Baby foreign language classes

[owena 10]

Hi,

 

We've got a new baby boy (4 months) and one of the things I'd love to give him is a second language. They hoover stuff up like a sponge at a young age and exposing them to a foreign language would definitely give them a leg up. Also, my Dad has retired to France so long holidays there would be much easier for the little man if he can speak the language when he gets a bit older. I've seen babble and early years foreign language classes in other cities but I'm not aware of any in Sheffield. Can anyone help?

 

Thanks

[orbs 10]

hello there, we were just talking about this with our grandsons mum, his uncle suggested running a CD during the night as they will 'absorb' the the language. dont think she will though!

Edited April 22, 2011 by orbs
corrected a spelling mistake

[unamamma 10]

Hi,

if your little one will spend few months in France every year, it will be a lot easier: kids absorb languages like sponges.

For now, personally, instead of french classe for babies, I'd look for a french au-pair or babysitter, better if not english-speaker, and would ask her to speak only in french to the baby. Or, if you speak french and want to try a DIY approach, you can start speaking in french to the baby right now. There are many websites that can help you in this, here some:

http://www.bilingualforfun.com/

http://www.multilingualchildren.org/

http://www.omniglot.com/language/articles/bilingualkids1.htm

http://www.bilingualism-matters.org.uk/

http://www.enfantsbilingues.com/

http://www.raising-bilingual-children.com/

but the list is endless, just search on the net.

For later... there are also courses specially made for kids, for example: http://www.early-advantage.com/muzzytrialoptin.aspx

http://www.littlepim.com/

http://www.chillola.com/index.html/

But again, I'd prefer for my baby a french playgroup (if any exists in Sheffield, ask the Embassy or Consulate) that structured lessons. Kids have a natural way to learn, and it's playing!

[SamMT 10]

Hi there, this probably is not helpful but I looked for something, for similar reasons when my daughter was about the same age and came up with nothing. As far as I am aware there are no groups in Sheffield until they are old enough for Babble which I think they need to be 3 to attend and it is on a Saturday. I too tried to recruit a french speaking nanny or childminder but failed-it was hard enough finding an English one I felt was right! My only option was an au pair but we didnt want them living with us and only needed cover 2 days a week. Some nurseries claim to teach French but I wasnt too convinced by their French teaching and didnt like the nurseries anyway. There was a French speaking toddler group being set up but it is mainly for French native parents. They did say I could go but I didnt feel my French was good enough as it is my OH who is the linguist and mine is a bit iffy! We bought French books & DVDs (she likes T'Choupi) and visit France every year (but only for week) but whilst she will watch the DVD's she is quite reluctuant to speak it but I just figure that we are exposing her to the sounds and she will hopefully have some sort of start when she is older. She heard some children speaking French on Cartoonito the other day and said 'hey mummy they are speaking MY language - Monjoo is my language' (she says Monjoo rather than Bonjour!). Anyway, good luck. You have a real advantage having family in France. I think it is a great thing to do. So many of my friends are multilingual and us Brits are so useless at it! One of my close friends is Norwegian and speaks to her dog in Norwegian (the dog is from Norway!) and my daugher has started telling the dog to sit in Norwegian which is sweet. I think the key is that she doesnt even realise. It is when you formalise it they tend to resist. If you find something let me know. My first daugther is 3 now & I also have a 4 month old girl :-)

[SamMT 10]

p.s. If you go on the forums recommended don't be put off by people who tell you if you don't do the OPOL model (one parent one language) with a native speaking parent then you should not do it at all as you will teach them mistakes. I was put of my some experts telling me this, but then I looked into it further and feel it is rubbish. As long as they are listening to some native French as well, if they learn some minor errors it is not the end of the world. After all how many English speakers are teaching their children bad English?! It can be ironed out in the future but in the meantime you are giving their brain the flexibility prior to the critical period when they lose the ability to distinguish between sounds in their not native language. Also meant to say that the lady at Babble said she would do a group for little babes if I could get together enough people for it to be cost effective for those attending to cover her time.

[Chez2 10]

Hi, I have Bulgarian lessons with a local lady whos partner is fluent in quite a few languages, French being one of them (i think). I'm not sure if her partner has enough time to help you but maybe his friends do. Perhaps you could do some informal classes or have a chat to them? They charge me £10 per hour for one to one tuition or £15/hour for two of us. Thier own little boy is about 8 months old and they are bringing him up multilingual.

[upinwath 10]

Easy peasy.

 

My kids is picking up three languages; English, Indonesia and Javanese.

The method is simple enough. Use the desired languages at home and those languages on educational TV programs. You'll be able to get French DVDs easily enough.

Try things like "wordworld" if you can get a French version.

The 'few weeks in France' idea is a fine one but long term use is the way to go.

[unamamma 10]

SamMT: If you was told you can go to a French speaking toddler group, just go! Maybe you won't talk much at the beginning, but it will help your french too, and for your daughters it's a blessing to learn through playing with other kids! And keep going with french books and dvds (and don't forget youtube videos!). And, if you were a child, would you prefer to go and play with other kids or to go in a classroom with other kids? There is always time to make them attend classes, if they learn the real language from real people it's much better

Edited April 30, 2011 by unamamma

[SamMT 10]

SamMT: If you was told you can go to a French speaking toddler group, just go! Maybe you won't talk much at the beginning, but it will help your french too, and for your daughters it's a blessing to learn through playing with other kids! And keep going with french books and dvds (and don't forget youtube videos!). And, if you were a child, would you prefer to go and play with other kids or to go in a classroom with other kids? There is always time to make them attend classes, if they learn the real language from real people it's much better[/quote)

 

You are right. It was a combination of plucking up the courage and understanding whether or not I was really welcome. The French lady organising it said she would let me know when the group started and hasn't! I am not sure if it didnt take off or it took off with only French mamas!

[unamamma 10]

I've found that the Staff in the Hillsborough Primary School (Nursery Class) is able to speak French and Spanish:

http://www.asksid.net/serviceprovider.html?&zoneid=&serviceproviderid=1b3e26e2-4617-4b02-8e03-11f5ab498b8f

 

SamMT: so call yourself! and go at least couple of time if they've started, then you'll see if it was just your impression or not!

[BrightEyes1 10]

Hi there, you might be interested in the new baby and toddler language classes that I'm launching in Sheffield in January. They're specially designed for younger children aged 0-3, and you can choose from French, Spanish or Italian.

 

It's called Baby Bright Eyes - it's not letting me post a link as I've only just joined the forum, but you can Google it, or let me know if you're interested and I can PM you some details.

 

Thanks, Sam

[Holly6 10]

Hi, could I have some details please?

 

thanks