Edexcel’s new language GCSEs will continue to recognise the importance of foreign-language speaking skills and these will be assessed as a core component of the new qualifications.

In response to QCA changes to Modern Foreign Language subject criteria, students taking the new GCSEs will have their speaking skills tested through controlled assessments which should facilitate more flexible and less high-stakes testing.

As the new QCA criteria will also require teachers to both conduct and mark the oral assessment, Edexcel will support centres with training and implement sampling and external moderation procedures to ensure that the national standard is understood and maintained.