Does it matter if you don't do a language at GCSE?

In short, no. According to government guidelines, it is not compulsory for you to study a foreign language at GCSE (or in Scotland, National 5). However, in Wales, while you do not have to study a foreign language it is compulsory for you to study both English and Welsh as a part of your GCSEs.

Do you have to do a GCSE language?

Maths, English and Science are the core subjects everyone must take at GCSE in England and Wales. English Language is compulsory in all schools and so is English Literature in the majority of schools in England, but there are exceptions, so do make sure you check. If you are in Wales you will have to study Welsh.

Can you drop a language for GCSE?

It depends on the school. From year 7-9, all schools will force you to do a language. Some will allow you to drop it when you choose your GCSE subjects, but not all.

Why are languages important at GCSE?

Because of its ability to boost brain function, taking a language during those all-important International GCSE years can be good news for your child's overall academic performance. Planning, concentration, multi-tasking and problem-solving are all skills that are improved with learning languages.

What happens if you fail French GCSE?

If you do not pass a GCSE exam, you will typically have the opportunity to retake the exam in November or during the next exam period. You can also retake individual subjects or retake the entire suite of exams, depending on your individual situation and goals.

What to do if you fail your GCSEs | ICS Learn

What happens if you fail English language GCSE but pass literature?

Some might have a condition that everyone who fails their English language GCSE has to retake – even if they've passed literature! It's not government mandated, though. So, you'll be able to find a school that will take you –unless you're trying to do A-level English!

How many people fail French GCSE?

Across the UK, a greater proportion of students achieved good passes in French in 2023 compared to all GCSE subjects. A total of 71.2% of pupils achieved grade 4/C or higher in French compared to 68.2% for all subjects.

Should my child do a language GCSE?

If your child doesn't want to choose a language at GCSE, ultimately they don't have to. There are many successful individuals who have not studied a GCSE in MFL. Your child will most likely have studied languages when they were in primary school, and during their secondary education, prior to choosing their GCSEs.

What percentage of students take a language at GCSE?

Uptake of Modern Foreign Languages: general trends

Among those, 304026* students took at least one modern foreign language (47.25% of the GCSE entry) with a total number of modern foreign languages entries of 345744.

Should I do 2 languages for GCSE?

If you are aiming to read languages at university and/or have achieved a high standard in languages in Year 9, then choosing two languages at GCSE level is ideal.

What happens if you fail a language GCSE?

If you fail English Language GCSE, you may have to retake the exam or take an alternative qualification. In some cases, failing GCSE English Language may mean that you have to repeat the entire year of study, or that you are not able to progress to the next level of education, such as A-Levels or vocational training.

Is doing two languages for GCSE hard?

This wasn't an easy task but I have never regretted my decision. I found that learning two languages at GCSE helped me greatly in other subjects I studied. For example, developing my communication skills, both written and spoken, helped with my GCSE English and other essay-based subjects.

Should I study a language at GCSE?

Any GCSE language will enhance your career prospects. French is easily combined with law and finance at university. German is very useful in the world of engineering and technology. Spanish will be invaluable if you are interested in tourism and travel.

Do you need a language GCSE to get into Oxford?

None of our courses have a specific GCSE requirement; however, there are some parts of our admissions process that use GCSE grades to contextualise applicants' performance, and we are not able to use other Level 2 qualifications (or equivalent) to replicate those measures for students not taking GCSEs.

What are the easiest GCSE subjects?

Do you have to pass English language GCSE?

Much like GCSE Maths, GCSE English Language is a mandatory subject that's taken by every single student in the United Kingdom. With the new scoring system, the minimum grade that's required to pass GCSE English Language is a 4, with anything above this being a pass mark.

What is the most popular language at GCSE?

Spanish has the highest number of A-level entries in schools across England for the fourth year running while French remains the most popular language at GCSE level.

What grade is 80% in English language GCSE?

Ofqual's indicative grade boundaries (pages 13 - 15)

According to this illustration, grade 4 requires 56 - 66 per cent, grade 5 requires 67 - 77 per cent and grade 6 requires 78 - 88 per cent.

Can you just do English Language GCSE?

There is English Language GCSE (language only, no literature at all) , and there is GCSE English (combined language and literature in one, they have to do 4 controlled assessments including Shakespeare, there will be the latter and another literature text in the exam).

What is the least passed GCSE?

To pass you need at least a Grade 4 or Grade 5. Grades 1 to 3 are like the old D to G. The U grade, meaning “ungraded”, remains the same.

Is it worth doing French GCSE?

In conclusion, acing a GCSE French exam has many advantages. It can lead to professional opportunities, provide confidence for other courses, give students an appreciation for foreign culture, and bring personal satisfaction. A high grade in GCSE French is an impressive feat, and one that should be celebrated.

What are the most useful gCSEs?

If you are looking for a future career or course in science then choose double or triple Science. If you want to have a career in art or design in the future, then choose an arts focused GCSE. if you want to deal with customers from other countries or work abroad then a language will be very useful.

Does it matter if you fail Spanish GCSE?

For these exams it is possible to do more than one retake until you achieve a grade 4 or above. For non-core GCSE exams such as History, Spanish, Religious studies, unless it is a requirement for your further educational courses to achieve a certain grade, there is no legal reason requiring you to retake the exam.