To send a 2yo to saturday language school?

[Marghe87]

DD is 2yo and is starting to speak, although mostly words here and there. We live in the UK and she goes to nursery, DH is British, I am from another EU country and have always spoken my own language with her. We try to do OPOL, although DH also tries to say a few words and small sentences in the minority language sometimes (he speaks it a bit but not fluent). AIBU wanting to send DD to a saturday language school? At this age, they obv mostly do songs etc. I have read and heard good and bad things about these type of schools. I know some kids might grow up rejecting the idea and others might just get on with it. The one I have found has very good reviews and seems lovely; we had a trial session and it was ok, but DD is indeed quite small to "appreciate" it yet (although the class was also open to DC of her age).
Am I going to make things worse if I send her to school or would this be beneficial in the long run? Not sure what to do, I am desperate for her to speak my language and be bilingual.

My parents tried to raise me bilingual but it didn't work, my brother would always translate for me and they let me stay in the baby class at Saturday school instead of progressing to the class where they learnt to read and write. So yeah, lack of perseverance.
My children are both bilingual, I'd say my oldest is fully bilingual (youngest is stronger in the minority language but he's started nursery now so I expect that will change but English is still the language he talks to himself in, so must be the one he thinks in), she prefers the minority language for reading but reads fluently in both and I think her vocab in both languages are on par with each other now, but it really helps that the minority language is English so its easier to get all that extra exposure from TV and books and music, but as a toddler she wouldn't speak English at all until we spent time around other people speaking English (went on holiday), that was the key thing to kick start her learning, when she wanted to talk to other children but they were all talking English. So that's why I think Saturday school might really help.

Absolutely amazing idea with Saturday school! Children, even that age are learning best hearing live conversations between people so that they can associate emotions with words. It woule be also great for your to meet other parents and arrange play dates later one in the native language:)

Our experience is:

DH and I are both Germans, DD went to nursery from 11 months, so outside language was always fully English.

Over the years she fully understands us but speaks to us in English. As soon as we are in Germany she swaps, she also speaks to the grandparents in German on the phone/video call. While my MIL speaks English, the others don't.
We mainly did German books, DVDs, YouTube until she was 4/5 at home. Apart from schoolwork we only speak German to her.

For several years we did holidays in Germany where she had to interact with other children and when we ended up in Spain she went to the German-speaking kids club with no problems at all.

She is now 15, did her German GCSE mocks with a 9 (A in old money). Writing is still a bit of a problem and I would say her reading is at a lower level than her English one.

We decided not to send her to a Saturday school and I don't really regret it.

I would carry on OPOL and encourage reading and writing as soon as she is able to. Saturday school can be fun and it's not wrong as it helps to show that others also speak this language, it also helps if they celebrate events typical for your country as being bi-lingual is more than just speaking a language, it's also a lot about feeling secure in two cultures.

Send her Op
I am English and Dh is Spanish. I speak Spanish but I am not fluent.
Dcs attended Spanish classes when they were three years of age. They are teenagers now and are fluent .

Mine both went from age 3 and 6 respectively. Can't say they've benefitted massively. The fact that they are bilingual is entirely down to me and the fact that I've taken every opportunity to visit my home country with them. I read with them and we watch TV in my language every day. My DD now has a private online tutor to prep her for the GSCE. She gets a lot more out of those 45 minutes in terms of grammar and spelling than she ever did in 2h of Saturday school. I'd say it's good for meeting people from your country and for the kids to feel part of that community. In hindsight I probably wouldn't send my kids again though; it was a waste of money and Saturday mornings when we could have done other things.