ESB News - Autumn-Winter 2021 v7

News

Autumn/Winter Edition 2021

www.esbuk.org

(+44) 01695 573439 @ESBUK

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Contents

Message from our Chief Executive

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Reaching learners facing disadvantage

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How are we currently supporting learners facing disadvantage? Qualifications for learners with significant special needs and disabilities 6-7

How is ESB supporting Centres to close the disadvantage gap?

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ESB thanks Friends of ESB for their Donations to our 70/70 Campaign

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ESOL International qualifications: Opportunities for ESOL learners in the UK following Brexit

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We welcome our newly registered centres to our ESB Family!

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Attention all centres, ESB wants to hear from you!

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We continue to put our Centres and Learners first

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Listen to what some of our ESOL Skills for Life Assessors have to say….. 15

ESB continues to impact positively on learners facing disadvantage almost 70 years since its inception by our Founder, Christabel Burniston

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Say hello to our new team members

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© 2021 English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

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Message from our Chief Executive

CEO

ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw welcomes you to our Autumn/Winter edition of ESB News

As we progress into the 2021-22 academic year, I’m delighted to welcome you to this Autumn/Winter edition of ESB News. Following your well-deserved summer break, we wanted to get back in touch to tell you about our plans for the coming months. Firstly, I wanted to update you on our position for face to face assessing for all our Skills for Life and Speech qualifications occurring in the UK. It is our intention that for the academic year 21-22, face to face assessing will return for all these speaking and listening assessments. However, should public health guidance change, or a local situation emerge ESB will be able to consider using adapted assessments again (remote assessing) as Ofqual has allowed us to adapt in this way, if necessary. Secondly, regarding our position for assessing our Speech qualifications occurring internationally, it is our intention that adapted assessments (remote synchronous assessing) will be the primary method of assessing for these qualifications. Ofqual has allowed us to continue to adapt in this way, which is still necessary given the challenges of international travel. Remote synchronous assessing will continue to be offered to you at the prices advertised on our website for the UK based learners. We hope, of course, to be able to offer face to face assessing as well once the situation changes and for this, we will use the advertised speech international booking and pricing structure. However, for the meantime it is remote assessing only. Thirdly, we are excited to remind you about our 70/70 Campaign which aims to reach learners facing disadvantage due to socio-economic factors, disability and migration status. You can read about how our campaign has already supported learners from the Rainbow Education Multi-Academy Trust and there is also news about the work we are doing for our learners

with special educational needs and disabilities to make sure that our speech portfolio really allows these disadvantaged learners to achieve their potential which is central to what we do here at ESB. This edition will also highlight new opportunities that we can provide for your ESOL Skills for Life learners to enable them to further develop their English Language skills through our ESOL International portfolio of qualifications. Please see if any of these qualifications will suit your learners. In recognition of the challenges many schools and centres have been facing over the past 18 months, we have taken the positive step of reducing our minimum booking fee for centres wishing to enrol their learners for Primary Age Speech and Group Speaking assessments. At ESB, we really appreciate the loyalty of our centres, so this is our way of giving something back. You will also be able to read two stories from friends of ESB, who met our Founder, Christabel Burniston, at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. These two stories highlight just how ESB’s reach continues to have a positive impact on its learners. We do hope that you will enjoy reading this ESB News and feel that it keeps you up to date with what’s happening. We would love to hear from you about anything you would like to see, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. On behalf of all the team, we hope you have a really good and successful Autumn/Winter term. Best wishes, Tina

In Memory of ESB Friend, Patsy Musto

It was with great sadness that ESB recently learnt of the passing of ESB ambassador Patsy Musto. Our condolences go to her family and friends.

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Reaching Learners Facing Disadvantage

70/70 Campaign

English Speaking Board (International) celebrates its 70 th Anniversary in 2023

Launched to mark ESB’s achievements over the past 70 years and to mirror the innovation of our founder, Christabel Burniston, ESB’s 70/70 Campaign aims to find and financially support by 2023, 70 organisations where their young people or community members face disadvantage due to socio economic factors, disability or migration status and would be supported in their aspirations if they could achieve an ESB qualification.

ESB will support them financially to access its assessments, support and training.

ESB Learners from Heygreen Primary School

ESB continues to prepare today’s learner for tomorrow’s world through its assessments – particularly reaching out to those learners facing disadvantage!

minority groups and those who speak English as an additional language. Learners identified as having

Special Educational needs and/or learning disabilities is also higher than average.

It is removing barriers to learning by supporting disadvantaged learners from schools within the Rainbow Education Multi-Academy Trust to access its assessments as part of its 70/70 Campaign!

ESB’s assessments are part of the growing range of school-wide activities that the Trust provides which help to support the broader development of their learners’ English Language skills and which help to improve their outcomes. Research from Sutton Trust in February 2019, for the APPG for Social Mobility, found that from the age of five, the UK's most disadvantaged children can be 19 months behind their more affluent peers in vocabulary development, and this deficit can have life-long consequences. By not developing our children’s language and communication skills from the earliest opportunity, we are limiting our workforce and the economy. With the above in mind, improving the life chances of all children to reach their maximum potential and inspiring high-quality communication in people is something ESB and the Rainbow MAT recognise, with both parties being engaged in the value of oracy as a vehicle for social mobility.

Established to provide the best possible education to children across the Merseyside City Region, the Rainbow MAT consists of a group of innovative schools where their young people face disad- vantage, and who all share a common mission similar to that of ESB, to ‘inspire children to grow up and have a positive impact on their world’.

ESB has already successfully enabled learners at one of the Trust’s schools, Heygreen Primary School, access to its qualifications.

With many learners facing disadvantage due to socio-economic factors, disability and migration status, the proportion of disadvantaged pupils at Heygreen Primary School is well above the national average as is the proportion of pupils from ethnic

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ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw and ESB’s Communications Team visited the school during the preparation of the learners’ assessments to gain a clearer insight into their ESB experience. Watch the video below capturing highlights from our visit:

Class teacher and Oracy lead, Andrea Beed expressed her thoughts on teaching ESB and the subsequent positive impact it has had on her pupils. “As a teacher, it’s my goal to help all learners reach their potential and effective communication skills are important in every aspect of life. ESB has given my pupils that focus and something to work towards.” Adds Nicola Rutter, Head Teacher of Heygreen Primary School, “Last year, we launched our partnership with ESB with a small group of learners from Y6. This was through the running of a small lunchtime group that we called 'Star Speakers'. This group was run by our oracy lead, Andrea Beed. As a result of this group's participation in the Speech assessment, we identified that the impact on their speaking skills, self-esteem and independent learning was significant and, as a result, we are now furthering our partnership with ESB with our Y4 and Y5 classes. Y4 will take part in the Group Speaking assessment and Y5 will be assessed, individually, in the Speech assessment. The children and staff are extremely excited to incorporate the ESB assessments into our KS2 Spoken Language curriculum. We really believe in the value of this partnership, as it is supporting our pupils in developing a range of skills; helping to prepare them for the next stage of their education. “

Says Tina, “I am delighted to join forces with the Trust, enabling more disadvantaged learners to get their voices heard. Here at ESB, the learner is not a performer of studied pieces, but a person taking their place in society as a worker, a citizen. We do not only assess what the young person knows or says, but what they have become. We are passionate about closing the disadvantage gap.”

Look at what some of the learners at Heygreen had to say about their ESB experience!

‘’ I used to be very shy, but when I started ESB it helped me get up in front of people and talk about things that I ’ ve never been able to talk about ”.

“ The more you speak, the more confident you feel ”.

“ We have enjoyed ESB a lot because it has helped boost our confidence! ”

The Rainbow MAT is one of our groups that is using ESB to further its cause, but ESB would like to help many more. If you are interested in finding out whether your centre is eligible for funding and wish to know the options available to you, please email business@esbuk.org. If you believe your learners or young people would benefit from ESB assessments, we would love to hear from you! For further details about our 70/70 Campaign, please click here.

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Reaching Learners Facing Disadvantage

How are we currently supporting learners facing disadvantage?

ESB has a long history of supporting disadvantaged learners. An example of this is our unique Speech portfolio of qualifications for learners with significant special needs and disabilities. We are dedicated to offering this group of learners opportunities to develop and demonstrate their Oracy skills and build their confidence in order for them to lead full and productive lives. “ People with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed when compared with the general population ”, according to new data from the Bureau of Labour Statistics (2020). This statement reveals the severity of the inequality that exists and which some of the most disadvantaged groups in society face. There is still so much evidence of people with disabilities facing barriers to learning that hinder their access to opportunities. At ESB, we want to reach these learners who face disadvantage and help equip them with the essential life skills they need to thrive in education, training and employment, giving them the life choices and freedoms they are entitled to. It has been a consistent aim since ESB’s inception to unlock learners’ potential – to stretch the most able, support the least confident and close the disadvantage gap. We have long felt the need to focus on our qualifications for learners with significant special educational needs and disabilities to provide equality and the same opportunities for all. One of ESB’s Ambassadors, Hrishi Venkatesh, explains his personal journey with Autism and how ESB assessments helped him to become a confident communicator in the video below.

Hrishi made an appearance on BBC Breakfast Television where he talked about his ESB journey and has also presented to Parliament about his perspectives on social mobility as a learner with Asperger’s. Although recognising that like many people who live with Asperger’s he had good language skills, he felt that oracy training enhanced his communication skills. He says: “I wanted social communication but didn’t know how to go about getting it. That changed in Year 4 when I found ESB, which was so beneficial to me. It helped me with presenting skills, it helped me with eye contact which I used to struggle with a lot and it also showed me how to interact with people. It also helped me to listen to people - I didn’t know how to see things from other people’s perspectives, but talking to people and learning to understand them was brilliant. I also experienced an unparalleled sense of achievement with every qualification I got which boosted my confidence even more. Oracy Skills, developed from an early age can help bridge the social mobility gap for people like me, with disabilities such as Autism.” Hrishi is just one of our learners to have been positively impacted by completing ESB assessments. We have also reached out to learners with special educational needs and disabilities at Belfast Metropolitan College who have benefitted from our Speech assessments which provide meaningful learning pathways for these students who have significant learning needs. Associate Lecturer at Belfast Met, Juliet Meighan, coordinates ESB qualifications and received ESB’s Burniston Bell Award in recognition of her exceptional and truly inspirational work with ESB learners. She talks about her ESB experience in the video below.

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As part of our 70/70 Campaign to help disadvantaged learners, we have refreshed our portfolio of Speech qualifications for learners with significant special educational needs and disabilities!

Building Confidence in Communication Entry level qualifications

Anthea Wilson, Product Development Manager, explains the improvements: This group of 14 entry-level qualifications is designed to promote confidence, oracy and communication skills in learners who have significant special educational needs and disabilities. In addition, these qualifications can help remove barriers to learning by enabling access to a wide range of curricula, building relationships and a sense of belonging, and developing self-esteem and a positive self-identity. ESB has been offering these qualifications since 2011, so we decided to review them, bring them up-to-date and provide a package of support for tutors and learners. Many things have not changed. The content of the qualifications and the level of demand is the same, as well as the emphasis on communication and real-life skills. Learners will still receive personalised report forms with their result, and do their assessments in groups with their peers to encourage active listening skills and personalisation. What is new is a package of teacher support materials which suggest ways of isolating and practising effective speaking and listening skills. Please click here to access these resources: Building Confidence in Communication Teacher Resources - English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. The resources include lesson plans, games and activities, videos, audios and PowerPoint presentations to use with learners in a range of settings. Registered centres will be able to access these on our website. We have also revised and reissued the Specifications, with more detail on content and assessment. The qualifications are grouped into three categories: Communication for Interviews and the Workplace, Communication via the Arts, and Communication for Independent Living and Social Interaction.    (esbuk.org). There are three groups of activities: everyday interaction, giving a presentation, and fine-tuning the message. They can be adapted and differentiated for students working at different levels, and there are also some tips on inclusive practice in the classroom.

We believe that developing oral communication strategies is one of the keys to living an independent life and that all learners should have access to courses that prepare them for independence in the real world, and we are proud to share this exciting product with our customers - innovative qualifications that are enjoyable and motivating to work towards, and a teacher support package that supports learning and teaching in today’s learning environment. When can I book these qualifications? You are able to book these qualifications as normal! If you would like some help with the booking process, please contact a member of our Customer Experience team at customer@esbuk.org. How much will these qualifications cost? All of our Building Confidence in Communication Entry level qualifications are priced at £44.00 per learner. Please note, financial support may be available for some centres. If you would like to find out about the financial support that ESB could offer your centre, Are you interested in completing our refreshed portfolio of Speech qualifications for learners with special educational needs and disabilities? There is no time like the present, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today! If you would like to find out more information about these qualifications, please email product@esbuk.org. Alternatively, if you have not yet registered as an ESB Centre but would like to come on board, please contact a member of our Business Development Team at business@esbuk.org. Our purpose is to support all learners to possess the oracy skills they need in order to achieve their aspirations. This goal can only be achieved by closing the disadvantage gap! please contact a member of our Business Development Team at business@esbuk.org.

These specifications will be available to download on our website from Friday 22 nd October.

Juliet Meighan and Tina Renshaw

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How is ESB supporting Centres to close the disadvantage gap?

Reaching learners facing disadvantage

A priority for ESB is to support as many disadvantaged groups as possible from the charity and community sectors, as well as educational centres.

Findings so far…..

Impact of the Christabel-Funded Level 3 Certificate in Speech (Grade 8) qualifications on Disadvantaged Learners

The Christabel Burniston Fund, established in honour of our founder, Christabel Burniston MBE, facilitates access to our suite of speech and language qualifications to groups and organisations which are seeking to close the disadvantage gap. We hope to support organisations where their learners face disadvantage and we will support them financially to access our assessments, support and training. In return for support through our Christabel Burniston Fund, we ask that our centres participate in a simple data collection exercise, outlining their learners’ progression before and after their assessments. Learners also complete a questionnaire before and after their assessments. This data helps ESB to understand the impact and importance of oracy and communication assessment, particularly amongst learners who face a range of disadvantage factors: socio-economic, special educational needs and disabilities, migration status and ethnicity.

After completion of ESB assessments:

100% of learners progressed from competent to highly competent in using Standard English when the context and audience required it. The ability to work as a team and communicate effectively in a group improved for all learners. All learners improved from competent to highly competent in both planning for different purposes and audiences, including selecting and organising information, and planning ideas effectively and persuasively for formal spoken presentations and debates. Listening skills showed consistent improvement. 64% of learners were competent, and 36% were judged to not be competent before the qualification preparation period, but by the end 64% of learners were highly competent and 36% were competent at listening to and building on the contributions of others, asking questions to clarify and inform, and challenging courteously when necessary.

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ESB will produce an annual report of collated data reflecting on the impact of the fund as a whole so keep an eye out for this!

Centres who provide data will also receive a centre-level support to use to evidence the impact of ESB assessments on their learners. We have already started collecting some impact data as a result of our Christabel Burniston-funded qualifications and we are extremely happy with the outcomes for disadvantaged learners up to the present time.

ESB looks forward to a medium to long term relationship with our financially supported centres to allow us to show the impact of Oracy skills and its assessment beyond short term factors. Please email Christabelburnistonfund@esbuk.org if you want to find out more about the Christabel Burniston Fund.

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ESB thanks Friends of ESB for their Donations to our 70/70 Campaign

ESB is passionate about closing the disadvantage gap as part of its 70/70 Campaign which is instrumental in reaching out and opening up a whole world of opportunities for learners facing disadvantage. The continued support from ESB friends is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to the following Friends of ESB who have made donations to our 70/70 Campaign.

Daphne James, long-standing friend of ESB and CB Fund contributor

"I am conscious of what ESB has given me over the years and would love to give something back. Also, it is a way of giving something in everlasting memory of Coidy (Christabel Burniston) and Jo (Jocelyn Bell) who were very influential in my life. "I am so glad that their legacy lives on and that today’s assessments are a lasting memorial to their vision. I really believed in what ESB tried to do with its assessments in Spo- ken English and I earnestly hope that many more State Schools will take it on board and benefit from all it has to offer."

Karen Butler, long-standing friend of ESB and CB Fund contributor

"ESB has been a very important part of my life as a teacher, assessor and promoter of oracy over the years, so I am delighted to support the 70/70 venture in memory of my life-long friend and mentor Christabel Burniston."

James Patrick, long-standing friend of ESB and CB Fund contributor

"I shared almost all of the 70 years with Coidy (Christabel Burniston) and Jo (Joceyln Bell)! I became a member back in 1956 and know the beginnings of ESB so well. I would like to send my very best wishes and hopes for the next 70 years."

Carolyn McKenzie, Hon Treasurer ASCA, long-standing friend of ESB and CB Fund contributor

"I am writing on behalf of the Australian Speech Communication Association (ASCA) which was founded by Gina Pioro (formerly Penkyman) at ESB. I remember a time when Christabel Burniston visited Sydney and at a meeting addressed many interested people. By law the organisation had to have an Australian name and so ASCA was born about 45 years ago. It has grown to be one of the most successful examining bodies in Australia."

Thayalan Reddy, long-standing friend of ESB and CB Fund contributor

"I have been a life member of ESB for several years and based in Durban, South Africa. I am grateful to ESB for enhancing my professional standing with the awarding of a Fellowship of ESB in 1984."

Shelagh Snell, long-standing friend of ESB and CB Fund contributor

Belinda Singleton, long-standing friend of ESB and CB Fund contributor

If you would like to make a contribution to the 70/70 Campaign Fund, please contact a member of our Business Development Team at business@esbuk.org. We’d love to hear from you.

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ESOL International qualifications: Opportunities for ESOL learners in the UK following Brexit

Speech

ESB is now offering UK based ESOL learners the opportunity to further develop their English language skills!

Find out which of our ESOL International qualifications are best suited to your UK based learners ESOL Skills for Life and ESOL International assess- ments differ, therefore there is not necessarily a di- rect progression that is the same for every learner. Please read the information below and encourage your learners to try out our mini-tests to see which test is the most appropriate level!

Tes.com , the global education organisation supporting teachers and educational organisations around the world, recently published an article highlighting the need for a new ESOL strategy following Brexit, which could, with the support of ESB, provide opportunities for your ESOL learners in the UK to further develop their English language skills.

I have completed:

You should try:

If your learners are progressing from ESOL Skills for Life qualifications at Entry 3, Level 1 or Level 2, ESB has an ESOL International qualification suitable for them.

ESOL Skills for Life Entry 3

ESOL International B1 or B2 ESOL International B2 or C1 ESOL International C1 or C2

ESOL Skills for Life Level 1

ESOL Skills for Life Level 2

What ESOL International qualifications does ESB offer?

ESB operates a successful and wide-ranging portfolio of communicative, accessible, and Ofqual-regulated ESOL International qualifications at B1, B2, C1 and C2 level.

Mini-Tests

ESB Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (Entry 3) (B1) ESB Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (B2) ESB Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (C1) ESB Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (C2)

Our high-quality assessments, mapped to the Common European Framework (CEFR) enable learners, at each stage of their journey, to achieve a high quality, internationally recognised qualification at the CEFR level appropriate to them and their educational circumstances, boosting their progression and employability. The CEFR is used all over Europe and internationally as a framework for learning, teaching and assessment. These four qualifications are suitable for learners who wish to improve their level of general English for personal, academic or professional reasons. Learners are assessed in five core language skills; listening, speaking, reading, writing and the use of English – we call this All Modes as we assess all of the skills to create an overall outcome. By giving them the ability to develop these communicative skills, they will be well-equipped with essential life skills and confidence needed to communicate worldwide. Watch them flourish as its impact goes way beyond the classroom!

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Features of the ESOL International qualifications for UK Based Learners

They are appropriate for teenagers and adults.

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 They encourage progression and measure learners’ attainment as they move through the CEFR levels on their learning journey.  There are five sections: Listening, Reading, Use of English and Writing are tested in one written paper, and there is a Speaking assessment taken in pairs.  Each section is worth 20% of the final mark, i.e. the final mark is a combination of four skills and Use of English.

 The Listening, Reading and Use of English sections are tested through multiple choice questions.

There are three Pass grades – Pass, Merit and Distinction.

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 ESB Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (C2) carries UCAS points – 12 for a Pass, 24 for Merit and 36 for a Distinction.  Learners are able to complete assessments online which can be completed in the learner’s home or in centre based IT facilities. Find out more about our intuitive and easy-to-use online assessment option here.

 Speaking assessments are taken in pairs, with an assessor and an interlocutor.

 Marking and assessing is by ESB and subject to ESB quality assurance processes.

 High quality secure electronic certificates can be provided for learners, making ESB’s qualifications more digitally accessible and efficient. Learners can view electronic versions of their certificates and transcripts and share them electronically with third parties such as Universities and prospective Employers. Click here to read more about ESB’s electronic certificates.

We have an excellent working relationship with a number of high-quality UK and international centres who manage a range of satellite centres or venues where ESB ESOL international assessments take place, or alternatively, ESB can provide online assessments to its UK and international partners.

If you happen to be a centre outside of the UK reading this and are interested in finding out more about our ESOL International qualifications, please click here. We are always looking for like-minded UK and International centres who share the same goal to improve their learners’ English language skills to work with us. If you would like to find out more about becoming an ESB centre, please email business@esbuk.org. Our ESOL International assessments can be taken online by both UK and International learners.

Here at ESB, we are committed to providing qualifications of the highest standards at centres all over the world. Become a part of the ESB International family today!

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Welcome

We welcome our newly registered centres to our ESB Family!

St Olave's Prep School Harrow International School, Bangkok St Louis School, Milan Foremarke International School, Dubai The Hampshire School, Chelsea Liskeard School Rainbow Education MAT Holly Lodge School Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Wolverhampton Girls High School Our new exclusively licensed International centre ESBinSerbia

If you would like to become an ESB Centre, please contact a member of our Business Development Team at business@esbuk.org.

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Attention all centres, ESB wants to hear from you!

ESB is always looking at ways to improve its service for its centres. The best way to do this is to find out exactly what individual centres want - deliver it where possible - and as a result build customer loyalty and high satisfaction levels. Your honest feedback enables ESB to provide an outstanding customer experience to all. After receiving so many high quality reviews on our Trustpilot Account relating to our assessments and assessors, ESB would also appreciate your real time feedback about the service provided by our Head Office staff. Have you had outstanding support booking your assessments from a member of our Customer Experience Team? Has our Finance Team helped you to resolve an issue to an exceptionally high standard? Have you had fantastic qualification support from a member in Products/ Quality Assurance? Have you had a positive and helpful experience with a member of our Communications Team? Have you had excellent support in registering as a new centre from our Business Development Team?     

What steps should you take if you would like to leave ESB a review on Trustpilot? Please follow this link to start your review: https://uk.trustpilot.com/ evaluate/esbuk.org You will need to register as a Trustpilot user to leave a review. If you do not already have an account, this will be done automatically. If you need any guidance on how to write a review, please read Trustpilot ’ s guidelines here: https://uk.legal.trustpilot.com/ for - reviewers/guidelines - for - reviewers

Let us know formally through our Trustpilot Account today!

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We continue to put our Centres and Learners first

Booking Fee

English Speaking Board (International) has taken the positive step of reducing its minimum booking fee for centres wishing to enrol their learners for Primary Age Speech and Group Speaking assessments. In recognition of the challenges many schools and centres have been facing over the past 18 months, ESB is delighted to announce that it has reduced the minimum booking fee for Primary Age Speech qualifications by £100.00 and by £200.00 for Group Speaking Qualifications. These changes are designed to allow more learners to access its qualifications.

“We are also aiming to support more schools to access our assessments through our 70/70 Campaign, launched to mark ESB’s achievements over the past 70 years. Our 70/70 Campaign aims to

find and financially support by 2023, 70 organisations where their young people or

community members face disadvantage due to socio economic factors, disability or migration status and would be supported in their aspirations if they could achieve an ESB qualification.

“This is not the first time that ESB has provided financial support to grant learners access to its qualifications. The Christabel Burniston Fund has supported more than 40 centres over the last three academic years and the 70/70 Campaign is an expansion on the support we already offer.”

The new minimum booking fees are as follows: -

ESB values transparency as one of its most defining characteristics and it hopes that this adjustment to its prices will deepen its working relationship with centres.

£350.00 (Primary Age Speech Qualifications)

Click here to view our Prices page. Additionally, if you would like to find out more about ESB’s 70/70 Campaign, please click here.

£250.00 (Group Speaking Qualifications only)

ESB has been supporting learners to possess the oracy and English language skills they need in order to achieve their aspirations for nearly 70 years !

Please note, the minimum booking fee for centres booking Secondary Age Speech Qualifications remains the same with a minimum fee of £450.00.

Says ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, “We are always striving to make sure the cost does not get in the way of learners accessing our qualifications. I felt it was particularly important to recognise that some new centres, with smaller numbers, may have been dissuaded in trialling our assessments due to the minimum booking fee. I am hopeful that from September 2021, the changes to our minimum booking fees for our Speech qualifications will have a positive impact enabling more learners to access our assessments, and ultimately providing them with oracy skills that will last them a lifetime.

ESB Learners at Ellis Guilford School

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ESOL Skills for Life

Listen to what some of our ESOL Skills for Life Assessors have to say…..

Our team of flexible assessors come from all walks of life but they share a common goal—to bring out the very best in every learner. Sympathetic to each Individual’s background and situation, from the moment an assessor meets your learners, provision for ongoing support and encouragement is given. Their input is invaluable to the overall ESB experience.

Watch the videos of Diana Lim (Video 1) and Jo Thorp (Video 2) talking about their experience as an Assessor!

To find out more about our ESOL Skills for Life qualifications, please click here.

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ESB continues to impact positively on learners facing disadvantage almost 70 years since its inception by our Founder, Christabel Burniston

ESB ’ s Impact

ESB’s early ethos, to inspire and place great value on every individual, still holds true today.

ESB continues to reach out to learners facing disadvantage, supporting the least confident and realising the potential of all. Speaking and understanding language is a crucial skill which under- pins all learning and the provision of ESB’s speech assessments gives learners equal opportunities to develop these essential life skills, boosting confidence and employability, which impacts them well beyond the classroom.

The following stories from friends of ESB, who met Christabel at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, are two examples of how ESB’s reach continues to have a positive impact on learners.

Melanie Novis (L.T.C.L., H.P.T.D.)

President of Corporate Speech consultants and award-winning educator and author of “Canadian Public Speaking”, Melanie Novis, outlines her connection to English Speaking Board (with the help of some detective work by ESB Member, Shelagh Snell and ESB Honorary Vice-President and Trustee, Merriel Halsall-Williams).

“Let me begin with the origins of my relationship with ESB. I attended the University of Cape Town between 1965 and 1968 as a student of speech and drama with the aim of earning my speech teacher’s certificate.

“Christabel came to our Drama Department to teach one of our classes, and my life changed. She introduced us to her philosophy of teaching speech, and told us about the wonderful work that the ESB was doing in schools in the UK. “Prior to this point, from the age of 10, I attended private speech classes once a week with my first speech teacher, Hinda Cohen. Then, when I decided that I wanted to take the Trinity examinations. I began lessons with Jose Matthews. Elocution and precision of speech was valued. “Christabel opened my mind to an alternative way of thinking about spoken English. She advocated that every accent was acceptable, and that each student, irrespective of their accent, was encouraged to articulate their ideas or opinions without being judged negatively. This was such a novel approach for white South Africans who conveyed a superior attitude, particularly if they themselves spoke with refined, standard English. “Once I qualified, I began teaching at two private schools and one public school in South Africa. In 1975, I moved to Canada and established the School of Speech and Drama. In 1984, I connected with ESB and became a member. I entered my pupils for ESB exams. It was a wonderful experience for my pupils. They gained the experience and recognition that the assessments offered them. “My students benefitted enormously from the assessments and the kind, encouraging manner of the ESB assessors. Plus they learned valuable spoken skills that would benefit them for a lifetime. In fact one student who began studying with me at the age of 5, took an ESB exam each year. Now, at 17 years of age, he still speaks of the positive influence these assessments had upon him. It gave him the confidence to interview for work, to speak up in classes at his university and to communicate effectively with peers and adults. “In 1995, I attended a conference at Beaumont Hall, Leicester. In 2000, I attended an ESB conference at Magdalen College, Oxford. At both conferences, where I met ESB members, I learned new teaching methods and embraced new ideas. These conferences were highlights of my career.” Melanie’s love of spoken language endures, and she has recently written an article called “The Presenter’s Edge”. Please click here to view the article which offers tips and techniques for speakers who wish to elevate their speech from a level of skill to a level of art. “As far as the records go, David Beeching came to Canada as an assessor in the late 1980’s. Shelagh Snell confirms that she came to assess my students on two occasions, one being in 1996. The third assessor was Daphne James.

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Thayalan Reddy

“Almost five decades ago on a visit to the University of Natal Library in Durban I fortuitously came across a journal entitled Spoken English. I was an English Lecturer at the Springfield College of Education and on B.A.; University Education Diploma (Natal), B.A. Hons (UNISA), MA General Linguistics, Cert. In TESOL (Pittsburgh), FESB (Int) UK, Gold Medal English Academy of SA.

Thaylan in Southport with Christabel, Jocelyn and officials

browsing through this publication found the articles stimulating as many of the ideas enunciated were in accord with my own views on spoken English. Subsequently my eyes caught an application form for membership. As the value of the rand was favourable vis a vis the British pound, I took the enlightened step of applying for life membership of ESB from 1973. This is tantamount to my being a member for almost half a century. “As a lecturer in English, I was invited to contribute to our Department of Education Bulletin in 1973. (This was the apartheid era with different education departments for different races. Our college fell within the ambit of Indian education.) My article drew generously from ESB publications Speech for Life (Burniston) and Into the life of things (Bell and Burniston) amongst other language texts. “In the mid seventies I was successful in an application for a Fulbright Scholarship to study for an MA in General Linguistics and TESOL at the University of Pittsburgh adding to my academic credentials in language education. But ESB activities were always in my ken. I was keen on attending the ESB Conference in Shropshire and was fortunate to secure part funding by the Anglo-American Company to attend this event which took place between 27 and 31 July, 1981. This enabled me to connect personally with the charismatic Christabel Burniston and Betty Mulcahy amongst a host of other eminent language practitioners. This led to a visit by Christabel Burniston accompanied by Denise King to South Africa in April 1982. (Vide extracts from Teachers Association of South Africa News April 1982 for comprehensive programme during the visit. A few eyebrows must have been raised because this was visiting apartheid South Africa but the educational focus ameliorated such concerns.) This visit which included pilot demonstration examining of candidates from primary and secondary schools eventually paved the way for ESB examinations being conducted in South Africa at primary, secondary and tertiary levels in KwaZulu Natal under the watchful eyes of Denise King and other experts. Unfortunately, this examination programme could not be sustained owing to logistical difficulties. But the benefits of the programme were appreciated for many years by language practitioners. “A further point of interest is that considering my interaction with ESB personnel and promotion of the values of the organisation I applied for the Fellowship of the ESB IN 1984 with the mandatory requirements. I was charmed to hear of acceptance and was able to attend the ESB Conference at St Andrews College in Glasgow where I was delighted to receive the award and in my acceptance speech able to reflect on interaction with ESB philosophy and promoters over the years. An interesting perk during this visit was attending the Mayoral reception and also my being able to attend the final day of the British Open Golf Tournament. “The last ESB conference I attended was at the University of Liverpool close to the iconic Penny Lane which I strolled along in sheer delight humming the Beatle’s ditty with dubious lyrical expertise. I also presented a paper on Multilingualism in South Africa and the need to eschew parochialism in a multi-lingual country. The conference organisers also arranged a trip to the Lake District and what a delight it was to be seated with Betty Mulcahy for the duration of the trip and to be regaled by reminiscences of a rich life in the artistic milieu. Many new friends were made during this delightful conference.

“Of anecdotal interest is the fact that on account of serving language education in the country in a variety of forums and being on the Executive of the English Academy of Southern Africa for almost two decades I was a recipient of The English Academy Gold Medal in 2010. It was indeed gratifying to have such recognition in one’s home country.”

ESB stalwarts, Glasgow

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Thaylan with Christabel, looking over Fellowship Award , Glasgow

Say hello to our ne

Isaac Hart Educational Delivery Support Officer Isaac joins ESB to provide support to the Educational Delivery Team, including all matters relating to product development, quality assurance and assessment. He has a BA (Hons) degree in Digital Film Production and Screenwriting and an MA in Art Gallery and Museum Studies. Isaac enjoys meeting and greeting visitors at Southport’s Atkinson Art Gallery, using his wealth of knowledge gained through his MA to enrich their tours. Says Isaac: “I joined ESB straight after finishing my master’s degree, and I couldn’t have found a better place to work! The whole team has been so welcoming and supportive, and I feel as if I’ve slotted in very quickly. I appreciate all the opportunities I’ve been given to grow my skillset and build my experience in the sector. It’s a brilliant place to work, and I feel very lucky to be here!”

Lauren Kearney Product Developer

Having worked as a Secondary English teacher across a range of educational settings (including one of ESB’s loyal centres: Abbey Gate College) for the last eight years, Lauren brings her wealth of knowledge and experience to ESB. She is responsible for co-ordinating the production of qualifications and assessments and for providing specialist guidance for our Speech portfolio of assessments. She also enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her 4 month-old son. Says Lauren: “I am incredibly excited to have joined the team at ESB, who have been super-welcoming and kind in my first weeks. It’s obvious that everybody is extremely knowledgeable and there’s so much expertise and experience for me to learn from! Oracy has always been close to my heart as a teacher, so I can’t wait to contribute more and to help make a difference towards closing the disadvantage gap.”

Dan Eely & A IT Te

With IT at the core of everything we do, Dan and Alex a Services, as well as developing technology systems to suppo experienced IT Services professional with a demonstrat industry across many sectors. Dan takes an interest in all th importantly, enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. the team, it has been a delight. All the staff are so we qualifications to learners. It is truly rema Alex recently graduated with a BSc in Computer Science from L as he enjoys collecting classic Vinyl records from the 60s and pla team has made me feel very comfo

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ew team members

Georgie Anderson Customer Experience Officer

Georgie joined the team after graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) degree in Primary Education from Edge Hill University. She thrives on helping people to resolve queries in the best possible way with her warm and confident approach. Georgie takes an interest in all health and fitness matters and enjoys long walks with her pet dog, Daisy. Says Georgie: “ESB is such a special place to work. The staff are very friendly and I love being part of such an experienced and knowledgeable team. It is so rewarding to help our centres through the customer experience process and to be able to use my effective communication skills on a daily basis.”

Jo Smith Customer Experience Officer

Effectively administering the customer experience process for our clients, Jo is responsible for resolving any customer experience issues and putting the customer first every step of the way. After graduating with a 2:1 Bachelor of Honours in Law & Business, she set up her own business in the wedding industry. 10 years and thousands of weddings later, she joined ESB. Outside of work, Jo enjoys walks with her 2 dogs and is passionate about the environment and sustainability. Says Jo: “I feel very lucky to be part of such a wonderful organisation and everyone has made me feel very welcome. I recently organised a gender reveal party at work where I got my team to bite into fluffy cupcakes to discover a coloured surprise inside! Another ESB family member is on the way as I am expecting a baby girl!”

Alex Pople eam are responsible for the operational management of IT ort the business. Having worked in IT for 17 years, Dan is an ted history of working in the information technology hings sport including football, golf and running and most Says Dan, “From my very first meeting with Tina and the rest of elcoming, friendly and passionate about delivering arkable how strong the team spirit is!” Lancaster University. Outside of work, he has a flair for music ays guitar. Says Alex: “ESB is such a great place to work and the ortable right from the very start!”

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English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.®

9 Hattersley Court, Burscough Road, Ormskirk L39 2AY

T. +44 1695 573 439 | E. business@esbuk.org | www.esbuk.org | twitter.com/esbuk

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Registered in England Company no. 01269980 Registered as a Charity no. 272565