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Original poster

German at GCSE? Yes or no

39 replies

Ormirian · 03/02/2011 16:25

DS1 is having his last parents evening before GCSE options tonight. He is leaning heavily towards the sciences and maths. But he is also doing German - not that good but good enough to get a grade B/C probably. He isn't keen but should we encourage him? Assuming that he will not speak it or read a word of it after GCSE Hmm is there a great deal of point? Would it offer a bit of balance>?

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webwiz · 03/02/2011 16:40

What would he do if he doesn't take German?

At my DCs school a language is compulsory so that takes the will I or won't I element out of the equation. I personally think languages are a "good thing" and they at least teach a different skill even if they aren't directly used later on.

EngelbertFustianMcSlinkydog · 03/02/2011 16:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GrungeBlobPrimpants · 03/02/2011 16:50

Unless he really, really hates it I'd encourage him tbh. Am old-fashioned in that I also consider language to be a 'good thing' and it will make a good balance with the sciencey stuff.

Also (god forbid) the way things are going an MFL may be a desirable university entry requirement again one day.

roisin · 03/02/2011 17:36

If he's seriously not keen, I wouldn't push it to be honest. Languages are hard work, and if he ends up choosing it because it was your idea, he's likely to resent it.

What else might he go for instead? Is there another (traditional/academic) subject that he's likely to get a higher grade in?

Witchesbrew · 03/02/2011 20:05

German is slowly declining in schools, and 'easier' Spanish is taking over. As such, a GCSE in German will look good and make him stand out from the crowd, as it is widely perceived as an academic subject.

mummyshreddingnora · 03/02/2011 20:07

I wouldn't push it if he's really not keen - but languages are good... and useful forever really

I did german and french at GCSE and then French at ALevel

Both well worth it

Original poster
Ormirian · 03/02/2011 20:08

Hmmm ....couldn't get to see his German teacher tonight so not sure what she reckons. He's doing really well with science, English, art and music. Maths is a bit meh it seems Hmm But several teachers reckons he's away with the fairies atm. So we are instituting a regime of early nights - he goes to bed early enough but the bugger doesn't go to sleep!

Strangely enough he's doing maths next year when she reckons he'll be on target for a B. Not sure what I think about that - she desn't think he'll get an A even if he took the exam in yr 11. Bit disappointing but he can resit if he wishes.

Next week we are going to have the GCSE options evening.

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said · 03/02/2011 20:09

Yes, German and sciences would be a good mix. But if he could get a better grade in another subject and/or enjoys that more, he should do that, I think.

Slight hijack. In schools where a language is compulsory, what's the pass rate and how does this square with the "not everyone can do languages" argument?

Panzee · 03/02/2011 20:10

For me Spanish would have been more useful. I've not used German since the day I finished the exam! But I guess we've got no way of knowing what the future will hold.

Original poster
Ormirian · 03/02/2011 20:11

roisin - he is considering geography. So we're looking at science - apparently it's 2 GCSEs unless they decide he can go on to do 3 seperate sciences in yr 11. Art maybe. Music. Engineering if he can get a place t college. I still think German would fit in nicely but we'll see. And maths and english of course.

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webwiz · 03/02/2011 20:15

At my DCs school last year 60% got above a C in a language but they do have a group of lower ability students who don't take language I've no idea how many that includes.

foxytocin · 03/02/2011 20:16

Ring the German teacher at the end of the teaching day. They'll happily chat with parents who they don't see.

I am a languages teacher so I am biased. Any language is worth taking as it teaches / reinforces skills which are cross curricular and once one learns how to learn a language, he can almost self teach any language which he may have to learn for work purposes later on in life. Worth considering in the global economy.

webwiz · 03/02/2011 20:16

That was for said by the way!

Original poster
Ormirian · 03/02/2011 20:55

Thanks folks.

I do feel a bit down. He is back to also-ran mode, more or less as he was throughout primary. Yr 7 he had a miraculous improvment which has sort of fizzled out..... Oh well. As long as he gets where he needs to be.

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GrimmaTheNome · 03/02/2011 20:59

If he's at all likely to end up as a scientist or engineer, and if he has to do a language, then German is the one most likely to be of some use in future.

mummytime · 04/02/2011 06:43

If he is academic I would think hard about the Enineering. My son was also considering it, but it is not needed for any Engineering careers, and they would prefer Maths and Physics. (However I would suggest your son needs to improve his Maths if possible.)

MaryAnnSingleton · 04/02/2011 07:09

am v interested to read this (and hi roisin !!)
Ds is stuck about whether to do German - he isn't keen and would have to really work hard to get a C (his other subjects are History,Geography and Music) but if he doesn't choose it he won't have a chance to get the pesky English Bacc...Drama is the other option,which would support music/English very well,plus most importantly increase his confidence -he is enormously shy but can perform (sings solo in front of audiences-always surprises me~!) We have to choose the options by Wednesday. German teacher says she'd be happy to have him but eqwually feels that he might be better off choosing something he can do very well in...

roisin · 04/02/2011 07:32

Are your schools pushing Ebacc? Ours aren't at all: it's not been mentioned at all.

ds1 will do German, but his teacher's already told him he expects him to get an A at least.

He's said he's interested in doing Spanish as well, but I think it will get squeezed out in the final cut.

MaryAnnSingleton · 04/02/2011 08:19

yes,heavily pushed.

Ariesgirl · 04/02/2011 08:25

German is well regarded because fewer kids do it and it's also challenging compared to so called easier and trendier Spanish. If taught well, it can be fascinating to learn. He's also likely to benefit from smaller class sizes. It was traditionally the language of engineering and science and even to this day a lot of texts are in German. Very handy.

Maybe try some reverse psychology! Don't look so keen and then he'll go for it.

Original poster
Ormirian · 04/02/2011 10:34

Thanks all.

It's the maths that really bothers me mummy. He used to be doing so well. Stupid thing is he can do it in his head - he is a natural, but doesn't do the work in class and drifts off when he's supposed to be concentrating.

There are only 10 places to do engineering GCSE at the college so he may well not get a place anyway.

Science - got the top mark in latest test in Set 1 so very pleased. But his teacher says his work book is a disgrace - messy and unfinished work .Same old same old.....

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Original poster
Ormirian · 04/02/2011 10:35

Thanks aries - I think he will agree to have a go at it - we had a chat last night.

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Original poster
Ormirian · 04/02/2011 10:36

Not heard a word about EBAC at our school.

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SnapFrakkleAndPop · 04/02/2011 10:41

German was v useful for music at A level and pretty essential during my degree if he plans to continue with that - particularly when it came to analysing vocal music - and I wish I'd had the space to take it at GCSE, but I didn't so I struggled with 3 years worth, a bit of self-teaching and a German grammar!

bitsyandbetty · 04/02/2011 12:15

Once you have learnt the basics of German, is is actually easier to progress in German because it follows the rules, unlike English. I am biased as I studied it but is perceive to be a good language and Germany is a very powerful country in Europe with many big companies based there.