ubereglu Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Tonight I was just thinking about my options, well sort of anyway, more about the huge heap of R.S. Homework I'm currently doing. I was thinking what a complete waste of time it all was as by the time you get to doing your GCSE in it, which is compulsory. you just end up repeating stuff you've already done. In my opinion I think it would be a lot better if the government dropped R.S. after year 9 and then made everybody do at least one foreign language. I say this as languages are a lot more useful than something where you're just getting bored and is a complete waste of time. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I think MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) will soon be a compulsory subject too Liz. By 2008 every child from the age of 8 upwards will have to do it, so I can't see how they aren't going to extend it right up until 16. It would be a waste of the early start. What bugs me is that we are still teaching French over and above Spanish, when the latter is far more useful in Europe and South America. Actually, Urdu or Mandarin would be even more useful. Sorry LIz: You won't like my verdict: MFL AND RE should be compulsory up to 16. I LOVE teaching RE, (even though I am not religious). I love finding out about different beliefs and their associated rites and rituals. If it is boring, blame your teachers, not the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I hated RE at school, it just didn't inspire me. I expect it had a lot to do with the teacher though as he didn't make it very enjoyable - it was so dry and boring It is a shame as I actually think I would have enjoyed it if it had been taught differently.... I loved modern languages, I did French and German for a couple of years and chose French for GCSE and again at A Level. I took GCSE Spanish at the same time as taking my A-Levels and then went on to do French and Spanish at Uni. I sort of wish I hadn't dropped German as I was actually quite good at it but I ran out of options! So, next I will try and learn German and I quite fancy learning a bit of Latin too. I do think that some knowledge of a foreign language is useful - but I'm bound to say that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 My Son is in Year 10 and all the top set GCSE students HAD to take either French or German at GCSE level. He chose German as he prefers the teacher He also HAD to take either Humanities or Philosophy&Ethics (the new name for RE at GCSE level ) He chose Hums Enjoying them both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I think MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) will soon be a compulsory subject too Liz. By 2008 every child from the age of 8 upwards will have to do it, so I can't see how they aren't going to extend it right up until 16. But it has just become permissible not to take any modern language GCSE. How confusing! I didn't take RE 'O' level and then it was all Christianity (the journeys of St Paul) but I am a qualified RE teacher. I really enjoyed the training course and I love learning about different cultures. In our multi-cultural country, I think it is important to understand the common faiths of the world. Although not everyone is religious, it gives an insight into other cultures and ways of thinking and living. I really value that knowledge. I value Modern Languages for much the same reasons. Having some basic knowledge means that I can at least begin to communicate with other nationalities. Latin is extremely useful too, especially for the written word, when I can usually work out meanings because of the 5 years of Latin I did. So, study everything then?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 whatever they make you do you will forget most of it by the time your old enough to drink anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Hi Liz, Devon has just handed in her preliminary draft for the GCSE options she wants to take,& we had a meeting at school about them last week. At our school the RE subject only counts as a half GCSE anyhow. I did question the wisdom of having this subject as a compulsory GCSE, & was told that it is often an easy option for those who may not get too many other high GCSE grades. Almost all pupils at Devons school get a decent RE GSCE grade, which counts towards college entry specifications. As a non-believer,I would not be bothered if my girls learnt this subject at all, BUT it does give them a wide learning of cultures & beliefs from around the world,which can only be a good thing. To be honest I would prefer it if it was called cultural studies & focused more in cultural differences rather than religious ones. Devons school has just added Manderin Chinese & Spanish as a GCSE too. Devon has choosen to do French,German,double ICT (DIDA),Psycology & History on top of her compulsory exams - we just now hope that she gets to do the subjects that she wants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 (edited) My son has to do a "half GCSE" in RE although he has no interest in it whatsoever which is sad because that means he's just wasting time he could be using more enthusiastically in another lesson. He's projected a grade E and he's not remotely bothered. It is one of the subjects they HAVE to take whether they want to or not. However, he is studying German and Italian enthusiastically and doing well in both!! Edited February 12, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Me and my sister got away with doing no MFL's. We did ethics and philosophy, but our school dont sit the tests. Having just moved schools to go to 6th Form, my new school friends HAD to do half GCSE's in an MFL, ICT and RE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Languages are georgeous! I do French and Italian because German is disgusting, whereas the my two sound beautiful, I'm also trying my hand at spanish! R.E is so interesting, there are so many cool trips and things to try and do. R.E and MFL are my two best subjects, best in the year at both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I've been watching this thread with interest and trying to decide whether or not to post - but here goes, I know you're a fairly broad minded lot, just don't shoot me down in flames! I hate the fact that teachers these days are so restrained in what and how they teach, and that children's learning is so strongly dictated by the system. I decided to allow my son to 'drop out' of school last year (he was 14). He is now 'home educated' He is working towards 7 basic GCSEs through distance learning (maths, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, english language and literature). In addition, he learns whatever he likes and enjoys at the time. He plays drums, so has a weekly lesson plus gets together with a friend to 'jam'; he trains and plays rugby weekly and swims with his little brothers every week. He still sees all his friends regularly. He was never interested in learning french, but as we are now going to France in June, he is teaching himself basic french so that he can communicate whilst there. We look at every outing/TV programme/newspaper as a learning tool. He loves reading and visits the library frequently to browse and get new ideas for books/subjects to study. If he doesn't like something, he can move onto something else. Basically, he was bored at school and was turning into a typical grumpy teenager. Now, although he has his moments, he is pleasant, communicative, helpful and interested in the world around him. Ultimately, he is still discovering what makes him tick and what he hates. He has just spent a full week doing only maths as he was interested in it and didn't want to be distracted by other subjects. I know that this would not suit every child, but it works well for my son (and yes, the younger 2 will be going to school!). But I wish there was some way that children could have a bit more flexibility and choice to find out what they really enjoy, and also what methods of learning suit them best. Sorry to have gone on a bit - what was the question?? Oh yes - I'd say do what you are really interested in!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Languages are georgeous! I do French and Italian because German is disgusting, whereas the my two sound beautiful Actually, German spoken properly also sounds just as beautiful as French or Italian Martin....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 No way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Languages are georgeous! I do French and Italian because German is disgusting, whereas the my two sound beautiful, I'm also trying my hand at spanish! You mean that German is a slightly harsher sounding language, like Dutch, Russian or Polish, Martin? Coming from German parents, I can understand why it isn't the most popular language to study, but that makes it more interesting as fewer people learn it. It makes a lot more sense than french as the grammar is more logical. C x p.s thats the end of my gardening tips for you martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Just wanted to post to say, Well done Snowy! ...and also, yes, agree with Shona & Christian, other languages just sound different and maybe offputting to the untrained ear, but they can sound just as beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Languages are georgeous! I do French and Italian because German is disgusting, whereas the my two sound beautiful, I'm also trying my hand at spanish! You mean that German is a slightly harsher sounding language, like Dutch, Russian or Polish, Martin? Coming from German parents, I can understand why it isn't the most popular language to study, but that makes it more interesting as fewer people learn it. It makes a lot more sense than french as the grammar is more logical. C x p.s thats the end of my gardening tips for you martin I'm sorry if I've offended you Christian! Lots of people do German at our school for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I'm sorry if I've offended you Christian! Lots of people do German at our school for some reason. German is a beautiful langauge, and has as much right to be taught in schools as French or Spanish - it is spoken in quite a few countries, and perhaps the people who choose to learn German are proving that they have more in their minds than how to order a beer on a club 18-24 holiday in a few years time....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Coming from German parents, I can understand why it isn't the most popular language to study, but that makes it more interesting as fewer people learn it. It makes a lot more sense than french as the grammar is more logical. Does that make you German then Christian? My daughters love German. DD1 is taking 'A' level, DD2 GCSE and DD3 has just started but is top of her class. We have an exchange student coming to stay next month for 10 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 as much right to be taught in schools as French or Spanish I didn't say it didn't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I think the "German is disgusting" and "for some reason" comments certainly give that impression, Martin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 and perhaps the people who choose to learn German are proving that they have more in their minds than how to order a beer on a club 18-24 holiday in a few years time....... You say it Sister!!! My Dad is german and my Mum is half German, So I am 3/4 I suppose. I have a British and German passport. I work for an airline, as most of you know and many of my colleagues complain about the language and the country! 'Its boring, there is nothing to do, its just cities' These are some of the comments I hear every week! You will never have a bad meal in Germany! (not that i'm obsessed with food ), The countryside is beautiful, the people are fantastic, when you get to know them and I love it there! I guess as it is not classed as a 'romantic' language, people just don't bother! p.s just received a PM from Martin. I did put a after my threat to withdraw gardening advice!!! No offence taken. People have opinions (which are wrong , thats the nature of life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Thanks Christian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I didn't say earlier that I love the German vowel sounds, so round and long. I find it a really pleasurable language. Singing in German is so expressive, I love it! words like 'Plotzlich' (sorry, no umlaut) just roll around the mouth. So much more to get into than French Last time we had a German student with us, she couldn't get me to pronounce Munchen properly (sorry, no umlaut) and I felt very . But we still laugh about how she had been taught to say 'London'. The German version is LunDun almost south London but too posh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Ginette you can always type an 'e' after the vowel if you don't have an umlaut eg Ploetzlich, Muenchen! Thanks what the Germans do! My favourite word is das Schaedlingsbekaempfungsmittel it means pesticide!!!! They group lots of words together to make a new word. the above means a substance to fight pests! Very logical! It is such a weird language But I have grown up with it and love it. I never appreciated my Dad talking to me in German and asking me to study it, but now I love being able to talk to people in another language. At work it helps out no end! The German passengers love it when they hear a german announcement on board. Its such a shame that it isnt studied more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I'm learning such a lot on this forum! I love words in general, & that is an excellent one, Christian. Sadly, my foreign language education at school was worse than non existant ( just enough to put me off, not enough to learn anything ) But now I'm interested. Visiting Munich (sorry, Muenchen) was one of my favourite w/e city breaks, not nearly long enough. Trains & buses were so efficient,clean & punctual, both there & in Austria. Oooh, tell me some more words! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
