Education question

[MB34]

DS is being brought up bilingually - English and Welsh.

A bit of background - I and my side of the family only speak English, I have tried three times to learn Welsh and never succeeded. I am picking up words and do speak to DS with Welsh words I know.

DH and his family are first language Welsh - DH didn't speak English until he was 3. They speak to DS in Welsh the majority of the time but do occasionally speak to him in English if I am there.

DH wants DS to go to a Welsh school and is quite set on it as it's his history, culture etc and can help with getting jobs in the future.

However, I'm not convinced that it's the best thing for him. My reservations are

• I won't be able to help him with homework and neither will my mum (who is a retired teacher). In the past whenever I've asked DH to translate something either way, he mostly says he can't as it doesn't translate well, so I am worried that DH won't be able to translate things for me to help out.
• Once DS gets to A level standard nearly every subject is taught in English anyway so he may be disadvantaged.
• wrt getting a job, he'll be able to speak, read and possibly write Welsh anyway because of my DH and in laws so having an education in Welsh doesn't really come into it (unless the companies he'd be applying to have a preference). This also only applies to Wales (obviously) and if that's the argument, personally I'd rather DS be learning another language such as French or Spanish to enable him to be at an advantage if he were to leave Wales and work in other countries.

Has anyone been in this situation? Did you send DC to a school that you couldn't speak the language of but your DH/DP could? How did they/you get on? Do you wish you'd been adamant that they'd gone to a majority language school?

Hi,

I am in a similar situation except a few years on.
I am an Aussie, DH bilingual but VERY welsh centric. Kids have been spoken to in both mediums since birth. Both my kids attend a Category A - Welsh medium school. We live in a welsh speaking area so this, in the main, is the norm, however one local does offer English medium.
I do not speak more than very basic Welsh, my passive welsh is ok however.
I feel that learning another language early does make life long language acquisition south easier. The kids who are bilingual seem to be able to learn the third language with less trouble. My kids are picking up a third language with little issue.

I also had concerns about the homework issue but I can phonetically read welsh and understand the general instructions in ks1. My husband has promised me that he will take over when they outpace me. Mind you in ks1 homework has been minimal as most of it has been reading.
My boys have thrived in Welsh medium school. I also feel that SO many jobs in wales need Welsh now days that I would be putting them at a disadvantage if I didn't let them become fully bilingual. I would like them to be able to stay here to work/study/live if that is their choice.
I am on my mobile so can't get back to your op but feel free to pm me.

South=so much

I understand your feelings. What does your husband say in response to your concerns about A Levels, etc.?

I'm a teacher (secondary) at a British school in Spain. My son has just finished Year 1. He learns the bulk of the curriculum in English but also has compulsory Spanish subjects of language, literature, history, politics, geography and general culture including 2 homeworks per week (and reading). I speak Spanish more or less fluently and can read and understand it but my writing isn't as strong and my knowledge of history etc. is poor, despite my interest during the time we've lived here. My husband is more or less Spanish but was educated elsewhere. To be honest we have not found it simple to support our son with his Spanish language studies even just in Reception and Year 1 (he didn't do it in Nursery), but we have found it really interesting as a family to learn together - I've learned Spanish.poems and we've got books out of the library on topics and been on excursions to see things. However I do realise your predicament is different but on the specific point about homework it is possible that you will learn from your son.

I wish your family success and happiness in whichever school you choose.

I don't see the problem here with send your child to a welsh school. For the problems you mentioned: a) homework help: you could buy him English books to do at home with your help (which is what I plan to do if we end up sending our DS to school where I don't speak the language). Also does he really need the help? The school should be understanding and have dealt with many situations like it before so you could speak to the teachers beforehand.

B) a levels won't be a problem. I know many people who have been to a welsh school and I honestly wouldn't tell (these people range from the age of 11 to in their 20s and more)

Welsh first schools generally have better funding and better results as well. We are living in Wales right now (me being English, DP being Norwegian) and we are totally up for sending DS to a welsh school if we are still here by the time it gets to that, even though neither speaks the language.

Homework help isn't everything, maybe even your DS will learn something by trying to explain his homework to you?

Hope this helps :)