Are languages really that important? [+11REP]

[Ardemax]

Hai guys

Basically my school completely screwed me over regarding which language subjects I could take.

Seeing how I had to take short-course Welsh, there was no other options to pick a language except for French, and I wanted to pick History, so they clashed.

In the end I just dropped the languages thing but I heard they are running after school classes twice a week for French for the exam in the summer. And basically I was wondering, should I attend? Should I really go for a language like French?

How is it, like compared to say English, Maths and Science for Uni?

Do you need a language like French do to particular courses at Uni? (Obviously a language course, but I mean something like ICT or Maths).

Thanks all!

[dbgtz]

Well, my school said (probably lied) that it looks good as it shows you can adapt to learn much easier, though personally I don't believe this at all and it's mostly experience that will win you some brownie points.

[Jazz]

My school told me personally that if I took a GCSE in a language it would get you into university easier.. I don't think it does tbh, you can always do a college course on the subject you want to take first and go onto college later?

[beth]

languages do look good for university, as it's hard to learn another language and it shows an intelligence. there are still a lot of high paying language jobs available and it's always useful to have a second language.

[Ardemax]

Thanks for the replies!

Is it the end of the world, say, if I don't take French? Could I still go to a decent Uni without a language?

[Rozi]

Yes you can definitely still go to a good university without a second language, they just come in handy if you want to do a business, PR or customer resources related jobs in the future!

[Wig44.]

Yeah french will help (for ICT and maths) if you want to study at a french-speaking university, a university in the UK won't give a flying ****. This applies to most courses, not just ICT and maths.

[danzooo]

In my experience, languages are irrelevant unless you are doing a language course, or a course that has anything to do with a different culture, or being abroad (e.g. Tourism management, etc).

I applied for Business Management at 4 different Scottish universities and received offers from them all, and the only language qualification I have is a '3' for Standard Grade French, which loosely translates to a very average grade for a qualification you do when you're about 15, basically. As long as you have English and Maths, and generally good grades in all your other subjects, you will be fine.

[Suspective]

I know that you can't get into UCL without a Language GCSE (C+)

But to be honest I don't really think it affects you that much unless you are battling for a place at Oxbridge in which it may give you a couple more points. :P

[Special]

it really does depend what you want to do after school & at uni

tell me what you want to do at 6th form/college & uni & i'll tell you out of 10 how important it is that you take it

[Chippiewill]

Basically if you're planning to go to a university which requires A on the entry at all then the language helps, if you plan to go to a university with an A* on it a language is basically required. If you really don't want to do it and you're not going for a super high-end university, just do well in everything else, especially english and maths.

[Duracell]

If you're going to take a language, at least take one that is used more than French.. Like Spanish, possibly German and I hear Mandarin is quite big with businesses atm!

[Narnat,]

I think it all depends on what you want to do with your life in the future and if you will need them. Sure it's nice to have a few that you can say you have and it could help if you visit those countries and it will help you get into uni! So I would say you should attend.

[Ardemax]

Thanks everyone again for the very useful replies!


it really does depend what you want to do after school & at uni

tell me what you want to do at 6th form/college & uni & i'll tell you out of 10 how important it is that you take it

Ummm I was thinking of taken maths, english, chemistry and something else, haha

for uni, i have no idea, maybe something related to ict?

+Rep to all the posts so far!

[Chippiewill]

Ummm I was thinking of taken maths, english, chemistry and something else, haha

for uni, i have no idea, maybe something related to ict?
Screw taking the language then, focus on your English, Maths and Sciences.

[Ardemax]

Thanks for that haha! :)

[Jin]

Tailor your A-level options around your university degree options, otherwise you will find that you will lack the necessary prerequisites required for the course. Maths is always a safe option in any non-creative based degree.

[Recursion]

So long as you have some form of language at GCSE and aren't planning on taking a language degree at Uni, there shouldn't be a problem really.

[Ardemax]

Thanks guys!

+rep if I haven't given it already...

Also, would maths, science, english and r.s be sound choices for a level?

[Recursion]

Thanks guys!

+rep if I haven't given it already...

Also, would maths, science, english and r.s be sound choices for a level?

Very good choices, but be prepared to drop one of them when you move up to A2, a lot of people find 4 after the first year is too much work. I took English (FUUUUUUU PRIDE AND PREJUDICE), Geography and R.S (Well, Theology, which consisted of Ethics and New Testament) and I enjoyed it. Got me into Uni.

[Showder]

For people who have half-a country and a half- a country blood , YES. A major YES.
Ever since I was 4, I was forced to learn Mandarin since I was half, and boy did I suffer!
My main language is English so ;l
Schools , most language we all mostly have been chosen to learn by principals are French,German,Swedish,Chinese,Bahasa Indonesian. I think.

[Ardemax]

For people who have half-a country and a half- a country blood , YES. A major YES.
Ever since I was 4, I was forced to learn Mandarin since I was half, and boy did I suffer!
My main language is English so ;l
Schools , most language we all mostly have been chosen to learn by principals are French,German,Swedish,Chinese,Bahasa Indonesian. I think.

If you're in the UK, I think Spanish and Italian comes before Chinese and Indonesian? :)