New assessments for GCSE French, German and Spanish

Changes to how these GCSEs will be assessed in future confirmed by Ofqual.

From: Ofqual

Changes to how GCSEs in French, German and Spanish will be assessed in future have been confirmed today by Ofqual.

They are needed because the government is changing from 2024 how students will be taught and assessed in these subjects - to help young people develop their language skills for life and work.

The Department for Education’s (DfE) revisions to the subjects’ content will ensure students understand what vocabulary and grammar skills will be needed in their exams.

We consulted last year on our proposals for the assessment of these revised qualifications, at the same time as the DfE consulted on its draft changes. We are publishing the outcome of our consultation today. The DfE has also today published its final subject content revisions.

The DfE announced today the changes are due to come into effect for first teaching from September 2024, with first assessments in 2026.

We are going ahead with our consultation proposals - which set out revised assessment objectives, and confirm that the current use of tiered assessments and non-exam assessment (NEA) will continue.

Further draft proposals for the more detailed assessment requirements - in the Subject Level Conditions and Guidance - will go to public consultation in due course.

We are also inviting applications for independent subject experts – particularly experienced teachers - to work with us on the accreditation reviews of the revised qualifications. For more information, go to Guidance: Apply to be an external expert with Ofqual