Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Godolphin and Latymer Mandarin requirement year 7?

38 replies

SamPoodle123 · 21/01/2023 08:29

Hello. I am just curious why is it required to take Mandarin year 7? I can understand as having it as an option, but wondering why it would be required for all to take? Why not let the students select what two languages they take from the start instead of allowing it year 8? My dd is waiting to find out if she gets offered a spot there.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Maplegurl · 14/03/2024 23:06

For GL it’s a bit odd that you can’t choose a language and stick to it all the way through. As for complete bilingualism it takes years to master the written part aspect of a language and there should be the option for students being tested in a second language and have different sets as they do for for math and English. Not wait until gsces

Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 29/01/2023 19:27

@Londonmummy202 thanks for your feedback. That is good to know and glad to hear your dd loves it :)

OP posts:
Londonmummy202 · 29/01/2023 18:44

My dd really enjoys mandarin despite never having done it before! She’s now picked to do it for GCSE as well as her other language (french). It is completely different to any other subject and has a different skill set. I think that may be why it is mandatory? It’s also becoming more and more useful in society so may help in the future? I know that my dd would never had picked it if it was an option but now loves it! In Y7 it’s quite laid back and relaxed so no need to worry if it isn’t your thing!

DailySnooze · 24/01/2023 16:00

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

herefortheparty · 24/01/2023 15:01

My daughter is also learning Russian at the moment.
Unsure why you view it as a 'fruitless endeavour.' All Slavic origin languages are similar, so the words themselves may be similar in Polish/Slovakian/Czech etc. Bulgaria also uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Much great literature was written in Russian; Dostoyevsky, Chekhov. The culture and history are fascinating.
It's not all about a holiday or exchange visit!

DailySnooze · 24/01/2023 14:33

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

DailySnooze · 24/01/2023 14:30

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

Xinnianhao · 24/01/2023 14:28

Now I'm worried about someone will write to my DC's school with petition to stop teaching the Russian language. 😓

Phos · 24/01/2023 14:26

My daughter does Mandarin and French at the moment at primary. At the secondary she is most likely to go to, 4 classes take French and German from Y7 and have the option to take one or both to GCSE, the other class just do Mandarin. No option to pick up a second language, its just Mandarin. I'm really hoping she is not put in the Mandarin class.

Xinnianhao · 24/01/2023 14:18

A lot people live outside China (including Taiwan) speak and study Chinese.

Not claiming you a racist at all, you have your right to make the informed choice.

I just stating what other people might think.

DailySnooze · 24/01/2023 14:07

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

Xinnianhao · 24/01/2023 13:43

I'm sure a lot of Taiwanese / Singaporean / Hongkong / Malaysian / China / American / European Chinese people feel offended by the above message.

DailySnooze · 24/01/2023 13:29

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

UKMum2021 · 23/01/2023 19:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Ashara · 23/01/2023 11:33

My DD studies Mandarin in Y7 & 8 at her state school, alongside another MFL (she does Spanish but could do French or German). They do GCSE's over 3 years so can drop it in Y9 if they want to. I rather like that they do something a bit different

user149799568 · 23/01/2023 11:20

@SamPoodle123 part of your original question was why any specific MFL should be compulsory, as opposed to simply requiring at least one MFL. I agree that's an excellent question. As for why Mandarin? Why not? Some parents (and girls) will, for various personal reasons, favor one language or another. I don't see any compelling arguments why a year or two of French or Spanish should be compulsory, either.

PreplexJ · 22/01/2023 20:12

@SamPoodle123 grammar wise Spanish and Mandarin has a lot in common - speak from my experience..

FurAndFeathers · 22/01/2023 20:10

languagesschools · 21/01/2023 16:40

I think all these schools cater to the belief that China is growing so fast that they all need to learn Mandarin for the new world order. G&L is not the only one teaching Mandarin in Year 7. I agree, I find it a bit odd. Maybe learn a language where the home country sort of respects women's rights? Just an idea.

What specifically is it about women’s rights (as opposed to human rights generally) that you’re concerned about?

SeasonFinale · 22/01/2023 20:06

They will have decided for timetabling purposes. As someone said they will have to learn the alphabet/characters and therefore it is probably better to start younger so that if they want to proceed to gcse they have a better chance at getting good grades.

Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 22/01/2023 20:03

beautifulyoungmind · 22/01/2023 19:49

"I would rather her focus on a language she is more likely to use like French or Spanish"
How about what she'd rather focus on? Mandarin is studied in Y7 so those girls who have never had a chance to study it before can decide for themselves whether they'd like to focus on it from Y8. Has your daughter had the chance to study Mandarin before?
If they don't like it they can drop it in Year 8 for a second MFL which some girls choose to take on to GCSE dropping the original Y7 MFL.
There's time at secondary, especially somewhere like G&L, to be exposed to new things for the fun & breadth of it.

Yup, she wanted to take up Spanish as her third language. But obviously, it depends on what offers she gets and what school she goes to. If she has to take Mandarin, she will obviously do it. I just questioned why it was mandatory. If there was a reason for it.

OP posts:
beautifulyoungmind · 22/01/2023 19:49

"I would rather her focus on a language she is more likely to use like French or Spanish"
How about what she'd rather focus on? Mandarin is studied in Y7 so those girls who have never had a chance to study it before can decide for themselves whether they'd like to focus on it from Y8. Has your daughter had the chance to study Mandarin before?
If they don't like it they can drop it in Year 8 for a second MFL which some girls choose to take on to GCSE dropping the original Y7 MFL.
There's time at secondary, especially somewhere like G&L, to be exposed to new things for the fun & breadth of it.

Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 22/01/2023 16:54

chiswickfamily · 22/01/2023 13:36

Yes, that would be a good idea.

Show quote history

I can understand why they would have it as an option, not that it is mandatory. I think they should keep the language, just let the students decide if they want to do it or another language instead.

OP posts:
Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 22/01/2023 16:52

This reply has been deleted

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

I feel like a waste of time for sure, unless the dc wants to do it. I would rather her focus on a language she is more likely to use like French or Spanish.

OP posts:
chloeandcharlie · 22/01/2023 13:44

This reply has been deleted

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

totally agree 😂

chiswickfamily · 22/01/2023 13:36

PreplexJ · 22/01/2023 13:34

Mmmm.. What would be the next emerging economic power house, should I suggest the school start considering hiring the teacher?

Yes, that would be a good idea.