GCSE French

[mrsconradfisher]

DS’s school really push them to take a language, they do French and Spanish in Y8. Then have to chose 1 language for Y9. DS found Spanish incredibly hard so picked French . When it came to picking their options, they made it clear that more able students would be expected to take a language to fulfil something called an EBACC so DS reluctantly took French. His school is split in half with 2 sides running parallel lessons. None of the students in his original class took French so his entire French class is made up of him plus 10 other students which are fairly fluent (French parents or family members). He is absolutely hating it, says he cannot do it and wants to drop it (just started Y10).
School have basically said he can absolutely change it but the subject he wants to change to is completely full so we are completely stuck. The subject he wants to change to, I imagine he’d probably have a fairly good chance of getting a decent grade in. I’m very very doubtful he would even pass French.
Don’t even know what I’m asking really apart from I don’t know what I can do to help him. He is Autistic and the thought of battling with him for the next 2 years over a subject he hates is not exactly a great thought. He seems to be ok at reading French, he could have a fairly good go at the Foundation reading paper now. It’s the speaking/listening part which he cannot do. I don’t know whether it’s just him really struggling or the rest of the class are so far ahead that he feels like he is never going to catch up.
Any language teachers on here that could offer any advice?

Hey @mrsconradfisher MFL is my subject so I hope I can help.

So the Ebacc is a measure that schools are assessed on but it has no value for students. There is no need for anyone to take GCSE MFL, unless ofc they are planning to take it for A level. In an ideal world everyone would want to of course, but for some YP it’s just not accessible.

Is there any other subject he can switch to apart from the one that is full? What is there and are any of them any better?

If not and he has to stick at French, well if he is able to tackle a F reading paper at the start of year 10 that's a pretty good sign.

Speaking and listening are often areas that daunt students but in general they don’t do as badly as they fear. Would a tutor be a possibility at all – even just for a short while to get his confidence up?

The best way to do well in the speaking exam at a foundation level is to have a bank of learned phrases that can be used for many situations, and try to use those. Make sure you tick the boxes (opinions and reasons; range of verbs; develop answers; use past and future tense) in your speaking. I had a speaking candidate last year (I do some private speaking assessments) who when describing the picture (this is AQA btw) said "j'aime la photo parce que c'est intéressant." I cannot imagine that she did but bang! opinion, reason and two verbs right there. I mentally took my hat off to her (or rather to whoever had tutored her).

If I can offer any further help pls shout.

Not a teacher, but have 1 child just finished GCSEs, and one just starting.

If he's that unhappy, I'd ask the question "what options are open to me if I move away from French?"
Then hopefully you can choose the "least worst option". Given his prefered option is full, it might mean that french is, indeed, the least worst option. But at least he, and you, know you looked at what else was available.

A language is absolutely not essential for most degree courses.

Another languages teacher here. Yes, EBACC is just a measure by which schools are judged. Much as I like the idea of everyone learning a language, the MFL GCSEs do not suit or appeal to absolutely all students. However, he would have to switch to another subject if his other choice is full. The school won't let him drop French without replacing it with something else.

In fact a language is only essential for a degree course in a language.

But otherwise (and I assume that doesn't apply to the OP's DS) no university course requires you to have taken an MFL at GCSE. Despite what some schools still tell you.

Many thanks for your replies. The subject he wants to swap to is Sociology. The only other options are Music (he is tone deaf!) or Art and stick men are about his limit!! I think French is probably the least worst option tbh, it’s just frustrating because he has effectively lost a decent chance at a good GCSE grade.
I think he is missing 90% of the lesson content as it’s all in French and all the other students are fluent so he just feels like he is falling further and further behind. It feels like the class is being taught with everyone else in mind and he is expected to just keep up.

Clary, maybe that’s what he needs to do, learn some stock phrases which will tick a box. Randomly I did A level French many many years ago so I have a little idea but all the grammar and tenses have been completely forgotten.

So sorry @mrsconradfisher I meant to post again and forgot.

So firstly, sounds as tho French is indeed the least worst option that is available to him. So he needs to put to one side thoughts of doing another GCSE – he is doing this one.

Secondly, he is in a class of 11 (v small, great) with the other 10 being native speakers (wow! That’s v unusual). This is daunting him. But he needs to do this so can he flip that and see it as a positive?

GCSE is a marathon, not a sprint, especially for subjects like MFL – no way can you cram the knowledge needed in the weekend before like you might try for Eng lit (looking at you DS2). He has two years to get on top of this.

He needs to lose the (understandable) mindset that he is in competition with his classmates. He is not. They are a valuable resource. He is very lucky.

Speaking and listening are issues? Well happy days – his teacher is speaking in TL and so are his peers. He needs to listen and as he listens he will understand more. His listening skills will really sharpen and as he has confidence to speak more, so will his speaking skills. After 18 mo in this class, 2 or 3 times a week, he should see a massive improvement. Much better than a class of students who cannot speak French well and a teacher who addresses them in English.

Do you think he could reframe it in this way? It could be so so positive.

The French does sound like the least bad option, so you could just reassure him that he only needs to try to pass (4) and if all his other GCSE grades are high then you are not worried and nor should he be. Tell the teacher this as well.

My DD had to take French as it was her least bad option, and was so worried. We said aim for a 4 as she was predicted 7+ in everyting else. It really helped take the pressure off her and she actually ended up getting a 7, to everyone's surprise. The main thing she did in Year 11 was learning about 30 stock replies to potential questions off by heart. She has a good memory for stuff like that. That helps with both the speaking and writing.

Page 76 - here is a list of the sort of questions to prepare and learn answers for.
https://www.aylshamhigh.com/_site/data/files/users/13/files/0C48DF632DF87DA068954383C3342A6F.pdf

Bear in mind btw that while AQA and other past papers are a great resource, the speaking and listening papers are changing from summer 2026 exams to include dictation. The speaking is most majorly impacted but yes, stock phrases for questions will still be useful

Thank you, that’s really helpful. He may have exaggerated the native speakers bit after speaking to his teacher this morning! Half of them have French parents or French in the family so can speak fluently. The other 5 are very high achieving girls who find it incredibly easy so to him they are fluent.
She said that she is aware that he is finding it difficult but in another class he’d be doing brilliantly, so she is going to make sure he is coping during the lesson more.

I was very similar when I was at school. I got moved up from a lower group to a higher one, but everyone was ahead of me and I floundered. I really wanted to drop french.

My parents sent me on a French exchange and I suddenly got it. Enjoyed it, and came back feeling much happier. I got the GCSE. Perhaps you could find a language school or camp that do activities he might enjoy in France too?
Or a good local tutor?