|
"Oral
language is the medium we use to make friends, earn a living,
and become participating members of the community. It is through
speech that we assimilate the thoughts, opinions, ideas, emotions,
humour, wisdom, common-sense, even moral and spiritual values
of those around us and it is through perceptive listening and
courteous speaking that we move towards breaking down social,
professional and racial barriers."
Christabel Burniston MBE, Founder and President of ESB
MISSION STATEMENT
The English Speaking Board pledges to provide quality assessments
and service in oral communication in the UK and overseas, recognising
the potential of all our candidates and promoting and sharing
the benefits of clear, effective communication at all levels.
ESB
GOALS
1. Board:
To ensure procedures are in place and used to develop and promote
a strategic policy on a sound financial basis in the best interests
of ESB’s customers and personnel.
2.
Office:
To offer efficient services to customers and examiners and effective
training and development to its own staff.
3.
Assessors:
To provide appropriate training and development programmes in
the context of customer needs, and of assessors as intellectual
assets.
4.
Specifications
To review and update, as appropriate, all specifications for both
content and presentation, to ensure their relevance and coherence
against national standards.
5.
Customers:
To provide relevant, speedy and accurate information, response
and services, seeking feedback from internal and external customers
and promoting the value of ESB.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY STATEMENT
The
English Speaking Board is an Educational Charity and Awarding
Body, which provides graded assessments in oral communication
in 5 main categories: Schools, Vocational and Professional, Certificate
of Achievement, EAL (English as an Acquired Language) and ESOL.
This
statement sets out ESB’s commitment to strive for equality
of opportunity for all. It is intended to encourage more involvement
in the organisation, as administrative staff, examiners / assessors,
candidates and members. The aim of the English Speaking Board
is primarily to promote and encourage spoken English and the related
skills for effective oral communication.
ESB
is committed, within its areas of activity, to the prevention
of discrimination on the grounds of age, colour, disability, ethnic
and national origin, gender, marital status, political or religious
belief, race, sexual orientation or trade union activity.
Although
the means of assessment is “spoken English”, ESB accepts
that even where the mother tongue is English, there are as many
brands of spoken English as there are regions where English is
spoken, and holds the belief that the English language is enriched
by regional accents and dialects. If, however, an accent or dialect
proves to be a barrier to effective communication, then development
of more standardised English may be encouraged, to enable greater
understanding. ESB recognises the benefits to good communication
of standard English.
ESB
assessments are held at a time and place convenient to the candidates.
In certain cases e.g. in adult education, it is possible to book
assessments to take place in the evening or at a weekend. For
this, a supplement is payable.
When
booking an assessment for the first time, contact ESB Head Office,
who will send the relevant specifications, guidelines and full
information together with an Examination Reservation Form (ERF).
The reservation, or booking form should be completed and returned
to the office at least 3 months prior to the date of the assessment
in order to guarantee the date of your choice. Please note: all
assessments are subject to assessor availability.
Following
receipt of the reservation form, centres will be asked to complete
and return a candidate registration form, stating candidate
names, gender and date of birth and confirming levels.
This should be sent, along with payment, a minimum of one month
prior to the assessment date. It is important for national
statistical purposes that these details are completed.
***Wherever
possible centres are advised to use the e-booking facility. (www.esbuk.com
) ***
While
every effort will be made for the assessment to take place on
the first choice of date selected by the centre, certain times
of year, particularly December, March, May and June, are very
busy and early booking is recommended.
Note:
Most colleges operate an auditable internal system whereby the
registration of a candidate with an awarding body is a financial
commitment. It is important therefore to work with the systems
in place at your institution and notify the relevant department
of your intention to submit candidates for assessment.
| |
Time-Tabling
An Assessment Day |
|
Each
specification gives guidance on the approximate length of each
individual assessment (see below for maximum candidate numbers).
However, in planning the day, time should be added to accommodate
the following:
Ten minutes per session for:
• Assessors beginning the session with a short
2-3 minute introduction to create a positive and relaxed atmosphere.
• Setting up of any visual material for
each candidate.
• Breaking mid-morning and for lunch. (essential
for the needs of both candidates and examiner).
It is appreciated if drinking water is made available.
Assessors will endeavour to keep to the timetable.
ESB is aware that many ESOL students have commitments
within the normal working day and is committed to working with
centres and assessors to ensure all candidates can attend assessment
sessions. However, centres are reminded that ESB ESOL
is a group assessment and candidates are required to be present
during the whole of their session (approx 1½ hours) to
fulfil all of the speaking and listening tasks.
CANDIDATE NUMBERS PER EXAMINER DAY
ESOL: Skills for Life
|
|
Grade |
|
Syllabus
timings per person |
Candidates
per hour |
|
Candidates
per day |
 |
| Pre-
entry |
4-6mins |
10-12 |
50
|
| Entry
1 |
9-11
minutes each |
5 |
20
-22 |
| Entry
2 |
10-14
minutes each |
4 |
18-20 |
| Entry
3 |
14-17
minutes each |
3 |
16-18 |
| Level
1 |
17-19
minutes each |
3 |
16-18 |
| Level
2 |
18-20 minutes each |
2.5 |
12-14 |
(Based on 9.15 - 4.00 p.m. day with lunch/coffee break and time
for opening and closing remarks)
| |
Administrative
Procedures Before The Assessment Day |
|
Once
all booking procedures are complete, the following will be sent
to the Organiser in advance of the assessment:
1. Examination Confirmation Form
2. Results List (with candidate’s unique reference number
for tracking)
3. Blank report forms
•
All candidates should have a copy of the appropriate syllabus
page(s) and should understand the requirements of the syllabus
•
The organiser or tutor should contact the examiner in advance
of the assessment to confirm start time, syllabus and grades and
to finalise details such as directions, parking, etc.
This is an opportunity for the organiser to clarify any questions
that may have arisen about the assessment and toinform the assessor
of any candidates with particular requirements.
| |
Practical
Arrangements For The Assessment Day |
|
The
layout of the room:
It is implicit in all ESB assessments that the listening group,
the candidate and the assessor are of equal importance. Each is
dependent on the other for effective communication to occur, and
each has a responsibility to the other.
As
far as possible, the seating should be in a horseshoe, with the
assessor’s table towards the side where he/she can see the
candidate and the listening group. Candidates should NOT be seated
behind desks. This type of arrangement, where all can see each
other gives a more relaxed atmosphere and helps to promote an
easy exchange of ideas between candidate, assessor and listeners.
Lay-out
of Room
Report
Forms
• Before the assessment begins the organiser should have
the completed report forms ready on the table for the examiner.
Blank report forms should be completed as follows:
Fill in:
• student’s name and centre details;
• exam reservation number (ERF) and the individual candidate
number;
• level.
Details on completing the forms are to be found on the back of
the form.
Audio/Visual
material
Arrangements should be made for the effective display/use of any
audio/visual material, and for any equipment required, such as
OHP, video, CD or cassette recorders, to be ready and in working
order to help ensure the smooth running of the day. The assessor
may require a cassette recorder or video.
Order of candidates
The order of candidates is at the discretion of the tutor and
need not be alphabetical.
In cases of difficulty, (e.g. where a candidate has work commitments)
a letter to the employer from the college / centre can be helpful.
Timing
Assessors, without unsettling the candidate, will keep as closely
as possible to the time allowance per candidate indicated in the
relevant specification. Candidates who run seriously over time
(e.g. in Section 2) may be reminded of time and asked to conclude
that section.
Observers
The organiser / tutor and other interested members of staff are
encouraged to observe the assessment as a member of the listening
group, at the discretion of the centre and of ESB. The assessment
process is, of course, independent. The assessor will involve
the whole group in the questioning and encourage participation
of all present; this helps to ensure genuine enquiry and communication.
This would always be done in accordance with the demands of the
specification.
Marks
and remarks
During the assessment the assessor will make notes as appropriate,
and mark in accordance with ESB criteria. A mark will be given
for each section and the overall grade awarded in line with the
final total.
Results
The assessor sends the results to the organiser/tutor within five
working days after the assessment.
The assessor should NEVER be asked to give or announce results
to the candidates.
The final result for each candidate is decided by the examiner
and is NOT made in consultation with the tutor. After the assessment,
however, the assessor is encouraged to discuss with the tutor
the work presented and to offer guidance for future assessments.
It must be remembered that the tutor CANNOT influence the final
result for each candidate.
To allow for sampling and standardisation procedures,
results should not be regarded as final until confirmed by Certification.
Results may go down as well as up.
Comparability
ESB assessors are trained to assess strictly in accordance with
the qualification requirements and to be thoroughly conversant
with all appropriate ESB guidelines and criteria and with the
ESOL Core Curriculum. Each syllabus must be assessed on its own
merits and it is not possible either to upgrade or to downgrade.
The result list will reflect the standard and achievement of each
group of candidates in accordance with ESB criteria.
Unsuccessful
All ESB assessors are concerned to guide, strengthen and encourage
candidates. If, however, the required criteria for a qualification
are not met the candidate will be graded as unsuccessful and clear,
constructive guidance given as to possible areas for improvement.
Moderating
If there is more than one assessor at a centre, it is essential
that moderation should take place before results are finalised.
This is to ensure that consistency of standards is maintained.
It is helpful if assessors can be given an opportunity to talk
together, e.g. during the lunch or coffee break or after the assessment.
In cases where this is impossible, moderation may take place by
phone after the assessment but before results are finalised.
FOLLOWING THE ASSESSMENT
Each
candidate will receive, via the organiser, a full written report
on each aspect of the assessment, sent via the organiser. In addition,
all successful candidates will receive, within 4-6 weeks, a certificate
from the Board showing the particular level of attainment.
The assessor will give an Assessment Evaluation Form to the organiser
or tutor at the end of the assessment. We ask that all organisers
or tutors complete this form as fully and frankly as possible.
Together with annual training, moderation and appraisal meetings
the information from these forms help us to maintain standards,
to ensure consistency of marking, to continue our efforts to run
our assessments justly and to ensure ..
EVERY STUDENT BENEFITS
| |
Candidates
With Particular Requirements |
|
ESB
is committed to meeting the needs of all those with particular
assessment requirements. Some general principles are outlined
below, but all tutors who have such candidates are asked to contact
the Board in advance of assessment. Individual needs are met on
an individual basis.
During
the initial contact between tutor and assessor any specific problems
should be made known to the assessor and general arrangements
discussed prior to the assessment.
• As in all assessments, assessors should be understanding,
sensitive and supportive to all candidates (and particularly where
there are any special requirements) without compromising the assessment
standards.
• Specialist equipment may be used as required, and specialist
staff (e.g. speech therapists) may be involved in consultation
with the Board.
Impaired
Hearing
In consultation with the Board, candidates may use specialist
staff (e.g. speech therapist or signer) as required
Impaired
Sight
ESB ESOL uses video extracts as an option for listening tasks,
but alternatives (audio tape and assessor’s voice) are always
available.
| |
Complaints
& Appeals Procedures |
|
It
is the policy of The Board to make every effort to resolve any
complaint or appeal quickly, efficiently and fairly.
Procedures
and Basis for appeal
• An appeal may arise from a factual error, such as a mismatch
between section grades awarded and the aggregate final grade,
or from some aspect of the conduct of an assessment that, in the
professional judgement of the centre organiser or appropriate
tutor, is deemed to be prejudicial to the outcome. Organisers
must endorse complaints from candidates. Organisers and candidates
should be aware that results may be adjusted either up or down
as a result of appeal
• Appeals must be made in writing to ESB Head Office within
14 days of the assessment
• Appeals must be made through the ESB organiser, stating
clearly the nature of the complaint, and should include the assessor’s
report(s) for the candidate(s) concerned
• Acknowledgement of receipt of the complaint is sent to
the organiser by the Examinations Co-ordinator within 3 days
• The Examinations Co-ordinator forwards all relevant information
from the centre, together with a copy of the assessor’s
evaluation form, to the Examiner Training Officer
• The Examiner Training Officer contacts the assessor to
confirm the information given and to seek further information
where necessary
• The Examiner Training Officer contacts the organiser/tutor
to clarify detail or for further information and usually to agree
any required course of action
• If agreement is not reached at this time, the Examiner
Training Officer makes a decision within 14 days of the appeal
arriving at ESB Head Office
• In either event, the Examiner Training Officer sends written
confirmation of any decision to the organiser. The response will
aim to summarise the basis of the appeal and clarify any misunderstandings
Other
possible outcomes include:
• rejection of the grounds of appeal with clearly stated
reasons
• an offer of re-assessment.
In
the event of any further action being required the detail will
be sent to the Academic Board, whose decision will be final.
Full details of complaints and appeals procedures are available
from ESB Head Office.
FURTHER
INFORMATION
For
further information regarding any aspect of English Speaking Board
assessments, or to arrange a visit from an Information Officer,
Contact Us at our head Office. |
