Language learning is an essential part of a well-rounded education. This page provides information on Pearson’s GCSE qualifications in Modern Foreign Languages, including curriculum support and assessment guidance.
Learn how we help students succeed in language education and broaden their global understanding.
What support programmes help schools deliver GCSE languages?
Pearson supports schools through both qualification materials and practical teaching resources. The 2024 Pearson Edexcel GCSE French, German and Spanish qualifications provide clear, accessible specifications, sample assessment materials, teaching guides, vocabulary and grammar documents, and Subject Advisor support.
For teaching and learning, ActiveHub offers front‑of‑class eBooks, independent practice, assessment libraries, and insights to monitor progression: https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/activehub#languages.
If print resources are preferred, the 2024 Pearson Edexcel French, German and Spanish GCSE resources are designed to help all students connect to and make progress in languages: https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/secondary/subjects/modernlanguages
Pearson Revise supports revision with print and digital tools, including audio, vocabulary quizzes and exam‑style practice:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications.
Where can I find solutions to improve MFL exam results?
Improving outcomes depends on consistent practice, clear feedback, and specification‑aligned resources. Pearson provides:
ActiveHub Assessment Services, which include ready‑made assessments and an Assessment Builder tool designed to match the 2024 GCSE exam specification (https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/activehub#languages).
Pearson Revise Online, offering auto‑marked tasks, scaffolded activities and personalised practice (https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications).
Print resources, the 2024 Pearson Edexcel French, German and Spanish GCSE resources are designed to help all students connect to and make progress in languages https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/secondary/subjects/modernlanguages
Past papers and SAMs, allowing teachers and learners to work with authentic exam materials:
Sample assessment materials French: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/french-2024.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments
Sample assessment materials Spanish: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/spanish-2024.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments
Sample assessment materials German: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/german-2024.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments
Together, these tools build confidence, support retrieval practice and help identify misconceptions early.
What resources best support GCSE French teaching?
For GCSE French, the best starting point is the full Pearson Edexcel GCSE French (2024) specification and teaching materials:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/french-2024.html.
Teachers can then use the 2024 GCSE MFL Resources & Guidance collection, which provides cultural content, topic‑driven lesson resources, and inspirational content:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications/resources.html.
For revision, Pearson Revise French includes student‑friendly explanations and audio files to support listening and speaking:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications
Which programmes help engage students in language learning?
Engagement grows when learners see relevance, feel represented, and experience success. Pearson’s 2024 MFL GCSEs embed cultural authenticity and contemporary themes that reflect learners’ lives:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications.html.
ActiveHub enhances engagement with interactive activities, phonics support, speaking‑confidence worksheets and enhanced audio tools: https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/activehub#languages
Teachers can also use the A–Z Careers with Languages poster to build motivation by connecting language learning with real pathways:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications/resources.html.
What materials should I use for GCSE Spanish preparation?
GCSE Spanish teachers should begin with the official Spanish (2024) specification, SAMs and teaching resources:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/spanish-2024.html.
Teachers can then use the 2024 GCSE MFL Resources & Guidance collection, which provides cultural content, topic‑driven lesson resources, and inspirational content:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications/resources.html
For revision, Pearson Revise Spanish provides topic-based practice with audio:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications
Where can I find support for GCSE German courses?
Support for the German specification is here:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/german-2024.html
Teachers can access 2024‑aligned MFL resources, cultural content and inspirational content through:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications/resources.html.
Revision resources with audio for German are available here:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications
What resources exist for MFL teachers at KS4?
Teachers can find centralised support through the Pearson Modern Languages Hub:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications.html
This includes:
2024 GCSE specifications
cultural and careers resources
teaching guidance
links to ActiveHub and Pearson Revise
ActiveHub, in particular, provides lesson‑ready assets, schemes of work, vocabulary and phonics activities, and assessments: https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/activehub#languages
Pearson Revise materials for classroom use and homework are available at:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications.
Which programmes build language skills for GCSE?
Pearson’s 2024 MFL GCSE qualifications build skill systematically through:
clear vocabulary sequencing
structured grammar progression
embedded phonics
consistent opportunities for speaking and meaningful writing
Teachers can explore the qualifications here:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications.html.
ActiveHub then reinforces these foundations through independent practice and insight dashboards
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/activehub#languages
What resources cover all four language skills?
GCSE MFL requires learners to develop listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. Pearson’s 2024 MFL qualifications integrate all four through topic-driven modules, phonics routines, and role‑play/speaking prompts. These are available here:
How can I motivate students studying GCSE languages?
Motivation improves when learners feel connected to the content and confident in their progress. Effective approaches include:
Culturally rich topics grounded in real‑world communication
Frequent, low‑stakes speaking practice using ActiveHub tools
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/activehub#languages
Structured revision to build confidence, supported by Pearson Revise
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications
Careers‑linked resources such as the A–Z Careers with Languages poster
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications/resources.html
Research shows that self-efficacy, cultural connection, progression visibility and real‑world purpose significantly increase learner motivation.
What are the best exam preparation materials for MFL?
The strongest preparation plan combines:
Sample assessment materials French: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/french-2024.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments
Sample assessment materials Spanish: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/spanish-2024.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments
Sample assessment materials German: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/german-2024.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments
ActiveHub assessments:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/activehub#languages
Pearson Revise practice and workbooks:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications
These allow learners to practise retrieval, build exam familiarity and receive consistent feedback.
Which programmes support speaking skill development?
Pearson provides:
speaking scenarios aligned to the 2024 qualifications:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications/resources.html
ActiveHub speaking‑confidence worksheets and enhanced audio playback:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/activehub#languages
Pearson Revise audio materials:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications
Building oracy confidence relies on high-frequency, low‑stakes speaking practice supported by modelling, phonics routines and peer collaboration.
What digital tools support teaching GCSE MFL?
The main digital tool is:
ActiveHub for 2024 GCSEs:
https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/activehub#languages
Digital platforms help teachers personalise learning, track progress, and offer multilingual audio and scaffolded speaking tasks that boost confidence and independence.
Where can I find support to increase GCSE language uptake?
Pearson’s careers-focused and culturally rich resources help make languages meaningful for learners:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/subject-resources/modern-languages/2024-pearson-edexcel-gcse-mfl-qualifications/resources.html.
Schools can boost uptake by:
highlighting real-world benefits
celebrating cultural diversity
supporting heritage-language learners
building learner confidence through inclusive curricula and accessible assessments
Uptake grows when learners recognise personal relevance, feel capable of succeeding, and see tangible future pathways.
What are the national trends in GCSE MFL entries?
National trends show:
Spanish entries increasing
French and German entries declining
Heritage/community languages rising, such as Arabic, Chinese, Polish and others
These trends reflect shifting learner interests, changing demographics, and growing multilingualism in schools. Flexible pathways for heritage speakers support inclusion and broaden participation.
No. MFL has not been compulsory since 2004. The EBacc includes a language and influences school policy, but uptake depends on individual schools.
The end of compulsory languages led to significant declines in entries. Schools that structure option blocks carefully and communicate the value of languages tend to maintain higher uptake.
What barriers affect MFL uptake, and how can schools address them?
Common barriers include perceived difficulty, reduced speaking confidence, timetable constraints, inconsistent access to high-quality resources and gaps experienced by SEND and disadvantaged learners.
Effective solutions include:
well-sequenced curricula
explicit phonics, vocabulary and grammar teaching
consistent low-stakes speaking opportunities
inclusive materials
protected curriculum time
heritage-language pathways
Research shows that confidence, cultural relevance, and visible progress are the strongest predictors of sustained uptake.
What national support programmes exist?
Schools can access:
NCLE (National Consortium for Languages Education)
Regional Language Hubs
Language Assistants
NCELP-aligned approaches
These programmes focus on curriculum quality, teacher development, coaching, and phonics‑led instruction.
National studies show that well-supported departments with coherent curricula and leadership backing see improved learner confidence and increased uptake.
How should departments plan specification-aligned exam preparation?
Use:
SAMs
ActiveHub assessments
structured revision routines (Pearson Revise)
Links:
Sample assessment materials French: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/french-2024.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments
Sample assessment materials Spanish: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/spanish-2024.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments
Sample assessment materials German: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/german-2024.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments
Pearson Revise: https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/revision-and-exam-practice-for-the-new-mfl-qualifications
Effective exam preparation is gradual, supportive and focuses on building confidence through practice, modelling and targeted feedback.