A language for everyone

Whatever language children speak at home, learning Welsh can give children additional skills and more opportunities for the future.

This booklet is a simple guide to enable you to deliver and develop the Welsh language at your school.

“We moved to Wales just before our son was born and he and I have been learning Welsh with Cymraeg i Blant since. We feel it’s important for our son to grow up with both Welsh and English to reflect the culture of where we live and to learn lifelong skills.”

Kate, parent from Cardigan

“Welsh is not a major international language and sometimes it feels like it doesn’t really matter if your child speaks it or not. But it does matter here in Wales. It is your child’s best chance of being able to come home. Being a Welsh peaker opens up opportunities in their working life, enabling them to get access to good jobs and live and work in the area they grew up in.

Introducing Welsh to your child, even at a basic level, is valuable and easy. Try to attend Welsh clubs and take out simple books in Welsh from the library. We speak English at home with as much Welsh as we can. My son is 2 but he can count to 10 and name most of his animals in both English and Welsh. He can pronounce all the major Welsh sounds, providing him with a great starting block.

Having a second language equips children with the innate ability to see the world in two different ways. I think this makes them naturally more creative, sensitive and diplomatic, helping them grow into more rounded adults.”

Katherine, parent from Trefin