How do you take GCSE if homeschooled?

Should I take film and media or french gcse?

• I can only take 3 options for GCSE and I want the English Baccalaureate so I'm taking Spanish and Geography. I wanted to take ICT for my other option as I have considered a career in programming, etc., but my school don't offer it as a gcse. I narrowed down my choices to Film and Media or French (excluding Business Studies - I'd like to do it but I hate the arguments and stuff you get with selling christmas cards at school.. peh). For Film&Media I get 2 gcse qualifications and have to take two exams.. for French I get 1 gcse but I believe it's considered a "better" gcse.. I don't know what to do, my form has to be handed in in a few weeks and I still haven't decided. It might help to mention that I have no idea what I want to do as a career, either. I'm interested in astronomy/that part of physics, gaming, computers, reading, writing, etc. I feel that I would probably enjoy the Film and Media lessons a bit more.. but I think I would do better in French because I work better in exams like that... The film and media exam seems like its quite opinion based and I don't do well with stuff like that... I could go to French classes and learn french anywhere, I suppose... Also I have never had Film and Media or French classes, the closest I've had to either is ICT and Spanish lessons... Can anyone help? Preferably someone who's done either the film/media gcse or the french? I'd like to know what's actually involved with getting the grade I want in film/media, rather than the "fun stuff" you do in the class... It'd be nice to enjoy a lesson but whats the point if I fail it? :p Thanks...

• Answer:

  French is a far more respected and employable subject to have under your belt - Film/Media is generally perceived as soft, and some universities even disregard media studies as a subject entirely. Seeing as you're already doing Spanish, you will find French easier than most - the languages have many similarities (I did both French and Spanish, as well as Italian). Learning many foreign languages also gives you a great understanding of linguistics and language in general, which is a useful skill if you want to persue a career in writing/reading of any sort... as you'll be familiar with effect of language and structure of language. French is also ridiculously easy these days (as with most language GCSEs...), due to the new controlled assesment examination system, which means you take less formal exams at the end of the year.