Languages
Outcomes of the Chinese and Japanese A Level Consultations
This update includes information regarding the outcomes of the Chinese and Japanese A level consultations.
Earlier in the year we wrote to let you know that the Department for Education and Ofqual were consulting on the subject content for Chinese and Japanese AS and A Level. This consultation has concluded and the outcomes are as follows:
- Questions and responses in comprehension (listening and reading) tasks must be in English instead of the target language, unless writing skills are also intentionally being assessed.
- Questions about the literary works and films will be provided in both the target language and English. Students will still be required to respond in the target language to these questions.
Read the updated subject content:
We will be making amendments to our Specifications and Sample assessment materials to reflect this change, which are due for first assessment in June 2026.
Subject advisor
Rebecca Waker
Languages
Subject updates
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May 2024 Languages Update
Dear Colleagues,
I hope your summer term has got off to a smooth start. By now many of you will have conducted your speaking exams and will be looking ahead to the written exams and beyond.
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
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Listening and Reading Exam Scheduling from 2026
We can confirm that the reading and listening exams for GCSE French, German and Spanish will be scheduled in separate exam sessions from Summer 2026