Which would be the more useful GCSE language - French or German ?

[NorbertDentressangle]

DD will be choosing her options over the next few weeks. She will need to choose French or German (or possibly both).

She gets on OK with both (better than I ever did!) and doesn't really have a preference.

Would you say one is more useful than the other?

DS1 chose German as he preferred it and thought it would be more useful in the future.

DS1 did German. DS2 did French.

So am I no help whatsoever!

Neither want to do anything to do with languages so chose the one they were best at.

Personally I found German loads easier than French.

But would really like to be able to speak French, and admire people who can.

I think your DD should go for which language had the better teacher, or which language gets the better results.

In my life German would have been much more useful. I meet many more Germans travelling outside their own country, too. I was in Berlin last month & lots of people didn't speak any English.

French (because it is an official language of the UN, whereas German is not).

To be honest, it would probably be most 'useful' to take French, because it's more of a stepping stone to languages such as Spanish or Italian later on, and because it's more widely spoken as a second language in North Africa, for instance.

German is really only spoken in three countries, a total of around 100 million people, but relatively little usage beyond that. However, it's really good as a stepping stone for Dutch, Danish and Swedish - as well as any language with a well defined case structure such as Slavic languages.

German might be good if your DD is thinking of going into heavy industry, production or engineering, as there are more German multinationals in that sphere.

To be honest, the best option would be to take both, and then she's covered for two major language groups and can be understood through much of the EU (well, in theory at least).

Well I have a friend who has a degree in German and Business but in his first graduate job they have asked him to learn French. I would say take both subjects but if only one is possible, then French would put her in good stead.

I did Spanish and French at GCSE. I can no longer speak either or remember any of it.

I have a degree in German but also had lessons in French paid for by my work to polish up my french which was rusty Alevel standard.
I have used both in business. Over the years I have used my german more.

French is sounding the better option so far I think.

Career wise the language choice isn't important at all as she's going down the health care professional route.

DS is doing German as he is hoping to study Engineering in Germany. Better job prospects (and pay) there too.

German

If your DD has no preference then I agree with LondonBus: "go for which language had the better teacher, or which language gets the better results."

I have both at A level and did French as part of my degree.

I'd say just pick whichever dc prefers, I had a passion for French and love the language and the country. I worked in France and my French is still pretty good. I have never really used my german after school, and despite having an A grade A level, I am so rusty that yr8 DS's german homework can be a challenge! Perhaps if I concentrated it'd come back?!

She must prefer one to the other. Don't believe otherwise. Or is it she's meh about both?

I did French and German but have found French more useful (mainly for holidays though). I did have to visit Frankfurt regularly with work but found my o' level German wasn't really up to the job. They all spoke English anyway (luckily) as English is the language of business.

The more useful choice would be the one she's likely to get a better grade in! Useful in terms of actually being able to communicate effectively doesn't really come into it at GCSE, unfortunately.

Trouble with German is that they all speak English brilliantly and it can be hard to actually practise. I used to work for a part-German and could never get past the opening greeting by phone or email before they responded in English.

I love German, but I'd go for French.

How does your DD view the world? This is a sweeping statement but - generally speaking - German suits analytical minds while more creative people opt for French.

If she's doing medicine then French would be a good option to facilitate interesting overseas electives.

What is the benefit of a French overseas elective in medicine to that of a German one?

I guess French is spoken more widely worldwide...

Both! I must admit, I liked German but found it hard to love speaking or reading it as much as French. I've found learning the grammar a useful background for other languages.

Having two language GCSEs and at least one at A-level can be impressive to employers though, as long as it doesn't cut out any other valuable options like sciences.