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Introducing new Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) French, German and Spanish qualifications
Available for first teaching in September 2017
We have recently launched a new suite of Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) qualifications, available
This video has been designed provide you with information about the key features of the
new French, German and Spanish specifications.
Before we go into detail about the new French, German and Spanish specifications, we wanted
to give you a quick overview of some of the key changes to the whole suite of Edexcel
The first feature to highlight is that we have introduced a new 9-1 grading scale: With
9 as the top grade, to ensure we're really differentiating top performing students and
also providing greater differentiation in the middle of the range, with 3 grades; 4,
5 and 6, equivalent to the old grades B and C.
The second feature is that the qualifications are now more relevant for international students:
With an increased amount of international content, including the addition of more international
content topics and the use of local contexts where possible.
The third key feature to highlight is that have also made sure they continue to support
progression to further study and are fully comparable with new UK GCSEs: Developed with
the help of teachers and higher education representatives, they provide seamless progression
to further study, including A levels and beyond. They are also fully comparable with the new
UK GCSEs in terms of the content, level of demand and assessment standards.
Now Alistair Drewery, Pearson Edexcel Subject Advisor for Modern Foreign Languages, will
talk in more detail about the updates to the new French, German and Spanish specifications.
This is to support teachers to feel really confident delivering the new Edexcel International
GCSE (9-1) French, German and Spanish specifications, from September 2017 onwards.
So you might be asking yourself, why choose Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) French, German
and Spanish qualifications?
One of the key things to highlight is that we've listened to feedback from all parts
of the international school community; including a large number of teachers. As a result, we've
made changes that will engage students and give them the skills to support progression
to further study of French, German and Spanish.
We've ensured that all new French, German and Spanish question papers are accessible
for students of all ability ranges and learning styles. Our mark schemes for all specifications
are also straightforward, so that the assessment requirements are clear at the outset.
They are also an equivalent standard to Pearson's regulated Edexcel GCSE French, German and
Spanish qualifications. This ensures that Edexcel International GCSEs (9-1) French,
German and Spanish qualifications are recognised globally and provide learners with the same
progression routes to A level and University.
Our French, German and Spanish qualifications are specifically intended for students whose
first language is not the Modern Foreign Language they have chosen to study.
The content and assessment approach for these qualifications has been designed to meet students'
needs in the following ways.
Engaging and accessible topics: The topics (and related texts) used in the reading and
writing paper are engaging and suitable for all students. They are also based on contexts
that students are likely to encounter and are diverse in their content. Culturally sensitive
and authentic reading and listening texts are used throughout.
The topics are engaging because they are based on contexts that students are likely to encounter,
and they are also suitable because we've used culturally sensitive and authentic texts.
Student selected picture: Students will select their own picture as part of the speaking
examination. This empowers the students to confidently prepare for a topic of their choice,
and personalise one element of their examination.
Broad and deep development of skills: We aim to extend students' knowledge by broadening
and deepening skills. For example, students will develop the ability to:
Listen to a complex argument or discussion, understand the overall message and identify
attitudes and opinions.
Development of spoken language skills: Students are also able to develop their understanding
of the spoken word through separate speaking and listening components.
Both paper 1 and 3 are worth 25% of the total marks. Paper 1 is worth 50% of the total marks.
We wanted to take this opportunity to talk through the assessment opportunities for the
Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) French, German and Spanish specifications - as shown in the
table on screen.
The very final assessment for the current Edexcel International GCSE French, German
and Spanish specifications is in May / June 2018. For all the new 9-1 French, German and
Spanish specifications, first assessment is in May / June 2019.
Teachers often ask me the following questions about the new Edexcel International GCSE (9-1)
French, German and Spanish specifications.
1. Do the new qualifications have translation exercises to and from English?
I can reassure you that the new International GCSE qualifications in French, German and
Spanish don't feature any translations either to or from English. We see that this is appropriate
for international learners as most students do not have English as their first language.
Curriculum matched, endorsed resources for the new Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) specifications
will be available by publishers Hodder. To find out more, visit Hodder's website.
We also wanted to take this opportunity to highlight that the new French, German and
Spanish specifications are supported by a wider range of teaching and learning materials,
resources and training.
Support includes schemes of work, exemplar materials, ExamWizard, comprehensive textbooks,
interactive resources and Getting Ready to Teach, Teacher Training.
It also features detailed exam analysis with ResultsPlus: a service unique to Pearson that
provides free online in-depth mock and actual exam performance analysis, supporting teachers
to plan improvements in teaching and learning, driving attainment.
To find out more, please visit qualifications.pearson.com/edexcel-internationalgcse and download our Modern Foreign Languages
subject guide.