Language GCSE

[tootiredtobeinspired]

My DD is coming to the point where she needs to choose her GCSE options. She is not sure if she wants to continue with Spanish or if she should drop it altogether (which will mean she will not have a modern language GCSE at all) to make room for other subjects.
Do you think it's important to study a language? She has no interest in taking languages at A level or above so it would only be GCSE. Do universities expect students to have a modern language GCSE? She is a very capable student so will potentially be looking to take the academic road and go to a good university eventually. Thanks.

It won’t close doors by dropping it, but it will certainly keep the full range of doors open. It is a tough GCSE and is supposedly favoured by admissions tutors at uni - very clear evidence of bog standard rote learning and an ability to manipulate that learning to answer often tricky questions. Whilst it’s not exactly stand out from the crowd stuff, it is a positive when it is there. If there is a chance she will want to pursue something popular and oversubscribed (medicine, psychology, English, vet science….)and she is aiming for Red Brick, I would opt for the language over ICT. If she is less aspirational and having a good number of passes is all that really matters, opt for ICT.

Thanks @TizerorFizz 😀

Did you mean ICT or computer science? Two very different GCSEs. The latter is highly respected as an academic GCSE.

@Walkaround

Did you mean ICT or computer science? Two very different GCSEs. The latter is highly respected as an academic GCSE.

ICT is no longer available in state school, I'm not sure if it is available at all.

She does not need a language. Two of mine were made to make a language to make them a more rounded student, bollocks, it wasn’t needed for Uni and it was a waste of a GCSE.

My eldest chose History and geography alongside music [could not fit in computer science which he also wanted to do and dropped language happily]. He is able.
I think it a shame to an extent but he loved the 3 subjects he chose.

I disagree with a previous poster saying music is a waste of time. He dicovered a flair for composition which music gcse gave him the opportunity to develop.

@sashh - it’s the OP who said it was ICT. Also other posters were saying universities don’t take it seriously. Seemed logical, therefore, to ask the OP to clarify what she actually meant, as universities take computer science very seriously! There are also alternative qualifications in, eg, creative imedia, for example, so it’s not even 100% clear if it’s a GCSE she is talking about, given the fact she called it ICT.

Computer Science is a tough and well regarded GCSE. I don't know if ICT even still exists any more. Creative media is unlikely to be as well regarded as either a MFL or Computer Science.

It sounds as if your school doesn't allow students to take a lot of GCSEs, which is understandable but not great for high achievers. My DD2 did the usual Maths, English lang and lit, triple Science, French, History, Geography and chose Drama for a creative option, so 10 in total. If a school only allows 8 or 9, that does limit the available options.

Thanks all, just to clarify I think its computer science and not ICT (that's my old person confusion ). I think she probably would be less interested in computer science (thanks to those who clarified the difference), lots to think about! I think my worry is that if she does relatively 'heavy' subjects and keeps on with Spanish (which she says she doesn't enjoy) it might all be a bit much? It's the balance between taking GCSEs she can enjoy and achieve well in, while keeping a good spread of subjects that keep her options open.

My DDs had to do the maths, science double or triple, English x 2, a humanity, a MFL, an Art plus one more. So another MFL, PE, RE etc was added to make 9 or 10. No specialisms within the basic 8. Strengths were accommodated with the additional choices. That provides for a broad education and all options are open.

Just to counter a pp who said ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ regarding language. I hardly ever used French after school, but went on holiday there a few years ago and was amazed at the repository of vocabulary i was able to access after a few drinks!

Not likely to become immersed in a world where chemical formulae suddenly have a great deal of currency, but i’m glad i took French.

OP, i imagine your dd will find it ‘all a bit much’ regardless of what subjects she takes. That’s the nature of GCSE’S (parent of a yr 11&12 speaking)

Our school insists they do a mfl. Yes it's good to have a range, but if they really don't like it and have no interest in it, why force them, is my feeling.

I thought that about maths! And all sciences. Except a decent education does require students to do things they might not be interested in.

History or geography also make up a decent education. It doesn't have to be a language.

@Hullbilly - except she is already doing both history and geography and can do Spanish too if she chooses to, so your point in this context is a bit pointless, as history, geography and Spanish is more of an education than just history and geography .

My point is, if it's a none essential subject, it's better to do one they enjoy. That way they do better in it. I'm allowed to have an opinion; yours isn't the only one

I didn’t express an opinion, just pointed out yours had flaws!

I don't agree with you.

My daughter was made to give up languages as she was flagging in English and Maths so they gave her extra lessons of these two core subjects instead. It was a waste of time because I still ended up paying for a Maths tutor anyway.

At the time, she wanted to give up languages but now she regrets it and is looking for ways to learn Spanish

MFL shouldn’t be non essential any more then all 3 sciences are considered non essential. We have an obsession with DC enjoying everything and succeeding at everything. We don’t consider working hard and improving to be worth anything. I think truly bright children can do all subjects well and that includes a MFL!

The question - is it important - is the million dollar question, isn't it?

In short, yes I do believe it is important. I'm not under any illusion that the teaching or understanding of the language will be that great by the time she leaves school but the TOOLS will be imbedded in her brain and when she goes to Spain or Latin America she could pick up more and have a firmer grip on the language.

But is that important...?

Yes, in short, being able to access another language, which means a different world view, culture, ideas etc....it's hugely important for those of us living in a monolingual society, which the UK generally is...

Sadly we are not just monolingual. We tend to think we are the only country that matters. So many people are content to live in the British bubble and do not want to engage with people from other countries. They certainly don’t want to make the effort to learn anything about them or their languages and culture. For the good of the uk we really need to expand horizons! Starting with MFL in school!

If your daughter doesn't want to take it then don't. I wish I'd listened to mine, as we discussed she take it and now she's struggling. She's not language oriented preferring stem and isn't taking it further to A level.

Have a look at the syllabus and exam questions - she if it's something she can has a desire to learn.