Which GCSE courses to pick?

[Blaasofapute99]

my dc needs to pick 6 gcse subjects from the following list: Mandarin, Spanish, French, German, Latin, Greek, Music, Art, Design, Computer Science or Drama.

Spanish, French, Music and Computer Science is pretty much a lock but undecided on the remaining 2. Atm DC most likely wants to study something business related, i.e. finance/economics/law/management etc...

What are are the best additional two subjects DC coud pick? Thanks

History is a better pick for law over Latin. 2 MFLs are also great. Latin not needed in that scenario. Economics great for business but not needed at GCSE.

Those talking about the number of GCSEs - if the DC is an advanced musician - say grade 8 then the performance element will be a doddle and a lot of the written and aural will also be way less than they will have tackled for exams and Grade 5 theory. If they find composition easy then music becomes a very straightforward subject that requires little work. Both of my DDs basically did their composition whilst others in the class were being taught theory they had learned years before.

Having spent a whole career reading complex legislation I would disagree with ohdear111 and say that the 2 subjects that were most useful were Latin for the reasons I set out above and an essay subject so if English Lit is included that would cover it but History would be better due to the need to structure and argue a case. History is also a good grounding for economics at A level if that is an option being considered.

@Londonmummy66 Latin might have been useful for you but on top of 2 MFLs it’s not necessary. Most lawyers don’t have it or need it although classicists do well converting to law. Many other dc have great reading and comprehension skills too without Latin. 2 MFLs and English are a good start.

As someone who has actually had a career reading legislation I do know what I'm talking about and there is nothing closer to reading some of our more complex legislation than construing a bit of Cicero. It also helps develop logical skills in a way that French and Spanish won't.

Well not everyone has your career! There’s a broad spectrum of careers and Latin isn’t needed for most. When many people went to school Latin wasn’t available at all and still isn’t in many schools. MFLs are a decent substitute in terms of understand language construction and readily available.

Yes but I am speaking from my own experience rather than vicariously via what my daughter may or may not have told me. Latin is very very useful for a lawyer much more so than romance languages. And what may or may not have been available when "many people" went to school is very much beside the point given it is available to this DC.