School have suggested DD take NVQ French not GCSE

[NigellasGuest]

I have been waiting to hear back from them, having asked for DD to be permitted to drop a MFL for GCSE due to learning difficulty. (another thread a week or so ago). The latest is they are saying she can do NVQ instead.

Does anyone have any experience of NVQ, and does this sound like a good compromise? Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

[mummytime]

My ds is doing NVQ German, as qualification it isn't highly recognised. We joke that it is German by google translate, so if she could do GCSE I wouldn't recommend it. However, it isn't too arduous, they can keep re doing modules until they pass, and if they get level 1 they can then go onto level 2. You also get lots of nice certificates.
My son does no work on it outside class. The only reason not to do it, is if that time could be used for something else, and not just private study, which can be wasted time at that age.

[crazymum53]

An NVQ level 2 is equivalent to a grade C GCSE pass. The difference between NVQ and GCSE is in the type of assessment, NVQs tend to be more practical and relevant to everyday life and don't have formal exams.

[mummytime]

The problem is who actually accepts an NVQ? E.g. I don't believe UCL does.

[Kez100]

It sounds a great way to keep an access to languages for those that wouldn't stand a chance at a Grade C at GCSE. My son - who is Dyslexic - loves languages but isn't very good at them and would never be able to do the rote learning required, without getting extremely frustrated. Our school don't offer a NVQ, I wish they did.

Mummy time, these qualifications are aimed at children (or should be) who wouldn't get the C anyway. So, if there is a Uni that needs a language and doesn't accept NVQ, fine, these children wouldn't be in line to apply there anyway. I'd say, this qualification has its place for some children. My son would be one! As it happens we now are having to get a tutor for him to continue Spanish informally until he gets to sixth form college where they do offer study options (without exams) for languages, which is what he wants.

[NigellasGuest]

Yes Kez - my DD wouldn't stand a chance at a MFL GCSE. I had wanted her to drop it altogether but the school have come back and suggested NVQ.

My DD is aiming for a career in creative/media sort of areas - not sure if she will apply for Uni even. So I'm hoping won't really need a MFL GCSE...

[mummytime]

My son does the NVQ as I said, but some of the language used to push the qualification by his school is misleading. I accepted him doing it as the previous 3 years of language teaching had totally demotivated him, otherwise he might have been able to get a GCSE.
I think the issue is that some teachers don't realise that he is quite gifted in other subjects. For some of them it is a shock that we expect him to go to University, he is dyslexic too.
The NVQ is good for most pupils who would otherwise drop a language.

[NigellasGuest]

mummytime what other subjects is he quite gifted in? My DD also dyslexic, but is talented in dance, drama, p.e., etc. and good at English. Working really hard in maths and science.

It's just the languages issue - I did want her to drop languages altogether as I was worried that it would demotivate her and have an adverse affect on her other subjects. If we don't accept the NVQ course she will be shoved into a GCSE class and will just flounder. Once that starts happening she can become disruptive which is not great for the class as a whole.

[mummytime]

Maths and Science. I wouldn't want a child like my DS or it sounds like your Dd to have "free" time, as they might struggle to re-engage in their other subjects. NVQ is a good compromise.