Welsh medium schools vs English medium

[GoAwayNaughtyPigeon]

Hello 👋

Some context here - I'm not British, but English is my only language. I think I've got a pretty good grasp on British culture as I've lived here a good while, but its not perfect and I don't always know the intricacies as I'm not from the UK originally.

Anyway - I am in a position where me and DH are strongly considering moving into Wales for various reasons. This would be a permanent move, we wouldn't be leaving really ever and would only move house again if we were downsizing in old age (all things going to plan and such hopefully!) DD1 is due to start school in 2027. If we complete this move, I'm unsure whether to pursue sending her to a Welsh medium school or English one. I'm fairly certain she'd get into either re catchment and such where we'd be living. Anyone have any experiences to share? DH also only speaks English.

I like the idea of sending her to a Welsh medium school as:

• As a "foreigner" myself, I think it would be good for her to fully integrate with the area we will be raising her in, and be respectful of where she is living and its history etc. Yes I know Wales is not that different from England, but also, it is a bit different...? I have moved countries several times in my life so I know what it is to embrace a new culture and integrate, and I don't want to be seen as "That English family who just happen to live in Wales but aren't really part of the community"

• Being bilingual is a great advantage in life

• If she is bilingual, it opens up more job prospects for her if she wants to stay in Wales as an adult

• Somewhat selfish, the Welsh medium school we'd apply for is well regarded and I think she'd probably get free school transport to it. The English medium school is alright but not fantastic

• If (when) we go on holiday to more Welshy parts of Wales than the part we're moving to, she can translate for us 😂 (semi joking here i wouldn't put that on a child!)

• would make it easier if I decided to try and learn Welsh one day, although this is far in the distance as I don't have much time atm to dedicate to it

Cons I can think of? Maybe these are not an issue and you can tell me otherwise!!

• will I be able to support her with homework?

• Very tiny part of me worries I will be "othered" by things like the PTA or other school mums as I'm not Welsh nor do I speak Welsh. I hope this is just anxiety getting the better of me and I'm overreacting

• As above point, will DD1 still be able to make friends or will she be othered as she will start school not speaking any Welsh at all?

• She'll probably start reception with no friends as would go to a different nursery setting, I know she will make friends but I worry this will be hard on her

Any advice and experiences greatly appreciated tia!

It depends which part of Wales you’ll be in with regards to your listed pros and cons. In south-east Wales there are few native speakers so almost all the children in Welsh medium schools speak English at home, with many parents knowing little to no Welsh.

In areas with more native speakers this will be much more variable and it would possibly be isolating for you.

In either case I think the Welsh-medium school still sounds like the best option but would encourage you to also learn Welsh, not because you need to but to show support for your child.

Remember that if your child attends an English- medium school they will have to learn Welsh as a second language as well as French, German or Spanish. Welsh is a compulsory subject up to GCSE, which means students have fewer option choices and generally dislike Welsh lessons as they don’t see the point.

In most areas - all but the most heavily Welsh speaking - your child wont be the only one who speaks English at home/has non Welsh speaking parents. In some schools this will be the majority, in most there will be a mix, but ime it's not a barrier to friendships anyway.

I think the pros you list for Welsh medium far outweigh the risks. As you recognise, bilingualism itself has proven benefits that your child will carry through life even if they leave Wales.

Go for the Welsh medium school. The advantages of bilingualism are significant, the school will be well used to parents who don't speak Welsh (and there are loads of opportunities for you and your DH to learn it) and, as you say, it's a better school.

Having Welsh from an early age makes it easier for children to pick up further languages when they're older - my DC now speak 4 languages each.

Both English speakers and both dc went to welsh medium primary school, it was our local village school. They both loved it and one started at age 8 and was fluent in 6 months, one started from 4 and just naturally learnt. I did learn some basics and could read the welsh books sent home in the early years so no issues with homework. It was a great experience from our side.

My children went to a Welsh medium primary school. They went because it was the higher performing school in the area. If you’re moving to an area where the primary language is Welsh then absolutely send your children there. If the area is primarily English speaking then I’d probably send to an English speaking school. I found it really difficult because I couldn’t help with their learning because it was in a different language. We moved when they were in years 3 & 4 so they moved to an English speaking school. I know most of the children in their school years went to English speaking high schools. & it was the families that were first language Welsh went to the Welsh language high school.

We are an English speaking household, DD goes to a Welsh medium primary, all primary schools are Welsh medium where we are, and Plaid are determined to take away our one English medium secondary school option.

I think giving DD a bilingual education at primary age gives her a huge advantage over most 'indigenous' British kids who, like me are appalling at learning foreign languages.

DD had a speech problem and intensive SALT when she was little, but by 6 the teachers were saying that she was the most convincingly Welsh speaking of the first language English kids and she is now at 7 pretty even on her Welsh and English reading (measuring several months ahead age wise in English and a few months behind in Welsh). So she is definitely bilingual. I hope she won't emigrate as an adult but at least if she wants/ needs to she will have the language learning skills to go where she chooses.

In terms of school culture, this is very variable, and speaking to people in the local community will help understand this. Some schools discipline even small children for speaking Welsh in the playground, others are very laid back about which language is used and just reward them for using and improving their Welsh.

Welsh speaking parents have strong opinions on Welsh language education too, and not always in the direction you will expect. I have a few Welsh speaking friends who struggled at English university, especially in STEM subjects and are adamant that their child will go to the English medium secondary and are very angry that this option may be removed.

I was like your child. I love being bilingual and having the option of fitting into two very distinct communities. There is something special (and probably advantageous) about having no English accent in Welsh and viceversa. I went on to study more languages at university. My parents could help me a bit with homework as I would translate as I got older, but they mostly left me to it. They didn’t manage to learn Welsh, but that landscape has changed drastically since the 80s! I think native Welsh speakers are far more encouraging of learners and more tolerant of their mistakes these days.