This is the last episode of the second series of our #BabyStepsIntoWelsh podcast, where presenter Nia Parry and Dr Enlli Thomas discuss everything you need to know about sending your child to a Welsh-medium nursery or school.
In this episode, Dr Enlli Thomas will be answering questions from you, our listeners, and also responding to comments sent in by parents from all over Wales – and the wider world!
Homework! Here’s one concern that crops up frequently among non-Welsh speaking parents. We were contacted by Christina, originally from Romania but now living in Penrhyndeudraeth. Like many others, she said that she and her husband were worried about homework being in Welsh.
“I worry about how we’ll help them when we can’t speak Welsh.”
She spoke with Dr Enlli Thomas, who responded;
“You’re not alone, there are many parents who don’t speak Welsh who send their children to Welsh-medium education, and the staff are all aware of the importance of this issue.”
During the episode we heard the inspiring story of one of our listeners, Aga, who originally came from Poland, who now lives in Llanaelhaearn with her Welsh husband. Aga has two daughters who attended the Cylch Meithrin, where they began their education in Welsh.
“My girls now speak three languages, Polish, English and Welsh – and they’re doing brilliantly. If anyone has any doubts about sending their children to Welsh schools, don’t be worried, even if you don’t speak Welsh yourself. I’ve never had a problem – the teachers are amazing, and everything comes home from the school written in Welsh and English.”
Enlli added:
“Young children are so adaptable, they learn languages quickly, and it’s so important for them to learn when and where they speak a particular language. They switch from one language to another easily, it’s not confusing for them. Children as young as two can understand which language a specific person uses with them.”
During the talk, we hear which courses are useful if you want to learn Welsh in order to help your children develop, as well as learning where to find the best and most interesting books for your children.
We also heard Dr Enlli Thomas responding to several questions from the public, such as what it means if a child doesn’t develop as well in one language compared to another, and what to do if you feel as though your child is losing their Welsh as they aren’t as open to it as they used to be.
So, what was Dr Enlli Thomas’ last words of advice to parents?
“Language is a gift, and bilingualism is a brilliant skill which helps you to develop your children in several ways. My advice is not to think about it as ‘Welsh vs English’, because Welsh also develops your children’s English skills, but it does so in a way that contributes to their learning in a way that goes beyond language.”
You can listen to the whole discussion here, and remember to share the series with other families who are trying to decide on the right educational path for their children: www.podfollow.com/babysteps.