Which language option to go with French/Latin?

[elevendollarbills]

Interested in any parents' experiences or teacher views. DS is currently doing French and Latin in Y7, needs to add another language for Y8 out of German, Spanish, Russian and Mandarin, and he can't decide which to choose. He's an able linguist, though more interested in the academic side of language learning than the communication side. I doubt whether languages will ultimately be his 'thing', but he really enjoys them at the moment, particularly Latin. Any views on what would be the best fit, any considerations to bear in mind?

They do indeed....and Arabic ones too.....

I'm not sure a career as a spy beckons; adventure is not his middle name...

How disappointing !

I interviewed for a different branch of intelligence services which would have required using my languages. Adventurous natures were definitely not required.... Strict attention to detail was... Wasn't for me but could have been interesting for the right sort of person....

The great thing about keeping a MFL or two going to A level is that it keeps options wider at university. As MFL grads are a reducing breed, offers can be good too! A*s not needed.

So I don’t think it matters what he does. I would be less inclined to do the Mandarin but think a bit more widely around the likes and interests in the culture. What does he like about the country? Any authors that interest him? Or art or music? Then go with that.

DD chose Italian as her second MFL because she liked Italian Renaissance art. Plus the food!

Well, he hasn't shown much interest in Tolstoy yet, but he does like Kraftwerk