Can't do triple science unless you're predicted at least a C in MFL

do dyslexics find learning another language more difficult than others?

There is absolutely no relationship between dyslexia and the ability to learn MFL. Some dyslexics are brilliant linguists.

However they are heavily dependent on aural input, as opposed to reading. They therefore need to be immersed in a high-quality language-rich environment in order to learn an MFL. The environment of the average English MFL classroom does not meet this spec

I have a science degree.....and I failed 'O' level French.

That sounds like typical public sector logic at work to me
l I am not sure about this double/triple science business.As I understand it triple science isn't more difficult you just cover more ground in each topic.Therefore it would suggest to me that if all schools spent more time on science evrybody could go in for triple.My Dc (grammar) schoo spend 3 periods a week on each of teh 3 sciences from Y7 on.That is 9* 40mins ie 6 hours a week.Lets face it much more jobs are in STEM subjects than the arts

Yes, I agree, that that it is entirely possible to be challenged by a MFL whilst being accomplished at other subjects. I went to a grammar school, where french was compulsary at O level. I was not a straight A student, at O level, 5 A's 2B's, 2C's, but I really struggled with French. I remember asking to drop French, but was turned down as I was viewed as a student who should be able to get a C. I eventually got a U, much to my delight, as this meant it did not make it onto my exam transcript. I always thought this was a better result than having a D on there! Although there will always be 'all rounders', some children/adults can excel in some areas and struggle in others. I understand the need to drive up standards across the board, and the concept of a rounded education, but chafe a bit at the required uniformity/conformity of the Ebacc. Do we all have to strive for the same things - up to GCSE anyway? I agree that English/maths are essential, but why should everyone study a science or MFL?. It's interesting to see how things have changed over the years, I did my O & A levels in the eighties and the mandatory subjects were maths/English Lang/English lit/history/geography & French. There were 3 optional Choices which could be the 3 sciences. Or other combos like art/RE/economics. Many students dropped all sciences prior to embarking on O level courses. My school sent 6 to 10 students yearly to Oxbridge, many of whom had not studied any sciences since age 14. The brightest student in my year dropped all sciences, age 14, went on to study law at Cambridge with an offer of EE. I am not saying children today should not study science, merely remarking that there are many ways to earn a living in adulthood and I think some autonomy of choice in what is studied is not necessarily a bad thing.

DS1 (current year 9) has already been told he's doing triple science (he gets L8) but he does struggle with MFL.
OP, id talk to the school if I were you. It seems each school has there own way of doing things.

Lynette
I dont think that the problem is learning a language as such.German is very phonetical so easy to learn to spell, but I think it's the style of exam that ds struggles with. He is very intelligent with excellent analytical skills, but we spent all sunday for him to learn five sentances for his oral.
The trouble was he was he was in top sets in yr 7 and they did two languages from day 1. Because he was in top sets he was expected to get 75% in the weekly mfl tests. He was being kept in to redo the tests. Thankfully the senco stepped in and they stopped the pressure. I got him moved down a set for mfl in yr8. He chose to take german for gcse but he would have been better getting an A in another subject. He did attempt a short latin in 6th form for a while but he found it too much work on top of 4 alevels and an engineering btech.

OP is this because of the new ebacc, or Uni?

martorana

I know you were talking about a gcse in MFL. I have known quite a few people who got Ds - like me - or only just managed to scrape a C while getting straight As in everything else.

We all then went on to good universities.

There were also plenty of other people at our school who also did very well in MFL at gcse.

Being bad at mfl while being good at all other subjects, while obviously far from being the majority is a not unsubstantial minority.

I didn't make myself clear. I think that many people who can do well in other subjects might struggle with learning a MFL. I am talking about getting a GCSE in a MFL. Not the same thing at all!

I must admit, I never really do understand these people that say that somebody must find MFL ''not much of a struggle'' because they are intelligent enough to do well in other subjects.

I think that it's fair to say that most children who would otherwise do very well will not find it a struggle. However, I would suggest that there is a substantial minority that do find it a struggle.

To dismiss these children simply because they are not in the majority is doing a very big disservice.

bruffin - do dyslexics find learning another language more difficult than others?

I'm curious because I have an Aspergers DS who scored incredibly badly on the language aptitude test he was given at school (I was never really sure if he's done so poorly on purpose) and I also have a dyslexic DD...just wondering what the future holds for her.

DS2 has also taken a language aptitude test and did very poorly. (He is academically the most average DC on the planet according to SATs, but has been tested for dyslexia, so I'm guessing the school had some concerns - and to say he didn't do very well is an understatement!)

Obviously, we could just be a family who isn't good at languages, despite none of us being "thick".

Absolutely. Many people are highly successful without a MFL. But deciding not to do one at GCSE is, IMHO, a mistake. A NT student capable of getting As in other subjects should not find the rqther limited amount of language necessary for a GCSE much of a struggle, and it's a bit of paper she might well find useful in the future.

bruffin

I'm sure it isn't - but that doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of subject areas for which it is very highly rated and so this is a relevant concern for people applying for those courses

Martorana

If you actually read the thread, you'll find that there have been quite a few people who have struggled with MFL but have gone on to get straight As in everything else and be not too unsuccessful in later life.

German :; if you can't get Latin or Greek.

DD2 at Oxford. I would advise to go for the A*s at GCSE. She was put in for a Stats one (no lessons) and got an A. The chap,looking at her results, said 'Shame about the A'.

Martorano
Its easy to get if you can memorize pages of text with no context, but not if you are dyslexic with memory problems.

TBH owl you don't even need to be that good at maths for triple science.

There was some unhappiness in DS's Physics class in Year 10 when the Teacher was assuming Maths awareness in all the class that only those in the Maths top set had. There were complaints from parents and children and I think it got resolved eventually.

Isn't at least a C in a MFL- not hard to get, frankly, for a student predicted As in other subjects- the least you could expect from a person claiming to have a rounded education?

Its not that highly ranked for ds subject.

I know what UCL actually say, but why waste time doing a summer school or taking a subject for a year when there are better universities out there that dont require their to do it.

I would argue that there are quite a few subjects that UCL are really good at. In my particular area - going back many many years ago - there were only two universities that were worth considering, they were UCL and Warwick. At the time I felt the UCL course was better and that justified going there - I have no regrets in this decision.

Having said that, UCL have now dropped the actual course I did and if I were applying today I would choose Warwick as they are still at the very top in this area.

Not sure that a summer school is going to make much different.

The summer school is just a box ticking exercise - there is no exam to pass

Are you concerned because your DC's school will not allow the study of the three sciences and a MFL?

I know what UCL actually say, but why waste time doing a summer school or taking a subject for a year when there are better universities out there that dont require their to do it. Ds has had offers from RG universities despite his d in german.
My ds did french and german from yr 7 to yr9 and german until yr 11. I find their attitude pretty insulting to be honest. Not sure that a summer school is going to make much different.

Lynette maybe?

I posted too soon above. I meant to say:-

I'm speaking as a UCL graduate who got a D in French

Have I confused LSE with UCL? [stupid emoticon]