Dance & Performing Arts

English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Vocational

Specification: 100/2545/5

The ENGLISH-SPEAKING-BOARD-INTERNATIONAL-LTD Vocational Dance & Performing Arts specification covers 12 topics with 29 learning objectives (100/2545/5). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.

This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

Units

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

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Key Features

Master key concepts
Develop exam technique
Apply knowledge effectively

Common Exam Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

•Neglecting breath support, leading to vocal strain or loss of power and clarity, particularly during emotionally intense passages.
•Prioritising dramatic effect over textual accuracy, resulting in muddled pronunciation or misinterpretation of key words and phrases.
•Failing to maintain a consistent character voice or physicality, causing a disjointed performance that confuses the audience.
•Overgeneralising emotional expression without exploring the specific nuances of the text, flattening the complexity of meaning.
•Failing to warm up the voice, leading to strained or monotonous delivery.
•Breaking eye contact with the audience to glance at notes, disrupting the illusion of the role.
•Over-reliance on a single vocal pattern, resulting in a flat performance that does not reflect the content's variety.
•Misjudging the pace, rushing through significant passages or dragging in less important sections.

Top Examiner Tips

Expert advice for exam success

•Record and critique your rehearsals to identify vocal habits (e.g., monotony, rushing) and refine subtle variations in tone and timing.
•Thoroughly annotate your script with vocal cues, emotional shifts, and character intentions to build a layered and secure interpretation.
•Prioritise physical and vocal warm-ups that target breath capacity and articulation, ensuring stamina and clarity for the full performance.
•Approach the performance as a live conversation with your audience: use eye contact and reactive energy to make the material feel fresh and personal.
•Select a piece that offers clear opportunities for vocal contrast and character development to showcase your range.
•Record your rehearsals and critically evaluate your use of vocal resources to identify areas for improvement.
•During the performance, focus on connecting with the audience through direct address and sustained eye contact to enhance engagement.
•In the moments before you begin, take a breath and mentally step into the role, committing fully to the character from the first word.

Qualification Units

12 units

How this qualification is graded

Vocational qualifications are marked against criteria, not an exam percentage. Each unit is assessed across three bands - build up from Pass by applying your knowledge to realistic workplace scenarios.

Pass

Accurately describe and explain the core knowledge for the unit and link it to the given scenario.

Merit

Apply and analyse that knowledge in detail, showing why it matters in the workplace context.

Distinction

Evaluate and justify decisions, weigh up alternatives and make well-reasoned professional recommendations.

Speech Performance Grade 6

This subtopic centres on the advanced application of vocal techniques to deliver a compelling speech performance that demonstrates personal interpretation and authoritative engagement. Learners must integrate breath control, resonance, articulation, pace, and tone to convey nuanced meaning, while fully inhabiting a character or persona and connecting authentically with the audience.

ESB Level 3 Certificate in Speech (Grade 6)

1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Speech Performance Grade 3

This unit focuses on developing the performer's ability to use their voice effectively to bring a text to life, engaging an audience through clear articulation, expressive modulation, and believable characterisation. Students learn to interpret the quality, form, and content of a chosen piece, responding sensitively to its nuances while adopting and sustaining a role from introduction to conclusion.

ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 3)

1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Speech Performance (Drama-Focused) Grade 5

This unit assesses candidates' ability to integrate advanced speech and drama skills, requiring a persuasive talk on a contemporary issue with analytical depth, a polished performance of literature with critical evaluation, and a convincing character portrayal. It emphasises vocal modulation, physical expression, and the capacity to engage an audience through both prepared and improvised material, culminating in active group interaction that demonstrates listening and facilitative communication. Success hinges on the candidate's versatility in shifting between presenter, performer, and collaborator, all while maintaining authenticity and technical precision.

ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 5)

1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Speech for Employability

This subtopic develops practical speech and communication competencies essential for employability contexts. Learners deliver a structured talk or pitch on a career-related issue, utilizing audio/visual aids to enhance persuasion and clarity. Through simulated interviews, workplace telephone calls, and formal discussions, candidates demonstrate adaptability in professional spoken interactions, honing skills directly transferable to job seeking and workplace communication.

ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 4) , ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2)

5 learning outcomes17 guidance points2 criteria

Speech Performance Grade 8

This subtopic assesses the candidate's ability to deliver a polished and insightful speech performance, integrating advanced vocal techniques with a deep interpretative engagement with the text. Performers must demonstrate a mature command of vocal modulation, physical presence, and characterisation to convey nuanced meaning and sustain a compelling role throughout their chosen piece.

ESB Level 3 Certificate in Speech (Grade 8)

1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Speech Performance Grade 1

In the ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 1) Speech Performance element, learners demonstrate fundamental vocal techniques such as articulation, projection, pace, and pitch to deliver a prepared text. The focus is on interpreting the content, mood, and structure of the material to communicate meaning effectively to an audience. This practical application develops personal confidence and foundational performance skills essential for further study in the performing arts.

ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 1)

1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

Speech to Connect

This element develops the candidate's ability to engage and connect with an audience through prepared and impromptu spoken communication. It integrates research-based presentation skills, memorised performance of literary material, expressive reading with character analysis, and collaborative discussion. Mastery of these components demonstrates effective vocal and physical delivery, audience awareness, and critical thinking—essential for both academic and real-world contexts.

ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 4)

1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Speech Performance (Presentation-focused) Grade 5

This element equips learners to research and deliver a balanced, timed talk on a contemporary issue, integrating audio/visual aids and analytical commentary. It also involves performing a piece of published creative English from memory, critically evaluating both their own selection and a substantive speech. Additionally, learners develop group discussion skills by actively listening, contributing constructively, and fostering collaborative exchange of ideas.

ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 5)

1 learning outcomes11 guidance points

Speech to Connect

This element assesses the candidate's ability to communicate effectively through a personal talk supported by visual/audio aids, the memorised performance of a creative literary piece, the expressive reading of a prepared book extract, and active participation in a two-way discussion. It develops key oracy skills including structuring information, vocal expression, and interpersonal responsiveness.

ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2)

4 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Speech to Inform

This element develops the candidate's ability to deliver structured spoken presentations for varied purposes: to inform, review, persuade, and discuss. It integrates research, critical thinking, and communication skills, requiring the effective use of supporting materials and engagement with contemporary issues. Mastery is demonstrated through clear organisation, audience awareness, and confident delivery in both prepared and spontaneous contexts.

ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 4) , ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2)

7 learning outcomes19 guidance points2 criteria

Speech to Perform

The 'Speech to Perform' element develops candidates' ability to communicate and perform through speech, integrating research, memorisation, composition and interactive discussion. It assesses the synthesis of vocal skills, presentation technology, and critical engagement with performative material. This component is central to demonstrating performance readiness at Grade 4 level.

ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 4)

1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

Speech to Perform

This element develops the candidate's ability to use spoken language effectively for performance and communication. Learners will prepare and deliver a structured talk on a performing arts subject, incorporating supportive media, recite a piece of published literature from memory, and create an original spoken performance. The unit also fosters active listening and interactive dialogue, essential skills for collaborative and audience-engaged work in the performing arts.

ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2)

5 learning outcomes10 guidance points

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