Mumsnet Talk

Hi MNetters,
I'm British born Italian/Greek, DH is German, DD is 3.5y.o. and at full-time (English speaking) nursery.
From birth I spoke to her exclusively in Italian, though now finding it more difficult because she only ever speaks to me in English, in spite of all my efforts!
DH tries to speak to her in German, but finds it harder than me to switch languages.
We'd both love to know if anyone has ever heard of/used any Saturday morning Italian or German school/club/parent group for kids this age...where they can be a bit immersed in their language with games/songs and just by hanging out with other parents and kids who speak either of these 2 languages.
Have searched Google with no luck and only found some under 3s group in N1 which is a bit young for her really.
Many thanks.

HI,

have you looked here:

http://www.germansaturdayschools.co.uk/

no I hadn't but thanks noramum - have you used them?

Have you tried your local Italian consulate? My dad is Italian and I attended Italian Saturday school in Watford, where I later studied for and sat my Italian GCSE. And it was all funded by the Italian government. It was a long time ago mind!

great idea EMS ought to try that one as in same position.
I went to Italian school in Ladbroke Grove where I sat O Level (showing my age now) and that was funded by Italian govt too.
Mind you, after 17 years of Berlusconi and Italy in a financial mess, I can't see them forking out for expats' kids' Saturday schools any more

There are several German Saturday Schools throughout London. Our kids go and we find it not only helps with the language but also to meet other kids speaking the language (as well as German traditions like St Martins Umzug, Nikolaus, Fasching etc). They tend to have quite a long waiting list, especially for the younger years, so I'd put dd's name down as soon as you can.

mopsyflopsy I saw the long waiting lists how long did you have to wait? our DD understands some German, but isn't speaking it at all...only the SamstagsSchule does stipulate that kids need to have basic German in order to attend - so am wondering if it would be too hard for her. Did your kids have a good grasp if German when they started?

How long you're likely to have to wait for a place will depend on the specific school, but I suggest you put her name down right away as they take them from age 3. Yes, most kids there do speak German (to various levels ) and the lessons are entirely in German, but the younger classes are very playful (with songs, games etc.) whereas the older classes focus more on writing and grammar and a good grasp of German would be necessary.

We don't use the German School so far as DD only recently started Reception class and we don't want her to have too much going on as she is still very tired and needs a lot of relaxing at the weekend. We also don't want her to get confused with reading and writing.

She also goes swimming and that would be at the same time as the German School.

We were concerned about her German as, despite living in a totally German household, her active speech was very low. We went to Germany during half-term and after half a week she was speaking fluent with an English grammar though. We will see how it works over the next year and see then.

thanks both

not Italian myself but have a look here as there seem to be some interesting info
www.multilingualfamily.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=69&sid=958d54ebcd6d63778c187b69b0a99aa0

really useful SybilleH many thanks for that too