GCSE choices advice needed

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So DS2 is making his choices, he is bright, a/b student in most subjects.

He is thinking of doing history, geography, French and Spanish.

His DT teacher is very keen for him to do DT.

We don't know if two languages will be too much, he only started doing Spanish last January (school move) but seems to enjoy it.

He is mainly maths/ science focused.

Do you think his choices are a bit narrow, or a good option?

I would be wary of choosing Spanish in your son's case simply because by the time the GCSEs start the others will presumably have been studying it a lot longer.

If he likes DT, I would go with that although I would find out how much course work is involved as that may be a factor in his choice.

maths / science and DT tend to go well together in particular if he wants to consider engineering related careers in the future. Does he have anything in mind yet?

Leeds2 - well so far he seems to be doing fine in his spanish class, he gets good marks (a/b) and his teacher said he thought he should do it at GCSE. His school has compulsory french and spanish from year 7, but although he only started doing it last January I don't think he is behind, he likes french more though and has been doing that since primary school.

My concern about DT is my older child is doing it and has fallen behind on the written side, he is quite arty but has struggled with it a bit. DS2 really is not arty and I'm worried that he may also find it hard and it will take up a lot of time . Languages seem to be less work (if you are good at them).

I think he will look to do something maths/science based I don't think he would be interested in engineering.

I'm worried though that all his choices are a bit serious and will not give him any break from writing/essays.

I did arts so have no real experience of his choice of subjects

Many years ago (so long ago that it was O levels, not GCSEs) I did all "serious" subjects for O level because they happened to be my thing and I actually found "serious" subjects easier than anything art/design/PE related. If your DS prefers the subjects he has chosen, I wouldn't worry about him picking subjects that don't "give him a break". What I don't know is whether these days universities expect to see a broader range of subjects at GCSE or whether it's still fine to have done all "traditional" subjects from that point of view.

If he is science/math oriented then DT is a better choice than languages* (sorry). I am thinking about engineering and some science is very practical (making and building real things).

*Unless one of the languages is German! Still the engineering language of Europe, I'm told.

Languages are not essay based at GCSE. If your DS is good at languages, he should do them as they leave options open later because he could opt for study abroad at University. He will have to learn the grammar but essays are not required until degree level, in English or target language. I do not think Geography is not essays either. By doing maths and sciences, but not DT, he will not be closing any doors for later although DT has its uses for some careers. I would therefore leave the DT. My DD had every single teacher saying she should do her subject at GCSE. They naturally want the better students doing their subjects.

What MillyMollyMandy said