ESB News - Autumn-Winter 2021 v7

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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