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Original poster

Y9 GCSE Options - Latin or History?

38 replies

fayebebaby · 15/02/2014 13:20

DS brought home the options booklet yesterday, he needs to choose 4 subjects and 2 reserve ones. So triple science is 1st choice, then Spanish and Geography, he wants to put Latin as 4th choice, History being the other alternative, which would be most useful? He has no idea what he wants to do career wise but he wants to do A levels, he`s a clever lad - so his teachers tell me Grin.

I would prefer him to do History, his school is the only comp in our area that offers Latin and I have heard its not a well recognised subject. His school don't have a huge success rate with History at GCSE though. I have said its up to him but any thoughts? advice would help.

He then has to choose 2 reserve subjects - theres not much left to choose from now so its down to Computer Science or Information and Communications Technology - any idea`s which would be the better of those - he has no preference and we are hoping it won't come down to the reserve options and he will get his 1st 4 choices TIA

OP posts:
Starballbunny · 15/02/2014 13:57

DH did Latin, squashed into breaks and lunch times, so he only has a C.

Despite that he still says it's helpful with reading Spanish on holiday. A fair bit of Spanish looks similar to the posh word in English and a lot if our long words have Latin roots.

MerryMarigold · 15/02/2014 13:54

I did Latin, though not Spanish. At GCSE, I would say they are bit too similar. If I was looking through a CV, I would be more impressed by range at GCSE.

ZeroSomeGameThingy · 15/02/2014 13:53

He doesn't need to know what he wants as a career but you do both need to think hard about what he might want to study at University - assuming that is under consideration.

Look at some possible subjects at different places. What are the A' levels he would need to qualify for that subject? Which GCSEs does he need to have done (well) to go on to the A'level?

He will need your help with this - particularly if his school is not providing any guidance.

Leeds2 · 15/02/2014 13:51

My DD is doing Latin GCSE, and the course is half language and half classical civilisation, so if your son's course is the same, he will end up doing some history too, iyswim.

I think Latin is very highly regarded, people think - as someone said up thread - that you must be bright if you study it!

Latin might also help with the Spanish.

MerryMarigold · 15/02/2014 13:51

Latin is good for languages, and quite mathematical/ memory based. However, I think History would broaden his skill base much more. There is more analysis and some essay writing (though precious little at GCSE). I think there's not much argument/ debate/ analysis in his choices, which would be covered by Philosophy/ politics/ RE/ History/ Social Studies etc. If he is a clever lad and could manage the History, then I would do that simply as it will add to his skills and choices at A level/ degree.

meerschweinchen · 15/02/2014 13:48

In that case, definitely. History involves lots of essays! Latin might involve some, but not to the same extent. Fwiw,I did both Latin and History at GSCE and A Level, and loved both. Latin does make you stand out a bit as it has rarity value these days!

HermioneWeasley · 15/02/2014 13:46

Latin will be a better grounding in lots of things - arts, literature, languages, grammar.

Original poster
fayebebaby · 15/02/2014 13:45

He enjoys Spanish and isn`t too keen on essay writing so maybe Latin is the way to go thanks again

OP posts:
meerschweinchen · 15/02/2014 13:43

I would say they are both great subjects. Shame he can't do both! Latin is a well regarded academic subject, so a good one to do if he is bright. Latin will help with Spanish, so if he's keen on languages, I'd say do that.

Original poster
fayebebaby · 15/02/2014 13:42

Cant see him doing an English degree, I have told him its up to him, at the end of the day he`s the one who will be doing the work - just wanted some thoughts on Latin in general from an objective point of view, thanks for replying

OP posts:
Original poster
fayebebaby · 15/02/2014 13:32

Hi, he doesn't want to do History at A level, Maths and Spanish would be on his list for A levels. You mention Latin and people pull faces and don't seem to see the point in it - well where we live they do

OP posts:
Starballbunny · 15/02/2014 13:30

If he wants to do an English degree, then I believe History GCSE and A level is often a good choice, otherwise let him choose. He's got an academic humanity with geography.

Oh and don't tell DD1, she'd love to go to a comp. that did Latin.

Reincarnatedpig · 15/02/2014 13:25

I think it's up to him. Everyone thinks you're clever if you do Latin. It is highly regarded - mostly private schools and grammars do it, grade boundaries are normally high for that reason. I assume he won't be able to do History A level though.

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