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Original poster

The consequences of not taking a MFL GCSE

35 replies

QuizTeamAguilera · 02/07/2013 16:34

We have received the letter today, from DD's school, confirming her GCSE choices. They are:

Art (she is arty and enjoys it)
Graphics (to support her art)
History (has done remarkably well in this subject)
Geography (another very good set of grades to date)

She is an equal mix of arty and academic but I am concerned that, by omitting either French or Spanish, she might be hampering her chances later down the line.

Do the better universities really use lack of a MFL as a screening process? I've has several chats with DD and she is adamant she will not reconsider. I'm writing this here, in the hope we might receive some feedback (either way) that I can show to her. She thinks I'm talking rubbish and I could very well be.

OP posts:
LittenTree · 04/07/2013 19:26

Hmm, bruffin. I did French 'O' level from 1973-8. What it taught me was a) some French, b) a better understanding of the structure of English and c) the role of Latin as a common root.

If only, if only my DSs could pass MFL via learning 'long passages of text' ... What's the Board that allows this? In ours, my DSs have to be conversant in their MFL to 'pass'.

"Best" subjects are fab. It's just the role of the DC to convince the ongoing Admissions person why they chose a whole bunch of Humanities, say, over a range of subjects in order to trump the other applicants.... Maybe As in History and Geography might be 'better' than a C in MFL........ depending on who they're trying to convince, eh?

crazymum53 · 04/07/2013 17:45

I think that where possible dcs should choose their "best" subjects at GCSE. Surely grade As in History and Geography would be better than a C in MFL?

bruffin · 04/07/2013 16:51

I think it demonstrates another tier of learning; a certain flexibility of mind.

It demonstrates nothing of the sort. A gcse in mfl just demonstrates an ability to remember long passages of text and no more than that.

LittenTree · 04/07/2013 15:28

I think if a DC is capable of passing a MFL they should do one.

I think it demonstrates another tier of learning; a certain flexibility of mind.

2rebecca · 02/07/2013 17:53

In Scotland a modern language and a science were encouraged, although that is changing with some areas limited to 6 subjects not the previous 8 when we had standard grades.
You had to get permission not to take both a science and a modern language at my son's school, and to drop English at higher level.

GrimmaTheNome · 02/07/2013 17:25

Oh goodSmile

Original poster
QuizTeamAguilera · 02/07/2013 17:18

Thanks all. Grimma, that link tells us all we need to know.

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 02/07/2013 17:12

This comes up quite often - some more answers here

Jaffalemon · 02/07/2013 16:53

Made no difference to DDs application for Bath Uni but she's doing accountancy now so wouldnt need a language.

Not sure if Bath is classed as a good Uni on here!

bruffin · 02/07/2013 16:46

Looking at unis at the moment and the only one I have seen that needs a language is UCL. If you dont have a C at GCSE, you need to take a language course along side your degree. Its a bit ridiculous, a C in GCSE is hardly indicative of your intercultural awarenessHmm