GCSE choices (particularly MFL)

[OuiOuiMonAmi]

DS will be doing the usual English/Maths/Science and has also chosen History and Music.

I'm unsure about the rest of his choices though. He hates French and teacher said that he'd probably be doing foundation tier if he picked it, so it's not an ideal subject for him. But all you hear is that you should have an MFL if at all possible! He is very bright (but probably not Oxbridge material) and he has no idea what he wants to do in the future. Bearing all that in mind, do you think it's a real mistake for him not to take an MFL?

Other subject choices he's interested are Computer Science and Electronics. I'm not sure if those choices are too 'soft' (though I hate that term) - especially with him choosing music as well.

I want him to enjoy his GCSEs so I'm not suggesting he should have all 'serious' subjects - but equally I don't want him to reduce his uni chances.

I think a lot of other countries see MFLs as being of equal importance to other subjects. As indeed the Ebacc did. However it’s always the MFL that is dropped. We use every excuse in the world. Instead of learning from Spanish DC, we decide to run away from that resource. I absolutely agree that far higher status and value should be given to MFL learning.

I know that the number of native speakers skews results but it doesn’t outweigh the need to learn a MFL.

If MFL was taught better/more appropriately maybe it wouldn't be dropped so often or complained about when it's compulsory. The OPs Ds is unlikely to gain any sort of functional language skill, and afaik there's no cultural element either. It would be better to campaign to make it more fit for purpose before insisting kids spend their time on it. Of course it's difficult because there probably aren't many primary teachers with sufficient fluency.

@ErrolTheDragon

If MFL was taught better/more appropriately maybe it wouldn't be dropped so often or complained about when it's compulsory. The OPs Ds is unlikely to gain any sort of functional language skill, and afaik there's no cultural element either. It would be better to campaign to make it more fit for purpose before insisting kids spend their time on it. Of course it's difficult because there probably aren't many primary teachers with sufficient fluency.

Actually the new GCSE (which is much better than the old one) does include a cultural element, with a topic on festivals and celebrations and also a strong focus on how things are done in the country concerned. For example, a student learning German would be expected to know about the German school system, and how it differs from the English one (and be able to discus that in German).

I do agree with @MrsAvocet that the focus on cure GCSEs and more schools only offering 8/9 GCSEs is massively reducing numbers studying creative subjects. A very highly rated school local to me basically gives students one choice from PE, music, art, drama, tech, food tech, RE, a second humanity, computer science, health and social, business... so narrowing.

What do you mean by 'taught better' Errol? I also work really hard at introducing cultural elements into my lessons as it is so important. Still one of the main questions is why don't they do it like us. It is a shame that more parents don't see any value in MFL and still believe the myth that everyone speaks English. I wouldn't force any kids to do it at GCSE though. Do what they really enjoy.

@tadjennyp

What do you mean by 'taught better' Errol? I also work really hard at introducing cultural elements into my lessons as it is so important. Still one of the main questions is why don't they do it like us. It is a shame that more parents don't see any value in MFL and still believe the myth that everyone speaks English. I wouldn't force any kids to do it at GCSE though. Do what they really enjoy.

haha once I was doing a KS3 lesson in French on a French school timetable (quite different). One of the students said "They do French too miss!" I said yes, their French lessons are a bit like your English lessons". "Oh so do they speak French there, like we speak English here?"

yeeeeeesssss

Maybe it is getting better, and I'm sure there are (and always have been, regardless of curriculum constraints) excellent and inspiring teachers. There seems to be more still that could be learned from how languages are taught elsewhere though.

Haha Clary, yes every time! See also the question about why the whole world doesn't just speak the same language. Doubt it would be English!
Yes Errol, taking on good ideas from other countries would be nice. Again, we have a fine reputation for exceptionalism.

There’s some pretty tedious MFL teaching in other countries as well but bright pupils still put in the effort to do well.
Many DCs or at least their parents accept that for example music or dance or sport or maths take consistent practice and effort but seem to think that MFLs can be crammed in just for exams like many other subjects. Then when not surprisingly they get poor exam grades, they blame it on a lack of enjoyment or poor teaching.

I know that the number of native speakers skews results but it doesn’t outweigh the need to learn a MFL.

No but it does mean its far more difficult for non native speakers to get the higher grades and that makes the kids feel they're not good at the subject and it spirals downwards so that some kids then decide they want to drop the subject.

@HasaDigaEebowai

I know that the number of native speakers skews results but it doesn’t outweigh the need to learn a MFL.

No but it does mean its far more difficult for non native speakers to get the higher grades and that makes the kids feel they're not good at the subject and it spirals downwards so that some kids then decide they want to drop the subject.

That's a big issue at A level without doubt, but not really at GCSE, where the vast majority who take it are not native speakers (talking French and German and Spanish here rather than Polish or Urdu).

The boundaries for the highest grades are well within the reach of a non native speaker - 84% got you a 9 in German in 2019 and while that's not easy, it's perfectly possible for a bright student. The level of the language requirement in the exam is not so high that a mark of that level is impossible for any but a native speaker. Thank goodness. Different story at A level sadly, especially in a niche MFL like German. And of course it's self perpetuating.

Eng lit grade 9 in same year was 88%

It is a problem at A level and a very big one at university. We should be more rigorous about who can do what degrees and A levels. But schools just chase the grades. It is very difficult if you are good at MFL but have to compete at university with people who are half German (+ every opther language) and have teachers for parents! These students start at university knowing a lot and certainly do not have to work hard at acquiring the spoken or written language as others do. They only need to work at their essays and perfecting writing skills. They do have a much higher starting point which is clearly beneficial. Yes, it has put off very many decent students.