2 languages at GCSE- yay or nay? 😐

Hi,
If you enjoy languages and have future plans with them, the answer to your question is definitely yes.
My child did two languages at GCSE level (German and Spanish) although he is bilingual in other two.
He did both in one year with A* results, so it is definitely doable. He studied German from age 7, but he started Spanish only 10 months before he actually sat the exam. Yes, they are hard work, but in my son's case they definitely did not interfere with his other subjects, and he did all the Sciences, plus more:-)

Hello,
Thank you for replying. That's amazing how much your son managed to achieve, a language in 10 months is so incredible. I understand it's hard work, but I'm prepared to do so because languages are probably going to play a big part in my future. 😄 And I hope I'll manage with other subjects, so I think I'll take this opportunity and see where the following months take me!

I did 3 languages and it was no bother - probably the easiest GCSEs I did. If you like languages, go for it

I do really like languages.
If you don't mind me asking, what did you get in your GCSEs?
Thank you for replying, I'm probably going to take it.

I got 10 A*s

I thought you were doing three

Revision tips I’d say:-Learn all your vocabulary (use Memrise or Quizlet online) -Have a notebook to write down all the vocab you come across the you don’t know so you can learnt it -Change your phone’s language to Spanish -Start watching Spanish shows with subtitles That’s all I can think of right now but the best thing I’d say for you is constant exposure, try to surround yourself with Spanish and French too all the time, so you become more familiar with them and can recall them faster - whether that’s through technology or reading books in that language or even just talking to yourself in the languages. Hope this helped and good luck, you’l really enjoy them!!

I really want to do, I think I might go for it. We only get one chance and this may be it for me because I love languages and my journey with French has been incredible so far.

My teacher has told me that I should go for it, he was the one who suggested it tbh.

I don't think so no. The reason being I'm going into Year 10 next year so I've already started my GCSEs (including French) this year. However, because of my grades in French I have been given the opportunity to add Spanish to French, it's an extra option and I wouldn't be able to change it to anything else. I'm the only person who would be doing French+Spanish and all of the other options that I have been taking this year.

Thank you for the reply, you've been a big help! 😄

Hiya, I’m guessing not a huge amount of people will be doing Spanish and so class sizes will be smaller? If so it will be much easier to learn the material. Either way I would say go for it. I am currently in year 10 - year 11 and I am doing French, German and Latin and I’m predicted a 9,8 and 9 respectively in those. It has been a challenge but if you’re willing to work hard then definitely go for it as it will benefit you in the future!

Also lots of my friends are doing Spanish and they all really enjoy it. They say it is very fast paced learner no but if you work hard you won’t have an issue

It’s kinda different but I studied some of my GCSEs in Welsh (it was a Welsh first-Language school), the sciences and English (obvs) in English and then also learnt German at the same time. My friend did this but took french as well as German, he was a languages person and breezed it somehow - I found it okay as long as you work hard!

Go for it! I wish I had done two languages but my school wouldn’t let me as I’m passionate about languages like you too!

Firstly, French and Spanish are not at all similar and would be difficult to mix them up. I speak French, Spanish and Italian fluently and found it pretty easy to do as knowing one helps with the other (especially grammar). Also, I think conjugations are pretty different from each other and find them the most important in any language. If you learn conjugations, everything else will just fall into place. I think it is a good idea, especially if you want to do both at A-level.

Hello,
I'll keep this short, but I would just like some advice about studying both French and Spanish. I love languages with a passion and am willing to work hard, but I need to see if the decision is right or not before I commit to anything. I already study French and have been given the opportunity to study Spanish on top (long story) but it is a language that I didn't really pay attention to in primary... 😓🤤

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Well, I said this wouldn't be a long post but perhaps I lied... Anyway any advice on whether I should take Spanish or not is much appreciated, and if anybody has any revision or study tips then I would love to hear from them.

Advantages:
Love languages (already mentioned)
Willing to work hard (already mentioned)
Looks good on CV
Want to pursue languages further and potentially have a career associated with them
Pushes me further (I am working at a good grade in French which is why I have been given this incredible chance)
Looks interesting so far.

Disadvantages:
Could mix up both languages (biggest one for me)
Time consuming so other subjects such as triple science may lack.
Have to start from scratch.
Increases exams- more stress.

Worst case scenario- I start learning Spanish, don't do it properly, procrastinate and both languages go down the toilet. Meaning that my French will say au revoir and leave me forever.


Thank you! (If anyone replies?) 😂

Woah! That is...wow! Well done, to get those grades is absolutely insane (in a good way ).


Very long story.
I'm defo doing French.
Russian I said if I take it on your thread because I cannot spell in Russian to save my life.
And Spanish is the one that I'm still considering because I got offered it recently, but it's a brand new language. I think I'm taking it now though.

If my spelling and grammar get better in Russian, then I'll be taking that because it's my second language. The one exam that is stopping me from taking it is the writing; normally my strongest but in this case I get let down very often with it... 😤

Thank you

The level expected at GCSE for Russian writing (for writing in all foreign languages really) is pretty low. If you speak it at a second language, it would be a very GCSE to do.

I'm considering it. If I improve spelling and grammar, I could do it as a GCSE but I'm just not sure. And the amount of exams I'll be taking would be immense.