How long does my talk need to be for ESB Grade 2 Speech?

Your talk should last approximately 2-3 minutes. The examiner will time you, so practice to ensure you stay within this range. It's better to be slightly under than over, as you need to leave time for the conversation section.

Can I use notes during my ESB speech exam?

You may use brief notes or cue cards, but try not to rely on them heavily. The examiner wants to see that you have prepared and can speak naturally. For the poem or passage, you must recite it from memory without notes.

What kind of poem should I choose for Grade 2?

Choose a poem that you enjoy and that has a clear rhythm or emotion. It should be around 8-16 lines long. Avoid very long or complex poems; the key is to deliver it with expression and understanding.

Do I need to dress formally for the ESB exam?

There is no strict dress code, but wearing smart, comfortable clothing can help you feel more confident and professional. Avoid anything too casual like hoodies or ripped jeans. Think 'smart casual'.

What happens in the conversation part of the exam?

After your talk and poem, the examiner will ask you a few questions about your talk topic, your poem, or your interests. This is a relaxed chat to see how well you can express your ideas spontaneously. Answer in full sentences and don't be afraid to share your opinions.

How is the ESB Grade 2 Speech exam marked?

You are assessed on four main areas: clarity and projection, expression and pace, structure and content, and audience engagement. Each area is given a mark out of 10, with a total of 40 marks. You need at least 20 marks to pass, 28 for merit, and 34 for distinction.

Speech for Employability

ENGLISH SPEAKING BOARD (INTERNATIONAL) LTD

vocational

This subtopic equips candidates with practical oral communication skills essential for employability, focusing on delivering structured presentations, participating in professional interviews, crafting persuasive pitches, and engaging in interactive discussions. It develops confidence in using supporting media and adapting speech to purposeful contexts, preparing learners for real-world workplace interactions.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria

ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2)

ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 4)

Topic Overview

The ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 2) is a foundational qualification in the Dance & Performing Arts suite offered by the English Speaking Board. It focuses on developing clear, confident, and expressive spoken communication. Students prepare and deliver a short talk or presentation, recite a poem or passage from memory, and engage in a conversation with the examiner about their chosen topics. This award builds essential skills for public speaking, performance, and everyday communication.

Why does this matter? In today's world, the ability to speak clearly and confidently is invaluable. Whether you're presenting in class, performing on stage, or simply expressing your ideas, this qualification gives you the tools to communicate effectively. It also lays the groundwork for further ESB awards and other performance-based qualifications, helping you grow as a speaker and performer.

Within the wider subject of Performing Arts, this award complements practical performance skills by emphasising the spoken word. It encourages students to think about voice projection, pace, tone, and audience engagement—skills that are directly transferable to acting, singing, and dance. By mastering speech at this level, you become a more versatile and confident performer.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Voice projection: Using your breath and diaphragm to ensure your voice carries to the back of the room without shouting.
→Pace and pause: Varying the speed of your speech and using pauses for effect, especially when reciting poetry or delivering key points.
→Eye contact and gesture: Engaging your audience by looking at them and using natural hand movements to reinforce your message.
→Structure of a talk: Having a clear beginning, middle, and end, with a strong opening and a memorable conclusion.
→Memorisation techniques: Using repetition, visualisation, and chunking to learn your poem or passage by heart.

Learning Objectives

What you need to know and understand

Deliver a structured talk about a chosen businessperson or career, incorporating relevant audio and/or visual support to enhance audience engagement.
Participate effectively in a one-to-one interview, demonstrating appropriate questioning, responding, and non-verbal communication.
Prepare and confidently present a persuasive pitch for a product, service, or idea, using rhetorical techniques to influence.
Engage in a discussion by listening actively, responding thoughtfully, and exchanging views to build constructive dialogue.
(1) Deliver a 4-minute talk or pitch about an employability-related issue using audio and/or visual support. (2) Take part in a 1:1 interview with the assessor. (3) Make a ‘telephone call’ in relation to a work-based scenario. (4) Participate in a formal discussion.

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for clear and logical structure in the talk, with a distinct introduction, development of key points, and conclusion.
Assess the creative and integrated use of audio/visual aids that reinforce meaning without distracting from the speaker.
Reward professional tone, appropriate vocabulary, and clear articulation consistently across all elements.
Evaluate the candidate’s ability to maintain engagement through eye contact, active listening, and relevant follow-up comments during the interview and discussion.
Credit the pitch for being concise, persuasive, and including a strong call to action that resonates with the audience.
Award credit for delivering a logically sequenced 4-minute talk that clearly addresses an employability issue, with purposeful and well-integrated audio/visual support.
Award credit for demonstrating active listening in the 1:1 interview by providing relevant, concise responses that show understanding of the questions and a professional demeanour.
Award credit for maintaining an appropriate tone, clarity, and polite register during the simulated telephone call, including effective opening, message delivery, and call closure.
Award credit for contributing constructively to the formal discussion by building on others' points, using appropriate turn-taking, and expressing ideas with clarity and conviction.

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡Rehearse your talk with the actual audio/visual equipment to ensure seamless integration and timing.
💡Anticipate potential interview questions about your chosen person or career, and prepare specific anecdotes or facts to include.
💡Structure your pitch around a clear problem and solution, and use persuasive language devices like rhetorical questions or tripling.
💡During the discussion, focus fully on the assessor’s questions, pause to formulate responses, and aim to build upon the conversation rather than just answer.
💡Structure your 4-minute talk with a clear opening, logical points supported by the audio/visual aid, and a strong concluding call to action relevant to the employability topic.
💡In the interview, treat the assessor as a professional contact; practice active listening, pause before answering, and use specific, work-related examples to strengthen responses.
💡For the telephone scenario, note that assessors will evaluate clarity and professional etiquette—speak slightly slower than usual, confirm details, and avoid fillers.
💡During the formal discussion, prepare to both lead and support: initiate a relevant point early, then listen and respond to others' ideas to show collaborative communication.
💡Choose a topic you genuinely care about for your talk. Your enthusiasm will shine through and make your delivery more natural and engaging.
💡Practice in front of a mirror or record yourself. Watch for fidgeting, monotone voice, or lack of eye contact. Small adjustments can make a big difference.
💡For the conversation section, listen carefully to the examiner's questions and answer in full sentences. This shows you can think on your feet and communicate clearly.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Reading from notes or slides excessively, leading to loss of eye contact and monotonous delivery.
Overloading visual aids with text, turning them into scripts rather than supportive prompts.
Giving brief or one-word answers in the interview without elaboration or concrete examples.
Memorising a pitch rigidly, failing to adapt to the assessor’s reactions or questions.
Interrupting or failing to acknowledge the assessor’s points during the discussion, which disrupts conversational flow.
Reading directly from notes or slides instead of engaging the listener, which undermines the natural and persuasive delivery expected in a pitch.
Using overly casual language or slang during the telephone call, forgetting that a workplace scenario requires a professional tone even in simulated contexts.
Dominating the formal discussion by not allowing others to speak, or conversely, remaining silent and not contributing, failing to demonstrate balanced and respectful participation.
Not preparing for common interview questions, leading to vague or rambling answers that lack specific examples or relevance to the candidate's skills.
Mistake: Speaking too quickly because you're nervous. Correction: Practice slowing down; use pauses to breathe and let your words sink in. The examiner wants to hear every word clearly.
Mistake: Reciting a poem without expression. Correction: A poem is not just words—it's emotion. Think about the meaning and use your voice to convey feelings like joy, sadness, or excitement.
Mistake: Ignoring the audience during your talk. Correction: You must make eye contact with the examiner (and any other listeners) to create a connection. Don't just stare at your notes or the floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•ESB Level 1 Award in Speech (Grade 1) or equivalent experience in public speaking or performance.
•Basic understanding of how to structure a short presentation (introduction, main points, conclusion).
•Familiarity with a poem or short passage suitable for recitation (e.g., from a school anthology).

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Professional oral communication
Interview techniques
Persuasive pitching
Active listening and response
Audio-visual aid usage
(1) Deliver a 4-minute talk or pitch about an employability-related issue using audio and/or visual support. (2) Take part in a 1:1 interview with the assessor. (3) Make a ‘telephone call’ in relation to a work-based scenario. (4) Participate in a formal discussion.

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Speech for Employability

Assessment criteria

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

Learning Objectives

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Guidance

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

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