English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) is a UK-based organisation that delivers teaching and examinations in

oral communication Conversation is interactive communication between two or more people. The development of conversational skills and etiquette is an important part of socialization. The development of conversational skills in a new language is a frequent focus ...

and the

language arts Language arts (also known as English language arts or ELA) is the study and improvement of the arts of language. Traditionally, the primary divisions in language arts are literature and language, where language in this case refers to both lingu ...

. It works with schools, businesses, prisons, special needs groups and people for whom English is not a first language.

History

English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) was founded in 1953 as a charitable organisation by Christabel Burniston, a pioneer of a new approach to developing speech and listening skills. Breaking away from the traditional ‘

elocution Elocution is the study of formal speaking in pronunciation, grammar, style, and tone as well as the idea and practice of effective speech and its forms. It stems from the idea that while communication is symbolic, sounds are final and compelli ...

’ classes and exams of the era, ESB’s approach was to enable individuals to learn and be tested on their communication skills in a supportive group. The ESB method of assessment placed the candidate – rather than the examiner – as the authority in the examination. Other professional teaching organisations recognised the merits of this approach and were later to reflect these ideas – notably the 1963

Newsom Report The Newsom Report of 1963 is a United Kingdom government report, entitled ''Half our Future''. It argued that the future of the country depended on better education for “pupils of average and less-than-average ability”. The report was produced ...

''Half Our Future''. Education journalist Susan Elkin noted in ''

The Stage ''The Stage'' is a British weekly newspaper and website covering the entertainment industry and particularly theatre. It was founded in 1880. It contains news, reviews, opinion, features, and recruitment advertising, mainly directed at those wh ...

s 2006 obituary of Christabel Burniston that the ESB had anticipated the

GCSE The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a particular subject, taken in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. State schools in Scotland use the Scottish Qualifications Certificate instead. Private s ...

and

National Curriculum A national curriculum is a common programme of study in schools that is designed to ensure nationwide uniformity of content and standards in education. It is usually legislated by the national government, possibly in consultation with state or other ...

approach to speaking and listening by more than 40 years. In the 1960s, under Burniston’s stewardship, the organisation became known as ESB (International), extending its influence to other English-speaking countries, including Singapore, Kenya, Cyprus and Malta.

English Speaking Board today

English Speaking Board is a national awarding organisation offering qualifications focused on communication skills at school, in college and throughout life. Its qualifications are recognised and mapped to the relevant National Core Curriculum requirements and it works in close partnership with educational centres across the UK, Europe and the Far East. It runs a parallel scheme for non-native speakers. Its qualifications are recognised by

Ofqual The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England. Colloquially and publicly, Ofqual is often referred to as the exam "watchdog ...

. and SQA. Monday, 13 September 2021

References

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External links

English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.
Organizations established in 1953 Educational charities based in the United Kingdom English language 1953 establishments in the United Kingdom