ESOL & Literacy Revision — English Speaking Board (International) Ltd Other Life Skills Qualification
Complete English Speaking Board (International) Ltd Other Life Skills Qualification ESOL & Literacy specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Specification Topics
- Introducing Oral Skills for Interview
- Group speaking
- Graded Examinations in Speech -EAL
- Graded Examinations in Speech - EAL
- Debating
- ESB Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (B2) - Core Content
- ESB Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (C1) - Core Content
- ESB Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (C2) - Core Content
- ESB Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International All Modes (Entry 3) (B1) - Core Content
Top Exam Board Tips
- Practise describing a short work placement aloud using a simple structure: what you did, where, and for how long.
- Role-play the telephone call several times; memorise a polite script to reduce nerves and ensure you cover the key information.
- Prepare for typical interview questions by learning 2–3 sentences about yourself, your strengths, and why you want the job.
- During the listening task, consciously show you are paying attention by facing the speaker, reacting to what they say, and occasionally paraphrasing.
- Practice daily with a focus on breath control and mouth movements to ensure every syllable is crisp.
- Record and review your rehearsal to self-correct any dips in energy or clarity; use a decibel meter app to check projection.
- Prepare for Q&A by annotating your selected pieces with notes on their historical context, emotional layers, and literary devices.
- Practice the 1-minute talk multiple times using a stopwatch; aim for 50-60 seconds of actual speaking to leave room for natural pauses.
- Select a very short, rhythmical poem that is easy to memorise (e.g., a nursery rhyme or a simple haiku) and rehearse it with actions.
- Before the exam, read aloud the chosen passage at least 5 times, focusing on places to pause and emphasise, and record yourself to check clarity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Describing work experience in the present tense rather than past, or listing only one-word answers without full sentences.
- Confusing formal and informal language during the telephone call, such as using slang or forgetting to identify themselves.
- Answering interview questions with vague or off-topic responses, like talking about hobbies instead of relevant skills.
- Passive listening: staring blankly, interrupting, or failing to respond with any verbal or non-verbal cues when the speaker pauses.
- Reliance on monotone delivery without expressive inflection, leading to disengagement.
- Insufficient breath support causing loss of audibility towards the end of long phrases or lines.
- Superficial answers during Q&A that only skim the surface of the meaning or significance of the chosen texts.
- Nervous rushing through the recitation, sacrificing clarity and dramatic effect.
Key Terminology & Definitions
- Be able to tell us about any work experience that has taken place, Be able to make a telephone call about an interview, Be able to answer interview questions appropriately, Be able to show support as a listener
- Introduce and recite a poem (not a self-composition) from memory, Introduce and share a story or piece of prose from memory, Speak clearly and with projection, Be able to answer questions about both of the choices in detail
- 1. Plan and present a talk of one minute’s duration2. Speak in front of a small group and an assessor3. Recite a short poem (not a self-composition) from memory4. Read aloud a chosen passage from a favourite book/article5. Speak clearly enough for the listeners to hear6. Answer questions 7.Listen quietly to the presentation of others8.Ask a simple question
- 1. Plan and present a talk of 2-3 minutes’ duration2. Speak in front of a small group and an assessor3. Recite a short poem (not a self-composition) from memory4. Read aloud a chosen passage from a favourite book/article5. Identify and talk about a favourite character from chosen book6. Speak clearly enough for the listeners to hear7. Answer questions8. Listen quietly to the presentation of others10. Ask a simple question
- 1 Plan and present a talk of 2-3 minutes’ duration2 Speak in front of a small group and an assessor3 Recite a short poem (not a self-composition) from memory4 Read aloud a chosen passage from a favourite book/article5 Speak clearly enough for the listeners to hear6 Introduce the reading, explaining the appeal of the book/article7 Answer questions 8 Listen quietly to the presentation of others9 Ask a simple question
- Team collaboration and role allocation
- Argument construction and logical reasoning
- Persuasive verbal and non-verbal communication
- Active listening and critical engagement
- Rebuttal and point of information handling
- Work as part of a team to explore a motion/counter-motion, Build an argument and structure a speech, Demonstrate evidence of research, Deliver the speech to time, Reply (rebut) and respond (point of information) to arguments from the other team (according to role), Signpost and link work, Use verbal and non-verbal communication, Listen carefully and positively
- Receiving and processing extended speech
- Reading for gist, detail and inference
- Sustained monologue and interaction
- Coherent written production