German or Spanish based on English set - which is seen as 'harder'?

[CambridgeBlue]

At DD's school they study either German or Spanish in addition to French based on how good they are at English - so those in the higher English set would do one and those in the lower English set the other. Obviously they don't tell you which option refers to which but I thought it'd be easy to work out.

However DD has been given Spanish which people are saying is the 'softer' option despite her having always done really well at English and I'd really like to know if this is right.

I'm genuinely not being a pushy parent but English is something she's always been good at and if she's not doing so well now I'd like to know why. She'll be picking her options next year (we're 3 tier here hence her changing schools in September) and it feels like a really important time so if there's anything we can do to help I'd like to try.

Hi

Sorry to jump in, but can I just say how incredibly lucky you are to be able to study two languages at your school? I am very envious!!

We are in a so called 'academy school' in Hampshire (Alton) (unfortunately) and we've just found out, that there is no choice for even your FIRST language. This is simply the one allocated to your tutor set.

This, despite the previous Head's assurance they would do BOTH French and German in year one - six months on each - and then choose. Which we thought was brilliant. Clearly so brilliant it wasn't possible. Or perhaps the new MFL Head (who is German) has an agenda to force at least 3 tutor groups to study her language (the other four get French). Feels like she's trying to justify her job rather. Sorry, did I say that out loud? I know I sound sourpuss but I honestly feel sourpuss! Apologies.

So my dd now will never be able to study French! Never!! She's stuck with her first and only language option being decided in Year 7 by a school administration team; German.

Next joy is that any chance of a second language is thwarted as they have been told to do it after school in 'after school club' - which is one hour a week. Sorry but we all know this is an utter joke, as languages do need to carry about 3 hours a week if you want to at least try for the GCSE. Oh and French is not on option either - only (you guessed it!!!! ) - German or Spanish.

So sorry to moan on but I'm really so upset by this - I'd hoped my dd would have the opportunity to do French and then possibly Spanish also (if she wanted to clearly)..which she did.

I honestly feel like moving schools I really do. So to get bac to the OP I'd be really happy if they were a) at least doing French and b) at least given another language option in the school day!!!

Enjoy!! Sorry!!!
x

Sorry to hear that, I really thought most schools offered more choice of languages. Puts my 'problems' into perspective though!