How important is a Language at GCSE?

[Guest55]

I can't think of any Bucks GS that asks for a MFL GCSE grade A* to C for sixth form entry.

[moved]

I can't think of any Bucks GS that asks for a MFL GCSE grade A* to C for sixth form entry.

Quite different in Chelmsford G55.

[scary mum]

Ours doesn't insist on an MFL at GCSE (in spite of having a language "specialism"). They believe the students should have a free choice, while being aware it may place some restrictions on them later on. Personally I would be disappointed if my DCs didn't do a language, but it has been their choice (2 down, one to go!).

[Amber]

The school my sons are at insists on a language GCSE and I am very glad. One has even chosen the right language

[Loopyloulou]

I remember being told you 'had' to have Latin O level to go to University.

I'd guess that was true at one time. We forget how far "dumbing down" has progressed.

[solimum]

My OH remembers deeply how much he resented having to drop Biology in order to take Latin O Level. As a future Cambridge NatSci and materials PHD the Biology would have been far more useful....

[KB]

The problem is that it is difficult to predict what the situation might be in 4 years when its time to make the Uni applications.

It is unlikely to become an absolute requirement for University entrance it I possible that either DC decides in a course where it would be helpful or if applying for competitive course it is used as a rejection factor.
While courses may state quite a low level of entry requirements, the admissions team may be applying different criteria when it comes to sifting applications. So for example they discard those without a certain level of predicted A level grades and then without a certain number or proportion of top GCSE grades....
At the moment the majority of academic schools will insist on a MFL so it may raise questions if you don't have one.
None of my DCs have found MFL easy but meeting the challenge of achieving a good grade has taught them a lot too.

If it were my DC I would strongly encourage the MFL choice with the promise of support (including learning with them if you have that sort of relationship!) in order to keep all options open going forward. It is very early to be making choices that have even a possibility of closing any doors.

[Reading Mum]

I remember being told you 'had' to have Latin O level to go to University ... these rumours are unhelpful to students and pretty immoral.

My Dad's choices of uni to do medicine were severely limited by his lack of Latin O level but that was back in the 60s. Times have changed.

[Daogroupie]

It was still a problem for reading English at some universities in the 70's. It impacted me to such an extent that I have made sure my dd's are doing it.

[Guest55]

Yes - but I was never going to study medicine or English. We were told you needed it regardless of the course which was clearly not true even then.