Languages
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
![080223-uks-gcse-mfl-2023-web-1140x640-06 Surprised looking girl](/content/dam/demo/stuntcontent/images/ModernLanguages/080223-uks-gcse-mfl-2023-web-1140x640-06.png)
Our new 2024 Pearson Edexcel French, German and Spanish GCSEs have generated lots of positive conversations with teachers, and we have been listening to your thoughts about the scheduling of the listening and reading papers – how it works (or doesn’t work) currently, and what you would prefer for the live exams in 2026.
From your feedback, we know that the current model for the listening and reading exams can intimidate and worry students, making them feel anxious and unconfident. The new GCSE is an opportunity for us to challenge the status quo and do something different that will improve the student experience.
In our new qualifications, the three listens, moderate speaking pace, appropriate pause lengths, chunked texts and gap fill in dictation will all be working to make our listening paper much more accessible for your students. All these great features have required a slight increase in the exam duration for listening compared to the current exams, an additional 10 minutes at Foundation and 15 minutes at Higher. Therefore, it was important that we reviewed the current practice of scheduling the listening and reading exams in the same exam session to make the right decision for you and your students.
We’ve listened to our teachers and students in informal conversations at events, as well as through online surveys, and it is clear that the overwhelming majority would prefer
the scheduling of the reading and listening exams to take place in separate exam sessions.
To hold true our vision for compassionate assessments, we need to ensure the best and most successful exam experience for students, with their wellbeing at the heart of our decision.
For the full details of our findings read:
Subject advisor
Rebecca Waker
Languages
![Languages Subject Advisor](/content/dam/demo/Course advisors/rebecca-waker-1140x640.png)
Subject updates
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July 2024 Languages Update
Dear colleagues,
Welcome to my last full update of the 2023-2024 academic year. In this update I have news to share regarding free resources, our popular Revise resources and an update on the GCE Chinese and Japanese ammendment.
I have also included all the key dates and information you will need in preparation for exam results. I hope you enjoy a relaxing summer break and I will be in touch prior to the results days in August with key reminders.
As ever, you can contact me via the details at the bottom of this page and I’ll be happy to support with your questions related to our qualifications.
Best wishes,
RebeccaSubject Advisor for Languages
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Getting Ready for Results 2024
Dear colleagues,
Please see below all the details you should need related to exam results and post-results services.
As ever, you can contact me via the details at the bottom of this page and I’ll be happy to support with your questions related to our qualifications.
Best wishes,
RebeccaSubject Advisor for Languages