Friend told "just allow your son to forget Polish" by school.

Mister H 11 | 761

11 Jul 2009 / #91

Of all the people who have been playing the "victim" since mass immigration started (i.e. just after World War II, not 2002), Poles are probably close to the bottom of the list.

Then why mention racism ? What's being discussed has nothing to do with racism. Whatever this teacher's reasoning behind what she has said, no one seems to be suggesting she is a racist.

Didn't mean to go on so much but hey children need anything that in today's climate is an advantage to them.

They do indeed and excellent written and spoken English will put this little chap streets ahead of many in a day and age where it's starting to be regarded as less important

Being able to speak another language will only put him further ahead, but at the end of the day it will be his English that will get him good exam grades and job interviews.

The same goes for his parents in terms of making their prospects the best that they can be.

Forgetting Polish would be wrong. The strive towards bilingual status would save a lot of hassle in the future.

I agree.

osiol 55 | 3921

11 Jul 2009 / #92

Supposedly if you speak a second language to your child they are likely to pick up on any mistakes you make. So it is better to speak your first language with the child.

My ex-girlfriend's English is very poor. Her kids are learning much quicker, but hearing their mother making mistakes could be confusing. Mothers in children's eyes are all-knowing and all-powerful. Hearing mistakes does indeed make problems. If anything, she should actually learn English from her children.

If she was told by a teacher that she should speak English in the family home, her answer would probably be something like "no understand" and if she did understand, I'm sure she would disagree. Watching English instead of Polish TV would make a much bigger and better difference.

Mister H 11 | 761

11 Jul 2009 / #93

Then why doesn't she ?

Her children don't want to be one of those kids (of which there are many from various backgrounds) that end up having to act as a translator for their parents in later life.

If she was told by a teacher that she should speak English in the family home, her answer would probably be something like "no understand" and if she did understand, I'm sure she would disagree.

Why would she ? Surely she doesn't want to miss out on things her children enjoy doing because she can't understand English enough to keep up with the conversations they must have with their mates ?

Watching English instead of Polish TV would make a much bigger and better difference.

This is the sort of person people mean when they talk about people not integrating when they move to another country.

Lir

11 Jul 2009 / #94

Hearing mistakes does indeed make problems.

I think the only problem the children will have is that they will pick up their Mum's poor English accent.

Children are quick to grasp another language, that never seems to be the main issue.

I know of some people <who are not from the UK> who speak to their young children in broken English and their accent is passed onto their children.

In my case my parents never spoke to me in English and as such, even though Polish was my first language, I have a perfect English accent.

If anything, she should actually learn English from her children.

I can see where you are coming from on this but I think she should learn English for herself really, so that she can integrate better in this Country. She probably will always speak in Polish to her children.

:)

Archer2009 - | 5

12 Jul 2009 / #95

My parents speak 7 to 8 languages each - they taught us none of those languages not even English ...

Teach your kids as many languages as you can they'll thank you for it in later life.

Mister H 11 | 761

12 Jul 2009 / #96

I think the only problem the children will have is that they will pick up their Mum's poor English accent.

Children are quick to grasp another language, that never seems to be the main issue.

Given that the mother in this case lives here as well, I'm finding it hard to understand the fact that her poor English seems to be seen as something that is ok to continue.

I can see where you are coming from on this but I think she should learn English for herself really, so that she can integrate better in this Country. She probably will always speak in Polish to her children.

Even in front of their friends ?

Teach your kids as many languages as you can they'll thank you for it in later life.

I'm sure they will, but how far will they really get if they struggle in the one langauge they actually need if they want to live in the UK ?