ESOL International
Are you interested in offering our ESOL International qualifications at your organisation?
Our Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, would be delighted to share with you how a globally recognised, online ESB ESOL International qualification from the ‘Awarding Organisation of the Year’, according to the Federation of Awarding Bodies, can positively impact your learners’ English language proficiency for education purposes and professional employment in the UK or elsewhere.
ESOL International with English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.
Why work with us?
ESB International operates a wide-ranging portfolio of internationally recognised, Ofqual regulated ESOL International qualifications from A1-C2 level, mapped to the Common European Framework.
We are a major exporter of qualifications, and according to Ofqual, ESB ranked 15th out of all the Awarding Organisations that awarded certificates internationally in 2022/23.
Globally recognised ESOL International qualifications since 2013
We certificate thousands learners annually
UK’s Federation of Awarding Bodies ‘Awarding Organisation of the the Year’ 2023
Innovative and accessible online assessments with rapid results
Supportive and proactive working relationship with our centres
Annually standardised local oral assessors who understand learners’ needs
Our ESOL International qualifications
| CEFR Level | Qualification Number | GLH / TQT* | Age Range | Specification | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Unregulated | 200 / 220 hours | 11+ |  | |
| A2 | Unregulated | 200 / 220 hours | 11+ | | |
| B1 | 500/3646/4 | 200 / 220 hours | 11+ | | |
| B2 | 500/3647/6 | 300 hours / 330 hours | 11+ | | |
| C1 | 500/3648/8 | 250 hours / 275 hours | 11+ | | |
| C2 | 500/3655/5 | 300 hours / 330 hours | 11+ | | |
Who accepts ESB’s ESOL International qualifications?
ASEP (Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection), Greece
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for C2 qualifications
Our memberships with the following organisations underlines our commitment to aligning with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):
Associate member of ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe)
Institutional member of EALTA (European Association of Language Testing and Assessment
Supportive and proactive working relationships with our centres
ESB has established a trusted network of a number of high-quality international centres who manage a range of ESB language schools. We place great importance on fostering close, friendly, and proactive working relationships with our centres. Our commitment to responsiveness means that we consistently aim to address queries from centres within 48 hours. We work closely with our centres to provide the best possible experience for learners and staff.
Europalso (Greece)
It’s always a pleasure to visit Greece and to meet members of the Europalso team who always make us feel so welcome. They work tirelessly to promote our ESOL International assessments in Greece since 2013.
Anthea Wilson, Chief Assessor of ESB International
The enthusiasm of the school owners is inspiring, and there is also the opportunity to gain feedback, which is extremely valuable to us at ESB. We now meet with Europalso colleagues quarterly to listen to how we can further support them and their students.
I am always humbled by the investment of parents and young people to fulfil their potential as they learn in preparation to take our ESB qualifications. The diligence, professionalism and care of their teachers, oral assessors, staff and Board of Europalso is ever present as is the friendship and kindness displayed whenever we visit Greece and meet so many of you.
Online ESOL International assessments
Our online assessments offer fully automated remote live proctoring through advanced AI technology. We utilise expert-led third-party platforms Cirrus Assessment and Proctorio for secure and valid delivery of assessments.
This online approach offers learners of all ages a more efficient and eco-friendly option to take their assessments from any location, and at any time. It ensures that they receive a tailored and accessible assessment experience without compromising on security or international recognition.
Our online platform ensures assessment results are delivered to centres within 10 days for the standard option and within 5 days for the fast track option.
- The Cirrus online assessment platform is easy for learners to use, has integrated anti-cheating technology and provides us with psychometric data so we can continually create better assessments. ESB International’s partnership with Cirrus ensures we have access to the latest high-stakes assessment security and technology.
- Proctorio is a leading proctoring platform than uses cutting-edge technology to ensure the integrity of online assessments. Our collaboration with Proctorio guarantees that all learners are tested fairly and the testing environment is secure.
Our ESOL International Oral Assessors
Language schools often choose to deliver ESB qualifications because of our friendly and warm approach to assessment, with local oral assessors who have a deep understanding of their learners’ needs, making them well-equipped to deliver the speaking and listening section. This personalised approach to assessment helps learners feel at ease and perform to the best of their ability.
Over 350,000 ESOL International certifications awarded since 2014.
We annually train and standardise Oral Assessors who assess Speaking assessments
40 highly-skilled markers who mark ESOL International assessments.
All ESB International oral assessors:
- are expert users of English, i.e. C2 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
- have extensive English language teaching experience
- hold a recognised TESOL qualification
- have deep knowledge and experience of teaching, learning and assessment on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
- have extensive experience of applying assessment criteria to learners’ speaking and listening performances.
Oral assessors are regularly and frequently trained on the CEFR, assessment requirements and rating scales, and have to pass standardisation activities. Training and standardisation are delivered and assessed by ESB International.
To retain approval status, oral assessors must complete annual training and record their oral assessments for moderation purposes, ensuring a low-risk moderation outcome.
It is the centre’s responsibility to communicate the arrangements for training, standardisation and moderation with oral assessors.
ESOL International: qualification prices and centre fees
Centres provide assessors for ESOL International Speaking assessments and pay the following fees to cover the following ESB International’s activities; training, standardising and moderating assessors to comply with our regulatory requirements.
Centre fees
International centre fees payable for Centre Assessment Standards Scrutiny Strategy (CASS) compliance activities.
| Activity | Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Approval/audit of oral assessor recruitment | Annually if new assessor recruitment is planned* | Up to 4 assessors: £500 Further assessors are likewise charged in groups of 5 at £500 |
| Training of oral assessors | Annually to maintain standards** | 0-5 assessors: £1,000 6-10 assessors: £2,000 11-15 assessors: £3,000 16-20 assessors: £4,000 21-25 assessors: £5,000 26-30 assessors: £6,000 |
| Standardisation and moderation of oral assessors | Annually to maintain standards** | 0-5 assessors: £1,000 6-10 assessors: £2,000 11-15 assessors: £3,000 16-20 assessors: £4,000 21-25 assessors: £5,000 26-30 assessors: £6,000 |
** full payment is invoiced at the time of commencing the contract and on 1st of September after that
Qualification prices (online)
| ESOL International | AY 2024 – 25 (per learner) | AY 2024 – 25 fast-track supplement |
|---|---|---|
| ESB Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (Entry 1) – A1 | £45.00 | £35.00 |
| ESB Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (Entry 2) – A2 | £45.00 | £35.00 |
| ESB Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (Entry 3) – B1 | £53.00 | £35.00 |
| ESB Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes – B2 | £61.00 | £35.00 |
| ESB Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes – C1 | £66.00 | £35.00 |
| ESB Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes – C2 | £71.00 | £35.00 |
Frequently asked questions
ESB International has ESOL International qualifications at A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 on the CEFR, so there is an assessment for every stage of the learner’s journey from basic to proficient understanding and use of English. ESB’s suite of qualifications for ESOL International can be found here. You can download a Qualification Specification for every level from the table above. Our detailed Specifications are designed to support ESOL teachers and learners. The Specification includes information on the content, CEFR descriptors, assessment methods, timings and language in each part of the assessment. We also offer unregulated qualifications at pre-A1, A1, A2 and B1 for Young Learners aged 6 to 15 years old.
Yes! Our ESB Entry Level 3 (B1), Level 1 (B2), Level 2 (C1) and Level 3 (C2) qualifications are recognised and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England and the Council for the Curriculum, Education and Assessment (CEA) in Northern Ireland. Our Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International C2 qualification also comes with the added attraction of gaining up to 36 UCAS points, a valuable incentive for learners wanting to access higher education in the UK. Our Entry Level 1 (A1) and Entry Level 2 (A2) qualifications are quality assured to the same standard as the higher level qualifications and are unregulated.
All our qualifications from A1 to C2 are for young adult and adult learners who are improving their general English for personal, educational or professional reasons. Our pre-A1, A1, A2 and B1 Young Learner qualifications are for children and teenagers aged 6 to 15, who are starting their learning journey.
There are no prior learning or formal qualification requirements for ESB ESOL International qualifications. Each qualification level in the ESB International ESOL qualification suite is a stand-alone qualification and learners are entered for listening, reading, use of English, writing and speaking at the same CEFR level. Tutors should ensure that the qualification level that their learners are entered for reflects their ability and needs.
You will receive your results and certificates through your local centre. ESB International administers, marks, moderates and issues results and certificates, so the administrative burden on centres is minimised.
These are the suggested number of hours for a learner to be taught by an English teacher, tutor or other appropriate provider of education or training, in preparing for these qualifications.
- A1: 200 hours
- A2: 200 hours
- B1: 200 hours
- B2: 300 hours
- C1: 250 hours
- C2: 300 hours
Listening, Reading, Use of English and Writing are assessed in one written paper, paper-based or online. The time allowed for each assessment is:
- A1: 2 hours
- A2: 2 hours
- B1: 2 hours
- B2: 2 hours 30 minutes
- C1: 2 hours 40 minutes
- C2: 3 hours
The pre-A1, A1 and A2 assessments for young learners are between 30 and 90 minutes.
Speaking is assessed online or face-to-face. Learners are assessed in pairs, or if there is an odd number of learners, in a group of three.
- A1: 10 minutes
- A2: 10 minutes
- B1: 11 minutes
- B2: 11 minutes
- C1: 13 minutes
- C2: 15 minutes
If you need an English language qualification for your visa or immigration application, you must take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) in a SELT centre. Find out more here.
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