General Chat

Maybe the reall emphasis is not about learning a new language. Maybe it's about integrating the Polish children to make them feel included in a different country? Sue xx

Absolutely Gwyn. The after school club will be hosted by Polish parents. That much I have found out. And as I said before, you are perfectly correct, it won't cost the school a thing. A couple of English parents have offered to host an English conversation club after school for the Polish under the same sort of premise and the school seems reluctant to commit. Seems odd to me xx Sue surely the best way to integrate the Polish kids is for them to speak English? xx

The best way to integrate the Polish children is to teach them English and English culture, you are right. But also at the same time remembering and respecting their own language and culture and sharing both with other people who are interested. Getting young children mixing with each other and learning about each other's way of life and language and values will go a long way in getting rid of negative stereotyping. (In my opinion lol) Sue xx

I don't disagree with you at all Sue. My daughter is really interested in different cultures and I am happy to encourage that. She was born in a different part of the country to most of the English kids in her class and sees herself as a 'foreigner' (if that is a correct term to use in this instance) and is actually quite proud to be different. I am happy for the Polish classes to start, I just do think the onus should be more on the Polish to learn English for the good of the school as the interpretors ARE having an impact on the schools budget xx

I think if I had a child at that school I would be more interested in how or if my child was having lesson time disrupted and what could be done to counteract this. I wouldn't be bothered about the after school activities as I have a choice whether to let my daughter attend. As the activities are run by parents then there is no costs. Also how are the Polish childen expected to learn English without an interpreter? Maybe you could approach the interpreters and ask if anybody needs help with learning the language, start up an english learning club or something Sue xx

I do have those concerns Sue. This is sort of the cherry on the icing on the cake if you know what I mean? We are told that they have a legal obligation to take in children wherever they may come from if there is room and it is a decision that is made over the head of the school and comes from county level. So in a way where that sort of thing is concerned, I do feel a bit powerless.xx There are parents that have offered their services for an English club but the school seem reluctant to take them up on it. I really can't understand why. You are right though, maybe that is the answer - to push harder for that to see what the interest would be amongst the Polish kids/adults . xx

stick the letter up heads nose Rosex

And if you feel powerless hun...how do those kids feel. They can't even speak the language yet to express their opinion. I just feel sorry for any child who isnt as wanted as the rest. I know this doesn't apply to you...it's just how I feel. Sue xx Ps don't approach school about an english club, It's got nothing to do with them. Set it up as a community based project. Approach you councillor and see if they will become involved. Be a woman on a mission!! lol Sue xx

Not quite the same but my grandfather is the eldest of 10 children, at least 4 of his siblings brought their children up speaking Welsh at home and they went to Welsh speking schools. Grandfather and 4 siblings brought their children up speeking English in english speeking schools (1 sibling childless). When we had family parties the Welsh speeking children were told to speek only English during the party and were corrected if they spoke Welsh as the English speekers didn't understand. The youngest 3 of my grandfathers neices and nephews are about my age, all spoke Welsh at home and school and had problems intergrating with the local children in the villages where they lived until they learnt English in Secondary School but I learnt Welsh in school from the age of 3 and could attempt to communicate with them. With regards to Polish classes in School it could be a good Idea as it will initially give the children a level playing field to communicate on but you really you would need a class to teach the Polish children English and ensure that their is an agreed program that will give each class a set topic to teach (e.g.) The family, things at home, subject names ...). We had a Turkish girl in my comp and she was sent to the SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinater) for language support, this girl was put on the same computer program as I was for dyslexia and other girls were on for being behind their peers but the poor girl was go bright! She was 12 when she joined the school and picked up English in a few months and now speeks it fluently - unfortunately her father and uncles still have trouble speeking English dispite having a take away and being in the UK for 8 years. Hope the children and families settle in and pick up the language quickley. Lunar

Yeah I know what you mean Sue. I do feel for them, it must be horrible, isolating and scary for them, these kids didn't ask to leave Poland. I honestly would like to help. The ones I can talk to are lovely kids and their parents, again the ones I can talk to, are good hard working people. It's such a shame that people like me who are happy to help do end up feeling this sort of resentment when it's really not necessary if a bit of common sense was applied. xx

Hey I dare you to take it a step further and apply for funding from the lottery as a community based project for integrating children from other countries. You just need a name now for your project ha ha Sue xx Ps How good are we...sorted!! Our next mission Muffy...if you choose to accept...is sorting out world peace!! lol xx

PMSL er I think I will pass on that one thanks Sue. LOL. Nice talking to you though xx I will give your comments re the community based project some thought though. I do feel very strongly about this. Thanks for that xx

Well , considering that English is the most spoken Language throughout the world then i dont think you need to be that high up in the common sense department to realise which language would be most beneficial to learn . But there again we are talking about Enland arn't we ? The politically correct would push for us British people to learn every other language which is likely to settle here , just so nobody from the rest of Europe or wherever they come from can say we are biased and give one country preferential treatment over another country.

The good thing about Polish children is they are not held back in acclimatising to their new country by religious constraints. Total immersion works really well in teaching any language ,really all your classes need for a while is an extra pair of hands or two.even parent helpers are great. You will find this is a short term problem as when this first wave of children learn english they will be able to intergrate other children more easily as they will bridge the gap for them. My sons class has 3 completely non english speaking dutch children,it has taken a few months but they are going really well,there is a teachers aid in the classroom and one of the local dads who happens to speak Dutch goes in and helps them with their reading,which he really enjoys As for the afternoon classes,I think they are a lovely idea,the world is too full of people not getting on,Im sure the children will thoroughly enjoy them