International GCSE languages Conducting Assessments - Administrative Support Guide - English as a Second Language (4XES2) (2023)

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket

Administrative Support Guide for International GCSE English as a Second Language (4XES2) (2023) explains how teachers should prepare students for examinations, covering unit requirements, paper descriptions, assessment criteria, and the risks of incorrectly conducted tests. It provides key dates guidance, assessment availability across May/June and November series, qualification overview with unit codes and mark weightings, and operational instructions for conducting and submitting reading, listening, writing, and speaking components, including learner work transfer and special requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Key dates

Assessment availability

Qualification overview

Units

Unit 1: Reading

Unit 2: Listening

Unit 3: Writing

Unit 4: Speaking

Submitting assessment overview

Guidance on uploading to LWT

How to submit assessments using LWT

Learner Work Transfer FAQs

Special Requirements

Extra time

Supervised breaks

More support with special requirements

International GCSE languages Conducting Assessments Administrative Support Guide English as a Second Language (4XES2) (2023) This document should be read in conjunction with the subject specification which can be found on the Pearson website here. Contact information To contact our assessment or teaching support teams, please use the Support Portal and select the relevant support categories. Our Languages Subject Advisor can be contacted via [teachinglanguages@pearson.com](teachinglanguages@pearson.com) September 2024 All the material in this publication is copyright. © Pearson Education Ltd 2024 Contents: Introduction: Overview 3 Key dates 3 Assessment availability 4 Qualification overview 4 Topics and subtopics 5 Units: Unit 1: Reading 6 Unit 2: Listening 7 Unit 3: Writing 10 Unit 4: Speaking 11 Cash-in code 4XES2 20 Submitting assessment Overview 21 materials Guidance on uploading to LWT 22 How to submit assessments using LWT 22 Learner Work Transfer FAQs 24 Special Requirements Extra time 25 Supervised breaks 25 More support with special requirements 25 Introduction This guide is designed to advise teachers on how best to prepare students for examinations in International GCSE English as a Second Language. Teachers should familiarise themselves with the details of the International GCSE specification, including the paper description, assessment requirements and assessment criteria. These are available on our website: English as a Second Language (2023) . Teachers should also refer to the Speaking Guidance section in the MFL Getting Started guide for English as a Second Language. It is essential that teachers are aware of the requirements of each unit, as any incorrectly conducted tests can adversely affect candidates’marks. Key dates Please refer to the information manual for key dates and entry information for International GCSE languages. Papers for Unit 1 (Reading), Unit 2 (Listening), and Unit 3 (Writing) are timetabled examinations. Exam timetables can be found on our website. Speaking assessments must be scheduled within the designated speaking window dates. As soon as the speaking window dates are confirmed, these will be published on the languages landing page. The submission deadline for International GCSE MFL candidate speaking recordings is two working days after the last oral exam for that language has taken place in the centre. If conducting speaking exams on a Friday, the submissions must therefore be made by the following Tuesday. Assessment availability The English as a Second Language International GCSE is a unitised qualification with all units available in the May/June exam series and November exam series each year: | Specification | | | Availability | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Entry | Option | Title | June (from
June 2025) | November (from Nov 2025) | | 4WES1 | | English as a Second Language (Unit 1) | Yes | Yes | | 4WES1 | R | English as a Second Language (Unit 1R) | Yes | Yes | | 4WES2 | | English as a Second Language (Unit 2) | Yes | Yes | | 4WES2 | R | English as a Second Language (Unit 2R) | Yes | Yes | | 4WES3 | | English as a Second Language (Unit 3) | Yes | Yes | | 4WES3 | R | English as a Second Language (Unit 3R) | Yes | Yes | | 4WES4 | | English as a Second Language (Unit 4) | Yes | Yes | | 4XES2 | | English as a Second Language Cash-in | Yes | Yes | Qualification overview The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in English as a Second Language (4XES2) consists of four externally assessed units. The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in the above language is a unitised qualification. Units may be taken in different exam series, and the cash-in code entered in the final exam series taken by a candidate. | Paper | Code | Total marks | Percentage of qualification | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Paper 1: Reading | 4WES1/01 | 50 | 25% | | Paper 2: Listening | 4WES2/01 | 50 | 25% | | Paper

FAQs

What is the purpose of this Administrative Support Guide for 4XES2 teachers?

It advises teachers on preparing students for International GCSE English as a Second Language examinations and highlights the importance of following each unit’s requirements and assessment criteria.

When are the reading, listening, and writing papers available, and how is speaking scheduled?

Reading, listening, and writing are timetabled examinations in the May/June and November series. Speaking assessments must be scheduled within the designated speaking window, with dates published once confirmed.

What is the submission deadline for candidate speaking recordings?

Submissions are due two working days after the last oral exam for that language at the centre; for Friday exams, submissions must be made by the following Tuesday.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket