Modern language GCSE - university?

[learntojive]

My daughter is in year 9 and just taking her subject options. They've been told that they are expected to take a language and whilst I personally think it's good to have another language, she hates both French and German (the only 2 they do) and is by no means a natural linguist.
When I queried it with school, after a few evasive answers it seem to me that it's all down to meeting government targets.
One thing they did say though was that by 2012 (when my daughter would be going) universities won't accept students who haven't got a gcse pass in a 2nd language. Does anyone know if this is the case?
Thanks

[andrea81]

I can't see how this would be true as it would be discrimination of some kind I'm sure! I think your LEA would know.

It's a very bold statement for them to make!

[froggequene]

It sounds like someone's telling porky pies
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6173219.s tm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6173219.s tm

It's unlikely your Local Authority would know, they're not usually involved in third level education

If you're daughter is already thinking about University & has one or two in mind, it mightn't be any harm to give them a ring and ask them

[froggequene]

There seems to be plenty about making languages compulsory for primary school kids by 2012 but not much to be found about GCSEs & Uni, you could also try connecting Connexions - as its their job to help & advise young people regarding their future career options, someone should know if this thing about languages is true
http://www.connexions.gov.uk/

[meltoadhall]

we were told that if there was something else that suited our daughter rather than the french /german option she could do something else if we put a letter to the school with the reasons why.

never heard about unis demanding a second language gcse as its all a levels they are interested in and we have been told that the gcse's matter less than a levels.

[learntojive]

Thanks very much everyone that's really helpful.
We've also been told to send a letter in to the head teacher which I did today, The school rang tonight and said they had quite a few similar requests to consider and they will let us know.
Thanks again, Anne