UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the month of January, 2004 PEARSON plc (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) N/A (Translation of registrant's name into English) 80 Strand London, England WC2R 0RL 44-20-7010-2000 (Address of principal executive office) Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: Form 20-F X Form 40-F Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Yes No X -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Report includes the following documents: 1. A press release from Pearson plc announcing Director Shareholding 5 January 2004 RNS The London Stock Exchange Old Broad Street London EC2N 1HP Dear Sirs Non-Executive Directors' Share Purchase Plan Below are details of purchases of ordinary shares made on 31 December 2003 under the Non-Executive Directors' Share Purchase Plan:- Name of No. of Percentage Price Total Holding Total Percentage Director Shares of Issued per Following Following Purchased Stock Share Notification Notification Lord 238 0.000030% 625.78p 3,043 0.00038% Burns Reuben 309 0.000039% 625.78p 13,561 0.00169% Mark Vernon 238 0.000030% 625.78p 2,992 0.00037% Sankey Gurvirendra Talwar 966 0.000120% 625.78p 12,268 0.00153% If there are any questions in connection with this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours faithfully Stephen Jones Deputy Secretary SAJ/DC END SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. PEARSON plc Date: 5 January, 2004 By: /s/ STEPHEN JONES ----------------------- Stephen Jones Deputy Secretary