I want my toddler to have a second language

[littlemartian]

Hi all,

I'm new on here so please give me a bit of leeway if I don't know the jargon!

I have a 19 month old son who is just learning to talk (he knows look!, uh-oh, oh dear, and where is it?) and I really want him to have a second language. I learned very basic Italian from when I had an Italian boyfriend years ago and from that experience I realised that life can be really enriched by speaking a second language. My parents speak a niche Indian language and never bothered to pass it on to us and I really wish they had. I want to give my son this gift and the only way I can think is to send him to a French(/other language) school.

Are there any in North London? How can find out? Google searches so far have proved fruitless.

A friend of mine was sent to a the French Lycee school in South Kensington but that is way too far for me. I live in Highgate.

Oh and sadly my Italian is very bad now. I understand much more than I can actually speak anymore.

Not read all the posts, but my son's had French lessons at his day nursery since he was 2 (almost 3 I think). The classes are provided by La Jolie Ronde and they teach preschoolers and primary pupils.

The learning is totally 'play' based, so DS will always say he hasn't learnt anything, but he happily sings French songs, and can name animals, vehicles, count etc!

If you have any classes like that round you, I'd definitely recommend it!

If you want to do some language learning at home our website www.littlefidgets.co.uk has some great tips on things you can do. Parents who book into our French for Fidgets and Spanish for Fidgets classes either seem to love or loathe Muzzy. You can get it on trial so that might be worth a try. Spanish is generally considered one of the easiest languages to learn. Hope this helps

Just marking my place, as I've posted a similar thread in Language/Bilingualism (but without the emphasis on schooling)

there is a french school in gospel oak, so near you, called l'ile aux enfants. prob worth looking at!