Common Questions
How does it work?
Pupils between the ages of 7 -11 start at the Welsh-medium school of their choice and then attend the centre part time for 2 years - two days for the first year and one day for the second year. Pupils follow a carefully structured course and become fluent orally as well as cultivating reading and writing skills.
How do you deal with the curriculum as a whole?
The centres are staffed by qualified, experienced teachers. Although the emphasis of the course is learning to speak, read and write Welsh your child will also experience other aspects of the curriculum when teaching Welsh using a range of teaching methods within a thematic approach.
Do the pupils have school lunch?
School lunch is available to everyone at every site. Pupils can buy lunch in the canteen if they wish or bring sandwiches. Contact your Language Centre to inquire about prices. Lunch will be free if your child/children are entitled to free school meals.
Is transport available?
Transport is provided free of charge by the Education Authority. The staff of the Language Centres will make arrangements when your child starts at the Language Centre.
Is there a cost to attend the Language Centre?
No. The Centre is funded by Pembrokeshire Education Services - there is no cost to you.
What if I don't speak Welsh?
Don’t worry! By now, hundreds of children have taken advantage of our Language Centres in Pembrokeshire with the majority of parents coming from a non-Welsh speaking background. Be positive and supportive and support your child to speak Welsh with friends and neighbours. You will also get good support from your chosen school and the Language Centre. They communicate with parents in both languages and there is plenty of support to help with school work.
Will learning Welsh affect my child's English?
It won't! In fact, it could even help your child's English. By learning two languages at the same time, children become more aware of how languages work in general. Recent results suggest that children who receive a bilingual education do better in subjects across the curriculum - including English! Research shows that being able to speak and use two languages improves a child's ability to use and learn a language in general.
Should I learn Welsh alongside my child?
Some parents, after choosing a Welsh-medium school for their child, decide to learn Welsh as well. It's a great opportunity to learn together, to practice your language skills on each other and spend worthwhile time together. Learn Welsh Pembrokeshire has a variety of courses suitable for learners at all levels.