Languages
July 2026 Languages Update
Welcome to the July 2026 Languages update
Welcome to the July update — the final languages update of this academic year. I hope the end of term is going as smoothly as possible and that you’re able to take a well-earned pause after a busy exam series.
In this update, you’ll find a range of links and reminders to help you prepare for September, including speaking window dates, exam materials release information, post-results services, training opportunities and useful resources for planning ahead. I’ll be in touch again just before the results days with further guidance and reminders to support you through the summer results period.
Rebecca Waker
Subject Advisor - Languages
Quick links
2027 Speaking window dates – plan ahead with confidence
The 2027 speaking window dates are now available for all our languages qualifications — and now is the time to start thinking about what they mean for your centre.
We know these assessments sit right in the middle of busy school calendars, so it’s important to look carefully at how the window aligns with your own term dates. This will help you plan things like rooming, staffing and protecting curriculum time early.
Just as importantly, take time now to think through how you’ll manage student choices and preparation.
• When will you gather students’ speaking preferences?
• How will this fit around teaching plans and internal deadlines?
• What time will you need to build in for organisation and delivery?
A little forward planning now can take the pressure off later — helping everything run more smoothly for both you and your students.
We recommend sharing the dates with your exams and languages teams so you can start mapping out your approach together.
Exam feedback surveys
If your students took exams in the May/June 2026 series, we’d really value your feedback. Your views help us understand what worked well this series and where we can improve. We’ll share feedback with senior examiners and subject teams to help shape future assessments and the support we provide. If you can spare a few minutes, please complete the relevant survey. Thank you.
Qualification |
Question papers |
Mark schemes |
Examiner reports |
MFL speaking materials |
MFL listening recordings |
GCSE and International GCSE |
23 June 2026 |
21 July 2026 |
From 25 August 2026 |
21 July 2026 |
21 July 2026 |
AS and A level |
30 June 2026 |
14 July 2026 |
From 18 August 2026 |
21 July 2026 |
21 July 2026 |
International A level |
30 June 2026 |
14 July 2026 |
From 18 August 2026 |
21 July 2026 |
21 July 2026 |
Once released, materials can be accessed from the past papers section of our website. The most recent materials are held securely for registered centres for 12 months after release, so teachers can use them as mock exams while maintaining exam conditions. After 12 months, they can be accessed freely for student study and revision.
Post-results services
The post-results services page explains the post-results services available if you have a concern about a student’s results, including Reviews of Marking and Moderation, Access to Scripts and appeals. You’ll also find guidance on key dates, fees, qualification-specific information and how to submit requests through Pearson systems. It should be used alongside the relevant JCQ post-results services guidance.
We will be running an online training event on ResultsPlus and Access To Scripts for GCSE French, German and Spanish in early September. This training will show you how to use ResultsPlus to analyse your students’ results data.
If you would like to attend, you can find the event on our PD Academy.
We will be running an Exam Insights event for each of GCSE French, German and Spanish in the autumn term. These events will provide feedback and insights on the summer 2026 series, identifying key observations around student performance in the examiner reports and exploring these in detail using exemplars.
You can sign up to these events via the PD Academy:
Summer Network event upcoming in Cumbria (07 July 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm)
Our colleagues in the Cumbria area are welcome to join us at our Summer 2026 network event, a face-to-face opportunity for teachers to come together and connect with colleagues, and Pearson staff to share feedback and ideas.
If you would like to attend, please use the registration link below.
Refreshments will be available on the day.
Interested in hosting a network event in your area? Please contact us at teachinglanguages@pearson.com.
Bilingual dictionaries
If you teach Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs, this guidance explains when bilingual dictionaries can be used as an access arrangement for eligible candidates. It sets out the key rules centres need to follow, including the types of dictionaries that are permitted and the circumstances where extra time may apply, helping you support candidates fairly while maintaining the integrity of the assessment.
GCSE (2024) Mapping
We’ve produced a new mapping document to help teachers compare the Pearson Edexcel GCSE French, German and Spanish 2024 specifications with the AQA equivalents. It brings the key assessment features side by side, making it easier to see where the specifications are similar, where they differ, and what this could mean in the classroom.
This resource is particularly useful for centres thinking about switching to Pearson Edexcel, centres already making the move, or teachers joining a school that follows a different GCSE MFL specification. It’s designed to support conversations, planning and decision-making with clear, practical information in one place.
Ofqual podcast
Ofqual has launched a podcast for teachers and school leaders.
'Can I Just Qualify That?' will be built around conversations that matter and advice you can use. The first few episodes will cover everything from qualification reform and how GCSE and A level grading works, to helpful tips for exam season, results days, and cyber security.
Episode one dropped on Thursday 4 June on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
Subscribe to Ofqual's YouTube channel now so you don't miss it
How to get in touch
If you’re unsure about guidance, processes or where to find the right information, please do get in touch. We’re here to help, especially at this busy point in the year. All the details are at the bottom of this page.
You can also book a 15 minute 1 to 1 Teams meeting with me for administrative questions or general guidance – for example, clarifying requirements, timelines, processes or where to find support. These short sessions are designed to be focused and practical. Please note that I’m not able to look at or mark student work, but I’m very happy to help you navigate guidance and next steps.
Subject advisor
Rebecca Waker
Languages
Subject updates
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2027 speaking windows confirmed
The prescribed speaking window dates for centres to conduct their Modern Foreign Language oral assessments have now been confirmed for the May/June 2027 series.