English Speaking Board International Ltd (ESB International) is keeping English language learners on the road to success in Greece

Almost 2,000 Greek ESOL International learners have carried on with their assessments this spring, thanks to ESB International’s innovative online offer.

Most awarding organisations operating in Greece have taken the decision to postpone or allow only online assessments in centres until face-to-face sessions are able to resume in the summer. However, Europ also, one of ESB International’s exclusively licensed centres in Greece, backed by ESB International’s online capabilities, is one of only two awarding organisations allowing learners to take their assessments at home – or any other place of their choice.

ESB’s intuitive and easy-to- use online assessment option uses Cirrus Assessment©. This offers numerous benefits, such as heightened security using fully automated proctoring/invigilation through sophisticated artificial intelligence software Proctorio©, with reduced carbon footprint and improved efficiency.

“We have a wealth of experience in promoting the English language in many countries, certificating over 40,000 ESOL International learners in 2019/20, and we deeply care about each and every one of our centres and learners,” says ESB’s chief executive, Tina Renshaw.

“Our investment in online technologies is allowing ESB International to continue to support its centres and learners. We are delighted that our learners in Greece and overseas are able to continue completing ESB assessments through our online assessment option, enabling them to develop key English language skills.

“ESB assessments allow learners to be assessed in five core language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing and the use of English – we call this All Modes – as we assess all of the skills to create an overall

“We have a wealth of experience in promoting the English language”

outcome. By giving our learners the ability to develop these key communicative skills, they will be well equipped with essential life skills and the confidence needed to communicate worldwide.”

Working tirelessly to promote ESB language qualifications at conferences and events across Greece, Europe also president, George Zikopolous, says: “Every year, over 17,000 students in language schools across Greece sit ESB ESOL International assessments. Our learners are usually assessed in two examination sittings, in summer and winter, with some of our largest centres in Athens, Thessaloniki and Larissa. To be able to offer our learners the opportunity to take their assessments at home or any other place of their choice, under the present circumstances, is a fantastic achievement.”

ESB operates a successful and wide-ranging portfolio of communicative and accessible ESOL International qualifications from A1 to C2 level, mapped to the Common European Framework, enabling learners to achieve a qualification at each stage of their learning journey.

ESB’s B1 to C2 level qualifications are recognised and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL) and the ESB Level 3 certificate in ESOL International C2 qualification also comes with the added attraction of gaining up to 36 UCAS points, a valuable incentive for learners wanting to access higher education in the UK.

Empowering its learners with the opportunity to gain access to further and higher education, and enhance their employability, is one of ESB’s main goals. To find out more about our online ESOL International assessments, please contact a member of ESB’s product development team at product@esbuk.org or telephone (+44) 01695 573439 extension 218. Alternatively, if you would like to find out more about the ESOL International qualifications we offer, please click here.

Tina Renshaw is chief executive of ESB International, which offers high- quality speech and language qualifications in the UK and internationally.