How will I support my child if I can't speak Welsh?

Whether you speak Welsh or not, there's plenty you can do to help your child use Welsh.

Don't worry!

Here are a few simple steps:

Encourage your children to use Welsh when speaking with friends, siblings or family members who can speak Welsh. You can also do this over the phone or digitally.

Encourage your children to engage in activities that are available through different media e.g. listening to Welsh music, downloading Welsh apps, watching Welsh programmes on television, using social media e.g. Facebook and Twitter in Welsh. The important thing is that your children have contact with the language as often as possible.

Will I be able to help with homework later on?

Welsh-medium schools are well-equipped to support parents from non-Welsh speaking backgrounds with many different tools to help you. Schools can send homework out bilingually, which will help to foster your child’s translation skills and your child’s teacher will be more than happy to help you with your child’s homework. Research has also shown that children who have to translate a task for their parents get a better understanding of the subject, as the process of translation actually reinforces the subject in the child’s mind.

Professor Enlli Thomas: Supporting Children

This video clip for parents and carers who do not speak Welsh at home but who have children in Welsh-medium education may also be useful. It comes from Professor Enlli Thomas from Bangor University.

Ideas to support you

There are numerous ways that you can support your child's Welsh at home. Click here to visit our site with practical ideas for you to support your child's Welsh language development.

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