Languages
Amendments to Paper 4 Writing for GCSE Modern Languages
Ofqual have now approved the retention of Paper 4 'optionality' amendments for all Pearson Edexcel GCSE Modern Foreign Language qualifications.
Retention of GCSE Paper 4 Writing amendments
Following the highly positive feedback we received about the 2022 summer exam series, we would like to let you know that Ofqual have approved our request to retain the ‘optionality’ amendments made to the Modern Foreign Languages GCSE Paper 4, Writing.
In Summer 2023, and beyond, Paper 4 Writing will now include:
- A choice of two options for Question 2 on the Foundation Tier.
- An additional 5 minutes of assessment time on the Foundation Tier paper (originally 1 hour 10 minutes, now 1 hour 15 minutes for French, German and Spanish).
- Topic titles appearing in English on both Foundation and Higher Tier Writing papers.
This amendment will ensure that our Modern Language assessments remain as accessible as possible for students entering exams in 2023 and beyond, and is in addition to the amendments we previously announced in 2020 for French, German and Spanish qualifications.
Updated specifications and Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) are now available on the subject pages for French, German and Spanish, and can be accessed using the links below.
Updated materials for other GCSE languages (Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Gujarati, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Urdu) will be published on the relevant qualification pages, under 'course materials', as soon as possible.
The amended papers will also be in line with the format of the Writing papers from the May/June 2022 series.
Subject advisor
Rebecca Waker
Languages
Subject updates
-
April 2024 Languages Update
Dear Colleagues,
I hope you have had a restful break and are ready for the summer term. As languages teachers you will likely be conducting speaking exams early on this term so I have made sure to include all the speaking exam support you may need at the very start of this update.
Please remember you can get in contact with all of your questions about Pearson Edexcel Languages qualifications. My contact details are at the bottom of this page.
Best wishes,
Rebecca Waker
Subject Advisor for Languages
-
Speaking Windows for International Languages Qualifications - November 2024 and January 2025
As well as the summer series some of our International GCSE and A Level qualifications are available in November and January. Please see the speaking window dates below.