May 2025 Languages Update
Welcome to the May 2025 Languages update.
This update contains essential links and reminders related to speaking exams, links to free resources and upcoming training.
Quick links for the May Languages Update
- GCSE French, German and Spanish (2024) Grade Boundary Advice
- GCSE French, German and Spanish (2024) Exemplars
- Updates to the DfE Subject Content for the Pearson Edexcel GCSE 2024 MFL specifications
- Additional Assessment Materials for International GCSE English as a Second Language (2023)
- New Free Resources
We have produced this guide to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about grade boundaries for the new specifications. The questions address how grade boundaries are set and issues surrounding the assessment of students prior to the first examination in 2026.
We have recently published exemplars on our website for foundation paper 4 (writing), question 1 and the picture task in paper 1 (speaking). They are available in all three languages.
You can find a wide range of exemplars for these qualifictions in the Teaching and Learning materials section of each qualification page.
The Department for Education (DfE) has published an updated version of the Subject Content on their website (24 February 2025). These changes, which apply to exam boards offering the GCSE 2024 French, German, and Spanish specifications, aim to provide additional clarity around the requirements.
A summary of the changes is also available for you to review.
Rest assured, these changes are minor and will not significantly impact teaching and learning. We’ll provide more details in the summer term, including any changes to our vocabulary lists. For now, please continue to deliver the new GCSE specifications as previously outlined.
We have now shared an additional set of assessment materials for this specification, our Specimen Papers.
These papers can be found in the Teaching and Learning Materials section of Course Materials on the International GCSE English as a Second Language page.
We have recently added some more free resources to our website. The A-Z of Careers with Languages and two resources celebrating Spanish and Chinese.
In case you missed it, we also have a video which shows you all of the free resources we have available.
Subject advisor
Rebecca Waker
Languages
