MFL teachers - Extra French/extra sport

[Happydaysandhappysmiles]

Hi
Big debate here about whether to do extra French/extra sport as they clash. Now that everyone does French at primary I am worried that they are not getting enough at school and would benefit from an extra 30 mins group session per week (not a school club) but the child (year 4) is struggling to decide whether to stick with the sport (not the only sport they do) or do French. Can’t go back to the sport if we quit as spaces are very sought after, ditto with French (after half term is the last chance to join until September). Any thoughts. Part of me thinks sport (but they have talked about stopping and then wanting to carry on etc) and part of me thinks that they are sponges and now is the time to get going with French. Thanks

I think secondaries still assume no one's learnt any French and start from scratch in Y7. Not all primaries teach French - the requirement is an MFL, not French specifically. I work in a primary school which teaches Spanish.

Sport, I would say. There won't be much gained in another 30mins of French, especially if not aligned with what is being taught in school, and Secondary may not teach it anyway - both mine did Spanish from year 7.

For what purpose do you want them to learn French? I spoke pretty good French - certainly considerably better than most British people, probably first year of degree level - but have forgotten about 50% of it as an adult. It's useful once a year when I go on holiday to France, but many people don't holiday there! I'd go with sport every time.

Thank you, I think really from the point of view that I think it is good to learn another language and the school does French and this extra option was recommended by friends. We intend to holiday a bit in France too. We aren’t the stage of looking at secondaries yet but could be selective state or independent so wouldn’t want any disadvantage starting in year 7 given that there will be so many other new things. I know this particular sport has an end date for him and thought it had come a while ago but the child had a change of heart and still changes a bit with the wind. Whichever option we go for though will have to stick until next September I think.