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Original poster

Opinions on learning two languages or one?

31 replies

iwantavuvezela · 26/09/2018 14:00

My daughters school offers her the chance to study two languages in Year 7, so she choose two. However it seems like a lot of work ( starting to learn the grammar, two sets of language homework) and I am wondering if it would be better to focus on one until She is more secure. If they do one, then they double the session (so have two lessons, one repeated in one language). This could be I guess a bit "boring", but I imagine that repetition when learning a language is useful?

Or, for those who have children who have done this is it a good option to preserve with two?

I think they can change from two to one or even languages they are learning.

OP posts:
happymummy12345 · 26/09/2018 16:10

When I was at school, the first two years (7&8) only French was offered. Then the school became a specialist language college. When I was in year 9 we were given another language based on what set we were in for French. We didn't get an option. Top set were given Mandarin, second and third sets were given Spanish. Everyone else just did French.
It was hard doing two languages. Personally I didn't like it. Of course that's a personal preference.
For gcse we could choose which we wanted. And there were also others available. I chose the one I enjoyed the most and found easier to learn.
I do think learning a language is very worthwhile. I wish I'd had chance to carry on my chosen language.

villainousbroodmare · 26/09/2018 15:15

Definitely try the two. An unmissable opportunity.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 26/09/2018 15:13

Outside of school it's probably better to learn one at a time.

I managed to learn 2 at once in school though. I would have been bored to tears repeating the lesson.

I was always interested in learning languages though.

I think it depends on interest level.

Original poster
iwantavuvezela · 26/09/2018 15:10

Thank you for this answers, yes a good idea to check on future possibilities for language learning, and when that might again become possible.

Apologies I was a bit unclear about the boring bitI meant that the same lesson would be repeated if they only did one language, so two language lessons a week, if one language then lesson repeated, or two different language lessons.

I agree on the benefits of learning languages, I was wondering whether it is better to try and master one or if it made no difference to ability to learn if you did two.

Will wait Until after October half term and then re think.

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 26/09/2018 14:24

We had this choice in Y7 w ds1. He opted to take the two languages (French and Spanish). It is more work, no question there. The benefits for him are:
-the opportunity to try both languages to see which he prefers (he's heavily into scienve/computing so wont study more than 1 at GCSE).
-being in a class with others who are keen and able.

If he hadn't said yes he'd be no further ahead in French (all other classes are mixed ability) but the pace would be much less. He also wouldn't get another opportunity to do Spanish until Y9.

Id suggest your dd thinks about the workload but also checks out what her future opportunities for language study might be if she says yes, and if she said no.

mastertomsmum · 26/09/2018 14:05

Learning languages need not be boring. For many it is more interesting than science or art. Useful skill too.

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