Foreign language taught at school

[khyarenness]

Hi,

It might be a bit too early to ask this question, but I am wondering if parents can ask the school that was assigned to their child to put the child in a 7 year class where a specific foreign language is taught, rather than letting the school assigning a random foreign language to the child?

[kenyancowgirl]

It depends on the school. Some ask you to apply with a preference before you start at the school (but often say there is no guarantee) others randomly allocate you to a particular language. In our school with the application process for the language you could give a reason as to why you particularly wnated that.

[ToadMum]

Hi,

It might be a bit too early to ask this question, but I am wondering if parents can ask the school that was assigned to their child to put the child in a 7 year class where a specific foreign language is taught, rather than letting the school assigning a random foreign language to the child?

You can ask, but the school doesn't have to comply, if it has a set way of allocating students. (I assume you mean 'allocating at random which language, out of those offered in year 7, each student takes', rather than literally, 'a random foreign language'?). What does the school actually say about how languages are allocated? Do they start with one in year 7 and have to stick with it to GCSE, or start with e.g. French or Spanish, then swap over or add the other language later on?

[helen0209]

Which school are you asking about ?

[khyarenness]

Which school are you asking about ?

QMGS

[A_Mum]

Which school are you asking about ?

QMGS

I have a son in year 8 at QMGS. I don't remember there being an option for a specific language, although Mandarin is taught to all pupils, with the option of choosing to go forward for the Mandarin Excellence Programme. My son also did Spanish, but had the option of dropping that in Y8, which he has done. I think half of the boys are assigned Spanish and the others French, but all do Mandarin.