International GCSEs English as a Second Language (ESL) (2023)

Teaching from: 2023

External assessment from: 2025

The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) English as a Second Language qualification (2023) has been re-developed with teachers, higher education representatives and subject expert groups. It builds a foundation for learners wishing to progress to further study, work, and travel in English speaking environments with a focus on cultural sensitivity/diversity across the assessment and resource materials.    

Assessment is designed to measure achievement against many of the benchmarks of Levels A2 – B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Topics, contexts, and settings relate to the interests of learners using English as a second language for the purposes of communication in study, work, leisure, and issues of global/cultural relevance.