In our #BabyStepsIntoWelsh podcast series, presenter Nia Parry has been talking with families about their anxieties, questions, and experiences of Welsh-medium education.  You can listen to and follow the series here: www.podfollow.com/babysteps.

In this episode, Nia chatted with Llinos Jones, a freelance radio producer, and her partner Laura McAllister, a former football player for Wales and a Professor of Public Policy at Cardiff University. The two raise their children in Canton, Cardiff.

“It’s logical to transfer the Welsh lanuage to our girls. I have an emotional connection with the language – I’m passing it on to them, and they will pass it on to their own children!” Llinos

Although the two of them were raised in Wales, Llinos identifies as British, and Laura as Welsh. Llinos was raised by Welsh parents near Llandeilo, but spoke English at home. Laura was raised in a bilingual household, and had to struggle to retain the langauge.

“We had to travel to attend a Welsh-medium school. At the time, Central Glamorgan wasn’t very supportive of the language, so my sister and I had to live with Mamgu a Thadcu (our grandparents) in Maesteg in order to attend the closest Welsh-medium school.” Laura

Fortunately for them, by now it is much easier to access Welsh-medium education! They have two daughters, and from the adoption process they knew that the children were to go down the route of Welsh-medium education. Annie is now in year 3 and Isabella (Bella) is in the nursery class and the Cylch Meithrin.

“We are very lucky in the Cylch. As Cardiff is a university city, there’s a real mix of non-Welsh and non-British people there. The non-British parents are proud to see their children learning Welsh as it enriches them. The more languages a child has, the better!” Laura

We hear how the Cylch Meithrin and Ysgol Treganna supported them, and a number of other families, by communicating bilingually. This is a concern for a number of parents who are considering sending their children to Welsh-medium education.

“This became more obvious during the Covid-19 period, when consistent communication with parents was needed. It was very reassuring to receive correspondance bilingually. Parents who are on the fence regarding sending their children to Welsh-medium education after the Cylch Meithrin need to know this.” Llinos

Laura is far more confident in using the language than Llinos. Working in the political world, she has had to re-learn the language, and has learned a number of new words! Llinos, on the other hand, has avoided doing much work in Welsh in her role as a radio producer, and this all comes down to confidence. Hearing Anni and Bella talking Welsh to one another has been valuable to them.

“The girls speaking Welsh is a valuable gift to us.” Llinos and Laura.

Talking with Nia, it’s obvious that Laura and Llinos are very glad of having a Welsh-medium provision on their doorstep, and don’t take it for granted.

You can listen to the full conversation here: www.podfollow.com/babysteps. Remember to share with other families who are trying to decide which path they want their children’s education to follow.