Ds in year 11 and considering dropping Spanish. Yay/ nay in his position(10 other GCSEs) and do unis insist on a language? *edited by MNHQ*

[Bl00mingCactus]

Ds 16 has had a hideous couple of years, won’t list it all as it’s a thread in itself but bullying and grief were involved and he’s now wrestling with anxiety, self hatred and very low. Just about to start counselling. He is doing maths, further maths, computer science, triple science, history, Re, Eng lit and Eng Lang.

The year 10 exam results weren’t great as he wasn’t in a good place to revise. 8s in the maths subjects but nowhere where he should be for everything else(8/9swhere he should be aiming).Eng really not good and now a concern as very necessary.

School suggested dropping Spanish but we weren’t keen as felt it was a bit unfair. Had time to reflect. Just had a wobble (after a recent crash which he’s now coming out of )re revising for mocks as there is so much and he kind of messed up covering everything in the way he was revising. Also due to the recent crash started proper revision late and struggled to focus.

Anyway he simply hasn’t been able to do any Spanish and mocks have started. Spanish teacher suggested switching to Foundation which we rejected as doesn’t seem worth all the work. Now thinking the initial idea of dropping it completely might be a good idea as it would clear a huge work load and he could focus more and really bring up his grades in everything else.

No longer fussed about 8/9s for everything as just want him happy.Thinks 6s would be pretty doable on very little revision but 7s with decent revision attainable.

Doesn’t need a Lang for 6th form but will get that in writing. Would prob do maths, economics or computer science at uni and would like to study ideally in London.

So yay/ nay to dropping? Would it be a big mistake and have an impact on later life choices?

Drop it if it is causing trauma. Unless they want to study languages, an mfl is not essential. I've already told my daughter (who is dyslexic and struggles with English spelling etc) that if she finds it too much I will support her and not let her be entered for it. Life is too short. She'll have plenty of other qualifications. EBACC is a load of nonsense, and only pushed by schools to bag places in league tables.

Does he need Spanish? If not, and he has the chance to drop it, go for it. If not, just do the lessons but don't do extra revision. My DD adopted this approach to RPE which she hated but was unable to drop. She did lessons and homework but nothing more and knew there was no pressure. She still got a 5 which is a C. Is never going to think about it again. My other DD did Latin, French & Spanish, got A's and is at uni studying nothing to do with languages. He needs to study what he enjoys and does he need 10 GCSE's to get into 6th Form? No

"He can do a Spanish GCSE alongside his A levels"

Why?
Most schools don't offer GCSEs at 6th form.

Lots of sixth forms allow this, depends on the establishment. Just ask.

And as for "why?" - because languages are deeply enriching and the OP seemed to indicate that he enjoyed it, so the point being that there are further opportunities to pursue a qualification in the subject if he wishes to do so.

@Bl00mingCactus I'm a teacher. Drop the language. His university will look at the other subjects ahead of this so it's important he gives as much consideration to them as he can.

I just want to add, extenuating circumstances are given high consideration in most colleges and universities. If his academic record shows persistent academic achievement before now, he won't have anything to worry about if he tries his best. X

Alright so, I shouldn’t really have an account in here (I’m in year 12 and don’t want kids for a long time) but I saw this post about GCSE’s and thought it might be best to get advice from someone who genuinely knows what GGSE’s are like for our age (no offence to all the mums out there I have major respect for you all). You can decide whether to listen to me or not... I got 8 in maths and 7’s in practically everything else apart from 1 6. And I had a 7 in french.

I have got to say, having a qualification in a foreign language is majorly respected in certain areas, however it isn’t essential at the same time. Maths and English need to be priority at all times as well as maybe science...

But GCSE’s, yes there’s a tonne of work, yes there’s a tonne of revision and yes, there’s a lot of exams for sure. But from someone who looks back at GCSE’s that I literally on took 5 months ago, I can say that it is nothing compare to sixth form. In sixth form there is a lot more work for just three or four subjects and in a way it makes GCSE’s look like how SATs from year 6 would look to a year 11. I know this may sound like I’m just talking a load of rubbish but hear me out...

You don’t need straight 8/9’s to get anywhere. You just need 5/6’s to get into the right sixth forms or colleges and in about two years 9’ will literally mean nothing. Trust me on that. However aiming for 6/7/8’s are reasonable because that’s what I did and achieved. Maths is essential to pass and do well in if that’s what he wants to peruse (I’m in the same boat as I want to be an accountant) but at the same time if he’s natural at maths there’s not really much revision needed. Just the formulas and some basic rules and that’s all there is to it really. English is the same, for language you just need the basic knowledge of knowing the format of letters newspaper articles, etc for paper 2 and knowing how to write a good description or story for paper 1. Science does require a lot of revision however, so that should be more a focus on revision. RS is pretty much irrelevant in this day and age so to just pass to say there’s an extra GCSE is good enough. History is quite full with content, so that may require a lot of revision too. But don’t make him do too mu revision as too much just tired your brain. Experts recommend about 3 hours a week until the month or two before then move it up to 5/6...

But as for Spanish. Languages in a way are quite easy in GCSE but a top grade does not matter and he will still be respected with a grade 5 because it shows some knowledge as a pass. And that’s all that he needs. Foundation is just a more easier paper for people who aren’t as confident to have a better chance to passing but at the same time it is easy to get a 5 in higher too with basic knowledge. If he knows how to format one sort of present, past and future tense, then that’s a guaranteed 5, maybe 6. It doesn’t require much revision either. Some knowledge of basic vocabulary (recommend CGP Revision books for this) and the basic tenses and he will probably pass. I would say no to dropping the subject and I would still aim for higher. If he does minimal revision for Spanish and managed to get a 5/6 in the mock then it shows that it was worth it.
Overall, I woukd say stick to higher, wait until mock results come through then go from there. If he gets a U in Spanish higher then move him down to foundation and he can have a chance to get a 4 or a 5, either is a pass so is still respected. But at the end of the day, I’d he does it and fails, he still tried and it eliminates the thought of would if he took it and passed. So I’d say take it, don’t stress to much on it just do a few hours or revision and try his best, if he passes then it’s an extra GCSE, but don’t drop it, it’s just a waste of two years.

I hope this helped, however I am only 16 so you may think that this is all rubbish. Good luck to your son though, wish him the best

Ceh2134 what a thoughtful and considered post.
You will go far!

That is indeed a nice post - but you did miss English Lit off your post, which is revision heavy. And RS isn't irrelevant . Discussions about ethics couldn't be MORE relevant, I think. The issue with RS is that many schools enter all students on the basis of two or do hours teaching a fortnight : and it is still content heavy. That's why I suggested t go. If your DS chose it as an option OP, that's rather different.

Thank you Ceh it is really helpful to hear about the experience from the other side. Now in a quandary though, had all but made up my (DS not being the most helpful either way as regards a decision) to ditch.

He is doing RE because they had to. Think the loathing is equal to Spanish but think Spanish pips RE to the post if he had to choose. He messed up the speaking mock which hasn’t helped.Hadn’t revised as in the midst of a wobble. I suspect it will bring the mark down lower than the year 10 exam.

Mocks start today. 😩

At what stage do teachers/pupils decide to be entered into foundation or higher papers?

B100 definitely ditch the Spanish. He may say that it won't help his mental health but less pressure will ease things a little even if he thinks it won't. RS is compulsory in Ds's year too. I would have liked him to go down to 9 gcses but he seems to be managing the 10 at the moment so school probably would not agree. They do know exactly how he is feeling though as he wrote it down and shared it with them a few weeks ago as he couldn't tell anyone.

Good luck to him today for the start of mocks.

Good Luck OP for you!

Yes, I know RS can be extremely important in life and incertain situations, but for a person who wants to do something with accounts or mathematics, it is not really essential and some jobs in that department (like accountancy or tax audits) sometimes like a person has even attempted a language as it shows that they are always willing to try different things and perhaps even have minor conversation with foreign partners. English Lit, it is not really that revision heavy. I know people who got 9’s in that and yes I only got a 6, but all you need really are a few quotes which you can learn by listening to songs that are usually on YouTube because they stay in your head and the themes techniques, etc... but a lot of the time the knowledge for English lit comes to you while you’re sitting the paper. Sorry if I offended you in any way...

But from personal experience. Choosing a language is one of the best things I think I have ever done. And I had the option to drop geograohy because I was getting 2’s and even 3’s as I struggled in that class as I missed a lot of the lessons as it clashed with a police investigation I was in. But I scarped through and still got a 6, it may not be a 7 or above, but it’s a GCSE I can say I passed

Teachers usually make their mind up at the start of year 11, but the parents can have a say on if it should get changed, and they have until about a month before to make a final decision.