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.

[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