Taking 2 languages

Grades are definitely a bit lower in MFL in year 9 since they are nearer beginners' stage.

DS1 did two MFL. They were his highest grades in the end.

Agree with Clary; what you need to know is what they think she's capable of getting.
It does tend to be a steeper learning curve for languages, especially if it's one they haven't started at all until secondary, so it may well be the case that she'll go up more in languages than other subjects.

We had a similar issue with computer science, where DD's reports have always said "average" for attainment, despite being above in all other academic subjects. We suspected that the teacher just didn't give many kids anything other than average (none of her friends had done any better), but we queried it at parents' evening, since we didn't want her considering the subject if she wasn't going to do as well in it as she would in any other.

I think her "being on a 5-6 now" is meaningless really. Does it mean that's what she'd get if she took the GCSE now? If so, I never know why this matters, as that's not what she's going to do.

What do they think she is capable of getting at GCSE in Yr 11? That's the key question. Though if she is in top set and enjoys languages then it sounds like a good plan to take them.

I see others say the same as me 😁

Teen makes a good point about revision - it's cumulative for MFL so there's less of a, massive load in April of Yr 11, as long as you keep it going.

I should add that I taught MFL and it is still my passion so I may be biased 😏

It's great that she wants to take two MFL, also that she has the chance to 👏👏 yes, there is a steeper learning curve. What grades are they predicting? And does she plan on applying to Oxford for uni? Cos if not, seriously, her GCSE grades don't matter beyond a certain level - so 6666778899 is just as good as 6777888999 for her future. Obviously she will need 6+ or even 7+ in her A level choices but apart from that, don't let predicted grades be an issue.

Disclaimer: if it's a choice between PG of 3 and PG of 8 then Obv the 8 is a better bet.

DH reckons it’s all about numbers and grades

Languages provide a skill for life. Much better to get a 7 for a language (or two) than a 9 for art, say.

We found for DD1 that the advantages of doing 2 MFL outweighed disadvantages.

The 'exam technique' was the same for both subjects.
There was (then at least) less revision load for MFL than for some other subjects as they are more cumulative.
She could guess words she didn't know if she knew them in the other language (did French & Spanish, might not be the case with German).

DT is a lot of coursework. Computer Science can be hard to get your head around.

I'd suggest your DD should take the subjects she enjoys. Grades would only come into it for me if, for example she chose a subject where she was predicted a 2 over one where she was predicted a 9. Getting a 6 rather than a 7 doesn't really make much difference unless you specifically need a 7 for something you want to do later (entry requirement for A Levels in very academic school for example). And there's no way any grade prediction can tell you at this point anyway.

Mine did three languages and I think it made unis want them/give them lower offers!

Surely creative subjects are only easier to get high grades if you are good at them?

She's in top sets and likes languages. Even if she gets 1 grade lower in them than she might have done in something else, is that really a good reason to not do them? GCSEs are about education as well as grades.

(My DD1 did 2 MFL under the old GCSEs).