Welsh language: Mum makes resources for non-fluent parents

During lockdown, many non-Welsh-speaking parents had to teach their children the language - a seemingly impossible task for those not fluent.

One mum decided to take things into her own hands after friends asked her for help, and has created a help website.

Bethan Harvey, from Swansea, said there is not enough support for non-Welsh speaking parents who decide to give their children an education in Welsh.

The Welsh government said it wanted to do everything it could to help.

Lockdown amplified an already existing problem where children from non Welsh-speaking homes struggled with homework.

According to Welsh government figures, there are more than 65,000 children in Wales in Welsh or bilingual primary schools.

The statistics of the last Language Use Survey showed 28% of these children come from non-Welsh-speaking homes, and 75% of children who come from homes without a single fluent parent have started learning the language in school.

Ms Harvey started helping her non-Welsh speaking friends by translating words and recording herself on her mobile phone.

She said: "One of them called me up and said, 'oh my goodness I have a book and I can't read a word of it, how do you say this and this?'

"So he would record it on the phone, and send that over, and then we would get another message saying, 'that's great, but what does that mean?'

"I did a little translation, and when we talked to parents I realised that there was a lack of resources like this."

She said non-Welsh speaking parents cannot support their children in the same way as those fluent, despite wanting to help their children.

To right this wrong, Ms Harvey created a website with resources to help parents, and now schools across Wales are using it.

"The response has been fantastic and I receive messages almost every day from parents who say it is a huge help," she said.

According to some parents at Ysgol Llwynderw in Mumbles, Swansea, Ms Harvey's resources mean that the whole family can help with homework.

Adam Turner and his wife started learning Welsh after deciding to send son Gruff to a Welsh medium primary school.

"When we decided to send Gruff to a Welsh language school I wanted as much help as possible," Mr Turner said.

He said the website allowed them to teach their son his alphabet before going to school which was "great".

Sammie Bond's son Cadno is speaking Welsh at school.

She said: "This helps me get an idea of what Cadno does in class, but also my husband doesn't speak Welsh so it's great that he can listen to the videos too, and so do we all as a family can help."

According to the head of Ysgol Gymraeg Llwynderw, Rachel Collins, the resources are valuable when welcoming new children to the school.

She said: "It is vitally important.

"One of the first questions I get from non-Welsh speaking parents when I introduce new prospective parents, is 'how could I support my child at home?'

"And this is perfect to do that, everything is in one place."

In a statement, the Welsh government said: "We want to do everything we can to help non-Welsh speaking parents and carers as they support their children through Welsh medium education.

"This can also be a great opportunity for them to learn Welsh alongside their children."