As English speaking parents, should we send our son to a Welsh speaking school?

Question

I have lived in Wales for 10+ years, and my son will soon be starting school. My partner wants him to go to a primarily Welsh speaking school. We both speak very little Welsh, and so I am concerned that my son will have difficulties and will be left behind or excluded. My partner will not change her mind- what can I do, and am I right to be concerned?

Answer 1

Hi,

My entire family is English speaking. My Grand-dad was a cockney and it was his idea that I should go through the Welsh language education system.

Your main concern is whether or not it will do your son any harm - categorically not!

Bilingual children pick up third languages (such as French) much more easily than monolinguistic ones. The extra exercise that the brain gets at school means that bilingual primary school kids are "brighter", although this levels out later in life.

There is also a whole world out there - literature, history, culture which is only accesible through the Welsh language.

Yes, there will be weird stuff for you to live through - nativity plays in Welsh, teachers at parents evenings sometimes grasping for the best word to use in english. But trust me, nothing major.

In my area, the parents of all of the kids in my class spoke english only. For a working class area we had a very good rate of teenagers going on to university - I think the language helped in that, rather than hindered.

So, go for it - it's better to have a second language from the off than struggle later in life.

You can always contact me through my profile.

Answer 2

Many Brits are moving to France, with only a smattering of the language, and sending their children to French schools. Leaving aside the loneliness of being a foreign child, they all seem to pick it up fairly easily. They speak English at home, of course, so learn both languages in tandem.

Will your son be going to school with friends from playgroup? If so, he may settle in easier. Are his playgroup friends going somewhere else? You could use that as an excuse with your partner. If he does go to the Welsh school, I'm sure he will soon catch up, and the school will do their best to help him. That's something for you to ask them - how do they intend to help him when he starts, or will he just be left to flounder.

My children had two Polish children join their class - neither they nor their parents spoke a word of English. The school tracked down a local lady who spoke Polish and got her to befriend them, and the teacher got a dictionary and taught the whole class 'Good morning' etc. in Polish. They both picked up English very quickly.

It does sound a bit odd, though, given that neither of you speaks it as a first language. It sounds as though you would be happier if he went to an English-speaking school that had a Welsh language class. Could you try again to talk to her, and come to a compromise?

Answer 3

I think it's a fantastic idea to send him to a Welsh speaking school. Kids can pick up new languages fairly quickly, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure his teachers will let you know if he's running into any difficulties. But I don't think it will be a problem. I think your son will enjoy being able to speak two languages.

Just look at the amount of children who come into the UK from other countries who are required to speak English in school. They all seem to do alright. :-)

Answer 4

Friends of ours went to live in Spain and all the children went to Spanish speaking schools within 6 months they were fluent in Spanish,and are now bi-lingual,it hasnt held them back at all.

It is a well known fact that the younger a child is the quicker it will pick up another language,also it could come in handy for you both if he can speak Welsh fluently.

We are encouraging all the europeans who are coming to live in England to learn our language and integrate,it can only be good for your son to do the same with the welsh children.

Answer 5

Dint worry, Its a good idea to let him go to the welsh school, he will develop a sense of bilingualism and that will stimulate the areas responsible for language and increase his intelligence. At home you should continue to speak English with your son.

Answer 6

i am an engish parent living in wales and cant speak welsh, my 2 children can both speak welsh and can help if you need to know welsh pronunciations and it can b of help 2 them in later life as knowledge of welsh is needed in some jobs

Answer 7

the problem arises when your son brings his homework home and u cant understand it and therefore can not help him , by all means send him to a welsh school as it will benefit him greatly as he gets older and grows up , but then they also teach welsh in all schools in wales as its part of the national curriculum ....

ahh pros and cons... only u can both decide

Answer 8

Children pick up languages so easily. You should send him there, having an additional language can only be an assett!
Try it for a couple of terms, if he's really struggling them move him, but don't deny him he opportunity to try.
I used to teach in a French nursery school, my 'lessons' were always given in English as the primary reason i was there was to teach the language, you would be amazed at how quickly the kids picked it up.

Answer 9

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