If you are the parent or guardian of a child who has had pre-school experience in a Welsh-speaking group, and are now thinking about primary education for your child, this site is specifically for you. It explains to you the advantages of giving your child the opportunity to speak two languages and of choosing a Welsh-medium or bilingual education.
Choosing to send your children to a Welsh-medium pre-school group, or primary school is an important decision.
There are many advantages to being able to speak two languages. Your children will be able to enjoy two cultures. They may also be able to link between generations, by speaking the same language as grandparents, the extended family or in the local community.
There are also economic advantages. In Wales today, employers are looking for people who can speak and work in both English and Welsh.
In Wales, Welsh-medium and bilingual pre-school groups (called "cylchoedd meithrin" - referred to often as just "meithrin") and primary schools have years of experience and expertise in educating children, and in many ways as far as understanding children's bilingual needs are concerned, Wales is one of the leading countries in the world. So, let's share this experience and build on it!
Deciding on your child's primary education may seem a bit daunting, but remember, moving from a Welsh-medium pre-school group ("cylch meithrin") or class into a Welsh-medium or bilingual school is a natural progression and will seem quite normal to your child. This will be especially true if a number of other children from the same group all move on together. A sense of continuity is very important to a child. On the other hand, don't worry if your child has not been to a Welsh speaking cylch meithrin, there is still plenty of time left to benefit from a Welsh medium or bilingual education, and small children pick up languages very quickly.
Deciding on the next step in your child's education is very important for your partner as well as you. It's important that you discuss this and consider your partner's options. If you want your child to speak Welsh and English you both need to understand that bilingual education has a vital role to play in this decision.
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