Graded Examinations in Speech for Learners with English as an Additional Language (EAL)
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. Mapped to the National Curriculum in England in relation to its requirements in Spoken Language and Reading at Key Stages 1 and 2, these qualifications help learners to feel that their voice is important, and to enjoy speaking with and in front of others.
Skills
Our Ofqual accredited Awards in Speech for learners with EAL provide opportunities for learners to develop their confidence and interactional competence as well as their speaking, reading and listening skills through activities across four assessment sections. Here is a sample of these activities from across our Speech EAL qualifications. Please see our qualification specifications for more information, which can be found here.
Talk
- Entry 1: Something Special – learners show an item or picture and talk about it.
- Entry 2: Free Choice – talk about an item or picture explaining its importance.
- Entry 3: Free Choice – learners present a topic of personal interest.
Speaking by Heart
- Entry 1: learners speak by heart a poem which they enjoy. Learners begin by giving the title of their chosen poem and the poet’s name.
- Entry 2: learners speak a poem by heart. Learners begin by giving the title of their chosen poem, the poet’s name and a reason for their choice.
- Entry 3: learners begin by introducing their choice of poem or piece of drama and explain why they have chosen it. They then present their memorised piece, sharing the content with the group and the assessor.
Reading Aloud
- Entry 1: learners begin by giving the title and author of a favourite story, before reading a prepared passage of approximately 100 words.
- Entry 2: learners begin by giving the title and author of a favourite story, and say which character they would like to meet. They should then read a prepared passage of approximately 200 words.
- Entry 3: learners begin by introducing a favourite story, persuading listeners to read it. They should then read a prepared passage of approximately 200-300 words.
Listening & Responding
- Learners answer questions from the group and the assessor after their talk.
- Listen to others and join in with questions and comments.
Experience
These qualifications present an exciting opportunity 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.
Just like our Awards in Speech, the assessments take place in small groups. Learners participate in a group with their classmates who may be doing either ESB Graded Examinations in Speech EAL assessments, or an ESB Entry Level Award in Speech.
Outcomes
The ESB International portfolio of Speech EAL (English as an Additional Language) qualifications:
- 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 of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Foster collaborative working
Resources
Discover our teacher resources
- Browse our qualification specifications to find the right qualification for your learners.
- Look through our teacher materials to find out what support is available for your teachers.
Funding
Find out what funding may be available to you
- New and existing ESB centres may be available to apply to access our Christabel Burniston Fund. Find out if your centre meets our funding criteria.
Get a Quote
Browse our portfolio of Speech qualifications
- Centre registration is quick and easy. Becoming an ESB centre allows centres to book our qualifications.
- Use our ‘Get a Quote’ function to experiment with different qualifications and learner numbers.