Modern languages at Secondary

I think the theory is that, if they have an aptitude for languages they can easily pick up a second language later on and so do two at GCSE. That's what my DC did and is now looking to do languages at uni - where you can still start a new language from scratch alongside your main one.

For the kids who don't take to languages, studying 2 in Y 7 and Y8 could be very tortuous and will impact on time available for other subjects

Is it any wonder that, as a nation, we are poor at languages? Even the children that want to do it can't . My DDs did French in year 7 and then could add one of either Spanish, German or Italian in year 8. In recent years, Latin is now offered as an extra to the gifted ones, or not do a second language if their English/Maths needs extra work.

For young people who are good at languages it is a huge advantage to do 2 language A levels and quite a few universities scratch around for adequately qualified linguists so offers can be quite a lot lower than say History or English at the very best universities. Many State educated pupils are not as well prepared as independent school pupils and this is not because state pupils cannot do languages, it is because too few schools are capable of teaching more than one for GCSE making 2 language A levels virtually impossible. Why do schools fail to teach subjects that are very important to our economic well being? I agree, it is very disappointing.

My ds's (comp) school has half Y7 doing French/half doing German then you can pick up Spanish and Latin (as twilight) from Y8 plus you have to continue with the language you started with.

The thing that irritates me is if you do French you can't ever pick up German and if you do German you can't ever pick up French. DS did Spanish and French in (state) primary and would have liked to go back to French but doesn't like Spanish so is hoping to do Latin alongside German.

It varies massively from school to school.

My DC have been able to study two languages at the same time from Y7 (DD chose to do 2, DS chose to do 1) - comp in a different part of London. Friends at other schools mainly do one language or one for half of Y7 and another for the other half. Some offer extra language options as they get older.

When my DD started (now year 11), they could choose two from French, German and Spanish. All had to do Latin. They had the option of giving one language up at the end of Year 8.

It then changed, and they now start with one of French, German or Spanish (child's choice) in Year 7, and adding a second in Year 8. I think they can still give one up at the end of Year 9.

DD's school French in y7-9.
Can take up Spanish or German for GCSE. Latin also offered as twilight.

school my DC are in (comprehensive, now also an academy) most children study 2 out of French, Spanish and German y7-y9 and can carry either or both on to GCSE. Some children only do 1 language, but these are given extra time for maths and english. I think last years y7 only did 1 language, and some picked up a second in y8, 2 languages is certainly the norm this year for Y7 (and was for students currently in y9)

Cant speak for Haringey but we only learnt French in years seven and eight. Could add in German and or Latin years 9-11.