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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

German, Spanish or Latin?

49 replies

MEMsmum · 26/04/2007 13:49

My DD (12) has to choose her second language option tomorrow and we're a bit stuck on how to choose. I know this has come up before (2 years ago in April 05! Must be the time of year!! ) - but having read these old threads, just wondered if anyone could update on their DC's choices.

There's a possibility of a short-term sabbatical in South America so Spanish would be great. But she's quite keen on history so Latin could also be useful. But wouldn't German be handy too and from what I've read it's harder to pick up German later. On the other hand, what I'd really like her to learn is Italian as that's where her cousins live!

Choices, choices, choices - if only it was either or it would be so much easier! ... and don't get me started on kitchens!!

OP posts:

Anna8888 · 27/04/2007 15:11

Spanish.

I've done French, German, Italian, Spanish and Latin, of which French & Spanish to degree level and French way beyond (15 years in France). Learn a language you might use - use it or lose it definitely applies.

RTKangaMummy · 27/04/2007 15:36

DS is in year 7 and does French & Latin and he absolutely loves Latin

When he was doing a homework on the words in English (& probably other languages) that came from Latin most of our language comes from Latin or Greek iirc

MrsBadger · 27/04/2007 15:47

IME, German is the easiest, Latin the most interesting and Spanish the most useful.

Depends whether she wants to cruise to an A, do a subject for fun, or study something that will actually be useful in the future.

Califrau · 27/04/2007 16:49

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MrsBadger · 27/04/2007 16:53

hmm, I was 11 at the time and tbh found most thing easy... maybe it's harder when you're older
(I did say IME...)

Lilymaid · 27/04/2007 16:53

Spanish is much easier than German - I've never got my brain round the length of German sentences (especially where there are separable verbs) and agreement of adjectives. Spanish is phonetic and the grammar is far simpler.

Califrau · 27/04/2007 17:20

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MrsBadger · 27/04/2007 17:25

well am presuming you are older than 11...

Califrau · 27/04/2007 17:27

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Quootiepie · 27/04/2007 17:29

Latin is great forms a better understanding of a lot of different languages, and it is quite close to Italian. From learning Latin I did better in english, and even in different languages you can see similarities.

Ellbell · 27/04/2007 17:30

Italian!

(But then, I would say that!)

Otherwise, tbh, any language learnt at your dd's age will help her to pick up any other later on (even if there is no obvious relationship between them; e.g. I did German A'level and then dropped it and did Italian from scratch at University... the German was still useful). The main thing is to keep her interest up in learning a language in the first place and it doesn't really matter which one (unless it's Italian of course ).

Ellbell · 27/04/2007 17:30

Italian!

(But then, I would say that!)

MrsBadger · 27/04/2007 17:30

[outs Califrau not as hairy-handed trucker but as bored miniature genius who's hacked his primary-school PC in order to MN...]

Ellbell · 27/04/2007 17:31

Oops! Sorry! Pardon! Entschuldigung! Scusate!

foxinsocks · 27/04/2007 17:33

I did Latin and ancient Greek at school and absolutely, completely, totally loved it - Far far more than modern languages.

I think I'd be guided by her - I think it's a certain sort of person that finds the ancient languages interesting and if she has that sort of passion for them, then Latin would be a great choice.

If, on the otherhand, she has a flair for modern languages and seems interested in learning them and wanting to speak them, then I'd go for Spanish.

Califrau · 27/04/2007 17:35

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MrsWobble · 27/04/2007 17:46

what does your daughter want to do?

when I was at school and had a choice I made my decision based on the teacher - we had a lovely Russian teacher and a horrible German teacher. I don't think it's a silly way to choose as I know I worked harder for the teachers I liked better.

Ellbell · 27/04/2007 17:49

dolet mihi!

Califrau · 27/04/2007 17:58

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Hallgerda · 27/04/2007 20:58

MrsWobble and clerkKent, when I was doing my PhD I was surrounded by research students who'd found that their research had been done already by an unknown Russian, writing in his or her own language, so I felt the need to learn. Having done Latin was definitely an advantage.

And it helps with the Linnean classification, particularly with seeing the funny side...

I agree with others that it should really be your daughter's choice, MEMsmum.

Original poster

MEMsmum · 27/04/2007 21:08

And how did my darling DD choose .. she chose Spanish mainly because it's what her friends are doing! Sigh! her official reasons were that she thought Spanish would be more useful if we did go to South America and that hopefully it'd help her with Italian - have my doubts though .

Everyone's comments really helped - we had a chat (during House, so obviously giving it our full attention !) and then again over breakfast. We always intended to let her make her own choice - after all, she's the one that's going to be doing the studying. In the end, she might not have much choice anyway - sounds like Spanish was really over subscribed and the school is limited to 4 classes of each language, and they "are afraid that a small group of students chosen at random will not be able to study their preferred language."

Thanks again

OP posts:

Londonmamma · 27/04/2007 21:14

Good choice! Clever girl.

PavlovtheCat · 28/04/2007 00:09

Great choice! She wont regret it and to be honest if its what her friends are doing she will enjoy it more

Good luck for her...

Califrau · 28/04/2007 00:24

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