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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:
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?

BlueTick · 22/01/2023 13:27

This reply has been withdrawn

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

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 22/01/2023 10:31

Perhaps they have put a lot of effort into recruiting Mandarin teachers and want to ensure they have full classes every year?

Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 21/01/2023 17:48

coffeeteame · 21/01/2023 17:12

Also, from what I've seen, learning Mandatin is a totally different skill-set to learning other European languages - mainly because there is no alphabet. It may suit DC who don't have a particular flair for Spanish, French, Italian, German. Mind you, I'd say the majority at G&L are bi-lingual anyway. When someone asked that at a talk, more than half the hands went up! Quite a few speak 3 languages.

Yes, my dd is bilingual already and attends a French bilingual school. I was just curious why it is Mandarin they decide is mandatory and not another language. Or why not just let the student decide which language. It is not a deal breaker of course. Just wondering the thoughts behind it.

At FHSS it looks like the mandatory language is French.

OP posts:
languagesschools · 21/01/2023 17:32

PreplexJ · 21/01/2023 17:27

"Maybe learn a language where the home country sort of respects women's rights?"

Is there a language where the home country had no controversal issues? 😲

Perhaps teaching utopian language in GCSE that never create dialogue opportunities..

you are right. i am sorry.

PreplexJ · 21/01/2023 17:27

"Maybe learn a language where the home country sort of respects women's rights?"

Is there a language where the home country had no controversal issues? 😲

Perhaps teaching utopian language in GCSE that never create dialogue opportunities..

coffeeteame · 21/01/2023 17:12

Also, from what I've seen, learning Mandatin is a totally different skill-set to learning other European languages - mainly because there is no alphabet. It may suit DC who don't have a particular flair for Spanish, French, Italian, German. Mind you, I'd say the majority at G&L are bi-lingual anyway. When someone asked that at a talk, more than half the hands went up! Quite a few speak 3 languages.

coffeeteame · 21/01/2023 17:05

I thought all schools do this now? I think the same happens at LU?

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.

Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 21/01/2023 12:46

TeenDivided · 21/01/2023 09:11

Maybe it starts all students off at a level playing field?
Maybe they have found that studying it develops part of the mind / learning skills that otherwise lie dormant?
Maybe they have a teacher they need to utilise more?
Maybe they have found that kids won't choose it if given the option, but once they have studied it for a year a number actively choose to continue?

This makes sense. Perhaps it is one of the reasons you posted.

OP posts:
Original poster
SamPoodle123 · 21/01/2023 12:45

LondonMum20222 · 21/01/2023 09:05

I would wait until you have an offer before worrying about the minutiae! No school's curriculum is going to chime perfectly with yours /DD's wishlist. Every secondary school seems to take a different approach to MFL from what I've seen. It's just up to you to decide if it's a deal breaker or not. But for now, I would stop worrying and just put it all out of your mind until Feb 10th!

I am not really worrying about it...just curious.

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 21/01/2023 09:11

Maybe it starts all students off at a level playing field?
Maybe they have found that studying it develops part of the mind / learning skills that otherwise lie dormant?
Maybe they have a teacher they need to utilise more?
Maybe they have found that kids won't choose it if given the option, but once they have studied it for a year a number actively choose to continue?

LondonMum20222 · 21/01/2023 09:05

I would wait until you have an offer before worrying about the minutiae! No school's curriculum is going to chime perfectly with yours /DD's wishlist. Every secondary school seems to take a different approach to MFL from what I've seen. It's just up to you to decide if it's a deal breaker or not. But for now, I would stop worrying and just put it all out of your mind until Feb 10th!