January 2026 Languages Update
Welcome to the January 2026 Languages update.
Quick links
In this update you will find:
- Languages qualifications support contacts
- Digital Sequencing Tool (Demo version) (GCSE French, German and Spanish 2024)
- Associate Vacancies
- International GCSE English as a Second Language
- International GCSE First Lanugage Arabic
- Upcoming training
- My Lens on Languages (GCSE 2024)
- Languages teachers Facebook group
If you’re new to Pearson Edexcel Languages qualifications, hi! I’m Rebecca Waker, your Subject Advisor for Languages. My job is to support you in delivering our qualifications — whether that’s GCSE, A Level, International GCSE or International A Level
I create these monthly updates, run our Facebook group, and share resources to make your life easier. Before this role, I taught Spanish and French for nearly 10 years, so I know the joys (and the challenges!) of languages teaching. I use that experience every day to help improve yours.
Here’s how to reach out:
• 📧 Email me at teachinglanguages@pearson.com
• 📅 Book a 1:1 Teams meeting — perfect for personalised support
• 📞 Call our Teaching Services team on +44 (0)344 463 2535
• 💡 Visit our Support Portal for quick answers
🎯 Digital Sequencing Tool (Demo) for GCSE French, German and Spanish (2024)
Take a few minutes now to explore our Digital Sequencing Tool (demo version). It’s the simplest way to get familiar before the live series and confirm your access - so everything is ready when it matters most.
For a walkthrough guide to the tool you can watch our video and more details and user guides can be found within our news update.
You can also sign up to attend our monthly drop-in sessions to ask your questions about using this tool.
Examiner Vacancies – Be Part of the Team That Shapes Language Learning
We’re currently recruiting for some exciting roles in our Languages examiner team, and we’d love you to consider joining us.
Join us on 21 January at 4pm to learn more about why you should become an Assessment Associate for our new GCSEs in French, German and Spanish and how to apply. You'll have the opportunity to submit questions in advance.
View the GCSE (2024) vacancies
These roles are a chance to:
✔️ Make a real impact – Your insights help shape assessments that reflect what learners know and can do.
✔️ Grow professionally – You’ll deepen your understanding of assessment and gain valuable experience.
✔️ Join a supportive network – Work alongside experienced colleagues who care about language education as much as you do.
✔️ Fit it around your teaching – Many of our examiners teach full-time and find the role complements their classroom work brilliantly.
Whether you’re ready to step into a senior role or want to build your experience as an examiner, we’d love to hear from you.
International GCSE English as a Second Language is now available on ExamWizard.
ExamWizard is your go-to, free exam preparation tool. It’s packed with past Pearson Edexcel exam questions, mark schemes and examiners’ reports across a range of qualifications.
That means you can now search, build and customise assessment materials for this qualification – all in one place.
We’re excited to share exemplars for International GCSE First Language Arabic Paper 1 and Paper 2.
These resources give you clear examples of student responses and examiner commentary, helping you understand what success looks like.
Upcoming training
If you’re in need of support with our Languages qualifications, as well as getting in touch with me and joining our Facebook group we have a wide range of training on offer via our Pearson Professional Development Academy.
Whether you're new Pearson Edexcel or looking to deepen your practice, these online courses are designed to support your teaching.
We also have monthly drop-in sessions for GCSE (2024) where you can have your questions answered live by our qualification experts.
Coming up in January & February:
- A Level Modern Languages : New to Pearson Edexcel
- GCSE Modern Languages (2024): Effective Phonics Teaching for the Read Aloud and Dictation Tasks
- GCSE Modern Languages (2017 and 2018 specifications): Conducting the Speaking Exam (not applicable to French, German or Spanish)
- International GCSE Arabic, Marking with Accuracy and Insight
- International A Level Modern Foreign Languages, Approaches to Speaking and Listening
- International A Level Arabic, Marking with Accuracy and Insight
🎥 Recorded Training – Available Anytime on YouTube
If you’ve missed a live session or want to revisit key topics, our Pearson Edexcel Languages YouTube playlists are packed with free, high-quality recorded training. These include full-length webinars and CPD sessions covering the 2024 GCSE French, German and Spanish specifications, as well as International GCSE and A Level MFL.
International GCSE and A Level
International GCSE English as a Second Language
GCSE French, German and Spanish (2024)
We know that the best ideas often come from the classroom next door. That’s why we’re launching my-lens-on.languages—a video series by teachers, for teachers. It’s all about sharing what works: your go-to strategies, your proudest moments, and the little tweaks that make a big difference. We’d love you to be part of it. Just record a short video (think under 2 minutes!) showing your approach to any aspect of language teaching, and send it our way.
When you’re ready to share, fill in this form . If you’d like a bit more detail before diving in, I’ve got an information sheet ready to support you—just drop me a message on the usual email address below and I’ll send it over.
👋 New to Pearson Edexcel? Join Our Languages Teachers Facebook Group
If you’ve just started teaching our qualifications, there’s a brilliant space waiting for you.
Our Languages Facebook group is a friendly, professional community where teachers share ideas, swap tips, and support each other — all year round.
Here’s how to join: Just answer the automatic joining questions when you request access. It helps us keep the group a safe and focused space for teachers like you.
We’d love to welcome you in.
Subject advisor
Rebecca Waker
Languages
