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Original poster

How important do you think having a MFL at GCSE is?

61 replies

AbbyGal · 28/04/2023 17:22

DS is revising hard for his GCSEs and all the moaning is about his French. He got a 6 in the mock so he's doing ok but he insists it's REALLY hard and 'none of his mates are doing a language'

We did persuade him to continue with French as it was always seen as really positive back in our day but I'm wondering if that is still the case today?

OP posts:
JaninaDuszejko · 28/04/2023 17:28

At my DDs school everyone but the lowest achievers have to do a MFL and it's part of the so called 'English Baccalaureate'.

When I was young a language at O grade (I'm Scottish) was essential to get to University. I found it hard as well (at 16 I'd never met anyone who didn't have English as a first language which didn't help) but I do think a language is important to study.

balzamico · 28/04/2023 17:38

If he's aiming for a high ranking uni it's advisable to have an mfl.
We were told that they don't state it on entry requirements but do look favourably on candidates with it.

Original poster
AbbyGal · 28/04/2023 18:40

balzamico · 28/04/2023 17:38

If he's aiming for a high ranking uni it's advisable to have an mfl.
We were told that they don't state it on entry requirements but do look favourably on candidates with it.

That was certainly the case hundreds of years ago when I did my O'Levels so I'm glad I can back up my case to DS!

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 28/04/2023 18:45

DD was strongly encouraged to do French GCSE to support later uni applications. Thankfully, she loves it.

What in particular is he struggling with? We might be able to suggest something.

AutisticLegoLover · 28/04/2023 18:52

It's very important to be able to discuss the contents of your pencil case in French apparently. Dd is doing the higher paper this year (she's in year 9) and this is one of the things she has learnt. We learnt directions to places like the library, post office, train station, how to order food at a café, and talked about our family.

SauvignonBlanche · 28/04/2023 19:03

It’s generally seen as favourable but not strictly necessary.

DS was excused as his ASD made it almost impossible for him, he still got good Uni offers,

aureus3012 · 28/04/2023 19:56

I did French (A*) German (A) and Latin (B) GCSE....they have been of little use to me. I didn't want to do A level because I hated English Literature and didn't want to subject myself to studying French literature. I think I would have been more enthusiastic about Spanish for holiday purposes!

Skybluepinky · 28/04/2023 19:57

Unis use to want it, now they don’t unless of course u want to do languages at uni.

CurlewKate · 28/04/2023 20:22

I think Imperial used to insist on a language, but I don't think any universities do any more. And they can't have secret admission requirements-particularly ones that work against kids at schools with a more limited curriculum.

leccybill · 28/04/2023 20:29

It's not particularly harder than other subjects, it's just harder to revise for. Past papers is the way, looking up everything you don't know when you're practising Listening and Reading. Your Writing and Speaking answers can double up.
Know your tenses, a decent range of vocab, opinions and a few wow structures sprinkled in.

HundredMilesAnHour · 28/04/2023 20:51

I think it's important to learn another language. My friends from school who dropped languages all say as adults that they regret that decision and wish their parents had stopped them dropping it. Most of them didn't go to uni. Which they also seem to regret.

It also depends on what career he might want to go into. I work in Financial Services in the City and it's quite unusual for people to only speak one language. It's a very international culture. MFL isn't something we hire for but it quickly becomes apparent what a difference MFL can make.

clary · 28/04/2023 22:54

No uni cares about an MFL whatever PPs say.

The ebacc is just a measure the govt uses for schools, serves no purpose for students as such (tho of course a broad range of choices is good).

Still he's doing it now so that is neither here not there tbh. MFL is my subject op - where is he struggling and which board? If I can help I will.

clary · 28/04/2023 22:58

It's very important to be able to discuss the contents of your pencil case in French apparently

Thankfully I can confirm that this is not the case! Topics are more along the lines of family and marriage, charity, homelessness, uni and future plans, environment and holidays. But I imagine if your ds is in Yr 11 he knows that op.

It was UCL that asked for an MFL but they have dropped that now.

RampantIvy · 28/04/2023 23:07

If he's aiming for a high ranking uni it's advisable to have an mfl.

DD was strongly encouraged to do French GCSE to support later uni applications.

This is absolutely not true any more.

IMO we are terrible at MFL in the UK, and they should be encouraged, but MFL is undersubscribed at universities these days and entry grades are much lower then they are for other more competitive subjects.

Smashinglady · 28/04/2023 23:13

MFL doesn’t impact Uni applications any longer - there’s no reason to pick a mfl apart from schools wanting their ebacc numbers up for the stats.

NewNovember · 28/04/2023 23:14

balzamico · 28/04/2023 17:38

If he's aiming for a high ranking uni it's advisable to have an mfl.
We were told that they don't state it on entry requirements but do look favourably on candidates with it.

No that's a myth uni's are not interested at all.

HundredMilesAnHour · 28/04/2023 23:16

Smashinglady · 28/04/2023 23:13

MFL doesn’t impact Uni applications any longer - there’s no reason to pick a mfl apart from schools wanting their ebacc numbers up for the stats.

And foreign languages actually being useful in the real world!!

howrudeforme · 28/04/2023 23:20

Yes but a GCSE level mfl is very unlikely to get your kids speaking the language to any decent level of they don’t continue it. Tick box exercise.

my ds did Spanish, did well and has now forgotten everything less than a year on. No idea how universities view mfl gcse.

Falifornia · 28/04/2023 23:23

DD graduated with a 1st in a Humanities subject from Exeter last year. Not an MFL to her name; she's a bright lass but royally shit at languages and it would have been a total waste of a GCSE. The absence of an MFL didn't seem to compromise her Uni choices.

Smashinglady · 28/04/2023 23:28

HundredMilesAnHour · 28/04/2023 23:16

And foreign languages actually being useful in the real world!!

Show quote history

That was not the question though.

HundredMilesAnHour · 28/04/2023 23:33

Smashinglady · 28/04/2023 23:28

That was not the question though.

Show quote history

That was in response to you saying there was no reason to pick a language. There absolutely is. Especially as I assume the OP's DC is actually wanting to have a career after uni. There's a bigger picture to consider as part of uni entry.

Mylittlebirdie02 · 28/04/2023 23:36

I guess it depends on his career prospects, though I feel there's a lot of pressure placed on teens to have decided this also.
No MFL GCSE here. In fact I randomly chose history, geography and textiles (and actually failed history!)
I'm now 30 with a first class honours psychology degree, and a first class honours counselling and psychotherapy MSc.

Yolo12345 · 28/04/2023 23:40

It's 100% unimportant to have it at GCSE but it's 100% important to have an inkling at the very least of any other language for, you know, life, travelling,,meeting people, chatting up girls, impressing girls, confidence building, self-esteem etc etc

I have always said if we campaign to get girls into STEM, we should equally campaign to get boys into French. It would defo make the world a better place.

WomanFromTheNorth · 28/04/2023 23:45

I taught MFL until recently; it's not important unless you want to study languages. Languages are statistically hardest GCSES so they are well-considered, but they are not necessary for uni. The E- bacc is dead in the water- another of Gove's daft ideas.

WomanFromTheNorth · 28/04/2023 23:46

Yolo12345 · 28/04/2023 23:40

It's 100% unimportant to have it at GCSE but it's 100% important to have an inkling at the very least of any other language for, you know, life, travelling,,meeting people, chatting up girls, impressing girls, confidence building, self-esteem etc etc

I have always said if we campaign to get girls into STEM, we should equally campaign to get boys into French. It would defo make the world a better place.

Yes I agree with this. For life enrichment, languages matter. But not for uni per se.