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Secondary education

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Original poster

What to do about possible low MFL grade

17 replies

MadamSmith · 05/09/2023 21:33

DS is going into Yr11. He is currently predicted 7+ for all subjects except English (predicted 5/6) and MFL (predicted 5 but I think he could end up with a 4). He is dyslexic which I believe is the reason he struggles with the MFL as well as English. He doesn’t currently have ambitions to go to Oxbridge but I think he has the potential to get straight As at A-level when he specialises in the subjects he is best at, so will be aiming for top universities.

I am concerned about his low MFL grade impacting his university application and would appreciate any advice on what would be his best option from the following (or any other suggestions!):

a) Carry on as he is and accept it will be a low grade for MFL working on the basis unis won’t be bothered if he wants to study none related subjects
b) Get a MFL tutor to try and improve the grade. But I am concerned that if he spends more time on the MFL he could slip up on the English, which is obviously a lot more critical
c) Withdraw from the MFL ie don’t sit the exam - is this even an option? He would still have 8 GCSEs if he dropped the MFL

Does anybody have any thoughts or experience that would help us decide what would be his best option please?

OP posts:
Treesinmygarden · 05/09/2023 21:38

An English tutor and an MFL tutor?

clary · 05/09/2023 22:17

Tbh OP unless he is thinking of Oxford or Cambridge, or maybe a really highly rated course like economics at LSE, his GCSE grades in unrelated subjects won't matter.

You could engage a tutor for MFL and English as well if money allows. What MFL is it? If he is set to get a 5 will he be doing foundation, which is capped at a 5? I'm an MFL specialist and if I had a student who was a 4/5 grade I would certainly put them in for F paper.

I wouldn't worry too much tbh. Does he have support for his dyslexia - extra time in exams for example? A 5 is a perfectly fine grade for a subject he is not carrying on with.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 06/09/2023 10:29

I would drop the MFL and focus on the others.

DD is dyslexic and so was allowed to drop MFL completely at the end of Y8 to the relief of everyone. She's doing 8 GCSEs plus a BTEC. I know lots of very high achieving schools where SEN students only do 7 GCSEs, so 8 seems fine to me.

Far better to ditch the MFL and focus on pulling up the English grades - especially after this year's oddities there.

Bluevelvetsofa · 06/09/2023 10:48

Easy to say drop the MFL, but that will depend on how and if the school can accommodate it.

knackeredmumoftwo · 06/09/2023 13:08

Instead of dropping - can he move onto the lower band for MFL - max is a 5 but if he's struggling with the higher content it's much more accessible

He really needs to get 6s in one English at least - it was a requirement for A levels as my daughter's college and good essay / critical thinking skills are highly valuable to underpin any a level / degree

Sidslaw · 06/09/2023 13:15

As a dyslexic myself, many MFLs are a LOT easier than English - it depends on the type of dyslexia and the language he is doing- what MFL is he doing? Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, I would say, no, don't do it. German, Italian, Spanish, I would say go for it.

You are right, a lower grade brings down his average, and the average is important in some ways - grade predictions etc. TBH, a lower prediction for a dyslexic student might be more realistic anyway, and less pressure, rather than artificially raising his predictions.

Sixthforms who take students on with no GCSEs except their own first language, where they have a top grade, suffer from this stupid calculation - a child with one 9 has an average of 9! even though they are not capable of even a 2 in maths, for example.

In other words, what I am saying is getting a lower grade in one subject will lower his predicted grades slightly, but not change what he is capable of, or anything that matters

And plus, he will know a language

rhino12345 · 06/09/2023 16:14

It depends what he wants to do in the future, but I think option B sounds the best really. You've got to be quite careful with MFL tutors though ime. Finding a good one is like gold dust!

IThinkIMadeItWorse · 06/09/2023 17:06

What does he want to do next/at uni? Some universities do look at GCSE grades but for example from UCL's website;
"The admissions team may also look at what grades you have in which GCSE subjects: for example, if you’re applying for Physics at UCL and your GCSE French grade isn’t up to scratch, this won’t make as much of a difference as your GCSE Physics or Maths grade being a bit low."

English is much much more important than MFL. Don't let his English grade slip by focusing on something that probably doesn't really matter!

I suspect if school think he will pass the MFL they will be reluctant to let him drop it, they generally like students to get the EBacc if they can. Also it may not be possible for them to supervise him if he is not in the class so it's a headache for them.

lanthanum · 06/09/2023 17:13

Any reasonable university is not going to hold it against a dyslexic that their English/MFL grades are lower than the others. As a 6 looks like a possibility in English, I think it's worth a bit of tuition to try and make sure of that for English language - 6 is probably good for anything he's likely to need, and it saves having to excuse it.
I think the replacement for the personal statement is going to have a question about any mitigation for any poor grades - so he'll be able to mention there that dyslexia made MFL and English a struggle.

Original poster
MadamSmith · 06/09/2023 19:58

Thank you all for your advice. It’s really helpful to have a range of views. Answers to some of your questions:

  • The language is French and it really is a struggle. He seems incapable of remembering any of the verb conjugates and the whole masculine/feminine thing is very confusing for him. It is giving me flash backs to trying to learn spellings at junior school which was a complete write off and he still can’t spell in English.
  • I don’t know which paper the school are planning to put him in for so I will definitely ask the school this
  • We have been told that there is insufficient evidence for him to have the extra time for his dyslexia and to be honest he doesn’t need it for any other subject. In English and French it would have helped just for thinking time.
  • I’m interested in the comment that he needs a 6 in English. The sixth form college where we live says a 4 is needed on their website. A 6 will be more challenging to avoid missing this.
  • I also suspect the school will be reluctant to let him drop it. I feel guilty because they said he should do the Ebacc and I naively persuaded him to do it despite his reservations about the French. I now realise the school did this with their interests in mind not his which is infuriating.
  • interesting and reassuring to see the text from UCL so thank you for this

I think a conversation with the school will be our next stop, and then focus on the English and maybe a tutor to get that 6. If it starts to look like he will comfortably get the 6 in English then we may then consider a French tutor but not at the detriment of the English.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

OP posts:
Taptap2 · 06/09/2023 20:09

MFL is a huge workload for GCSEs if it doesn’t come easy IMO I learnt that lesson with first child, second child not doing a language. Honestly I would insist that he is allowed to drop it. He needs to concentrate on his English a 6 is sometimes required by some universities.

NancyJoan · 06/09/2023 20:14

I would be inclined to drop French, and get an English tutor. I did two MFL at A level, and even if they are your strength, they are HARD.

clary · 06/09/2023 20:22

I agree with others, it may not be easy to drop French - schools are not keen which is understandable, as what does the student do in those lessons?

If that is his level, for sure he should be taking Foundation. Have a look at a past paper with him OP (reading probably a good start) and see if he is anywhere near on a topic he has covered.

But tbh if he has to take it and ends up with a 2/3 grade, it won't affect him. I agree, a 6 in English language would be beneficial - yes quite a few unis do ask for this - tho plenty do not and it will only be an issue with the highest rated, I would say. But he may well want to apply for those! Focus on Eng lang and let French fall where it will. And I say that as a die-hard MFL-er :)

Clymene · 06/09/2023 20:30

He doesn't have to do the ebacc. He can change to a levels.

We decided that MFL was going to be ditched so he could focus on other subjects. Bizarrely he passed the foundation (got a 4) despite doing absolutely nothing. Literally nothing. I'd suggest if your child is bright, he could absolutely get a 4.

Unless your child wants to do medicine, no one gives a toss what GCSEs they did. Saying 9 GCSEs at level 4 and above including 6 A*s for example is bette than 8;

clary · 06/09/2023 20:39

Yes agree with @Clymene that the F level paper is pretty easy. That's why I suggested you have a look at one together.

Btw the ebacc is a measure of GCSE achievement and really only relevnt for schools - nothing to do with the IB which is an actual qualification in case anyone is confused.

Maireas · 07/09/2023 20:32

He won't be allowed to drop it. Schools are very reluctant to disapply.

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