet or reluctant to speak gained so much confidence. They all expressed confidence in completing interviews or professional conversations in the future.

Learners have echoed this sentiment, with one stating, “The best part was the interviews as it gives me a view of what we would have to do in the real world.

Find out more

In light of the Oracy Education Commission’s findings, ESB is committed to expanding opportunities for young people to develop essential oracy, employability and lifelong skills.

Adds Tina, “By embedding real-world scenarios into its qualifications, ESB not only equips students with the oracy skills needed for the workplace but also instils the confidence and agency required to thrive in their future jobs and careers.”

You can read more about the impact of ESB’s external, employability-focused oracy assessments on Key Stage 3 learners in the following article published by ESB in the Chartered College of Teaching’s peer-reviewed journal by clicking here.  Additionally, you can read ESB’s National Impact Report here.