to think this government hasn't got a clue about education- why should all children be made to take MFL at GCSE?

[LuluJakey1]

What is it with the ill-thought out education ideas this government has? Why should every child take a GCSE in MFL? It is not something many children enjoy or feel has relevance to them.

Why should a school not be able to be outstanding if it does not make all students take a GCSE in MFL?

Misti you can't, is the answer to your first paragraph.

When the requirement for an MFL at primary was brought in, it was simultaneously dropped as a requirement beyond 14. Bonkers.

As a side note, I know plenty of bilingual kids with SEN. As long as you start early enough there are plenty who will manage.

How do you think they've been doing it in Wales for the last 30 odd years?

Lambsie Children with severe SEN need appriopate MFL lessons. Chidren who are as severe as you describe often learn makaton which is simplified BSL. I saw a class of children with severe SEN really enjoy making social contact with a class of Austian children. I doult they ever learnt german, but it was a social experience.

I was made to do French and German up to O Level. I have spoken not a word of either language since I left school 35 years ago. I have visited neither France or Germany.

Dd is not doing any MFL at GCSE, she is dyslexic and can barely cope with English let alone another language.

I did French A Level.

Didn't speak a word for 15 years then randomly ended up working in France. I now speak it every day and am fairly fluent.

"I haven't found it useful so no one should have to learn it" is daft.

I did MFL at university. Someone once told me scathingly this was a 'fancy' degree! In any case I have used it to a very limited extent in my job (EU VAT returns, some correspondence and translation). It's been moderately useful when travelling.

Where it was very useful was in a road accident where I was the only French speaker and able to communicate with the injured French driver and her children, helping the police and the emergency services. For that alone I am glad I studied languages.

Someone said above MFL learning is important to learn about the culture of other countries. A lot of that can be learnt under a geography banner without needing to learn the mechanics of a foreign language. Forcing children to study any subject where they can't see the relevance is not likely to be worthwhile.