Comments on: Online Parent / Carer Survey

By: Peta Lowry

Peta Lowry — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:55:08 +0000

Hi
LCF Clubs provide fun, interactive language clubs for children age 3 – 12yrs. If you join a club you also get access to their on-line learning tool, Babelzone. Their main languages are French and Spanish and they have some really great resources.

Have a look at http://www.lcfclubs.com.au to see if there’s any clubs near you.

By: Brigitte Lambert

Brigitte Lambert — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:15:59 +0000

In my research on home transmission of German, I met some parents in a situation exactly like yours. They did not let their more limited repertoire deter them and referred to the dictionary when needed. For more input they watched German movies or read German books. An important strategy was to read to the children on a daily basis, which helped both parent and child. Recently I was googling German nursery songs and hit upon a wonderful website, which also provided the music. I’m sure you’ll find something like this for French.

As a resource guide, I recommend the Australian Newsletter for Bilingual Families. If you google this, there is a sample copy which provides information on where to find books etc, and there is mention of a French playgroup. I don’t know where you live, but Hampton Community Centre advertises one and the Ecole Maternelle operates in South Yarra. These groups should also be able to inform you about setting up your own playgroup, or maybe they know of others in your area.

Maybe you can contact French clubs to provide you with social contact – parents do need this kind of support. Don’t give up. I

By: Ricky Onsman

Ricky Onsman — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:51:32 +0000

That’s three great points you’ve raise there, Angela.

I reckon there’s quite a few native English speakers who want to help their kids learn another language but are not necessarily too strong in the langauge themselves. In your case, it might be worth looking at something like LOTE@HOME, which is a clever way of helping families to learn languages together in a day-to-day way at home. Theres a link in the left sidebar.

Second, I’m Dutch-born and still speak Dutch but since my family moved here when I was five, I speak a rather archaic form of Dutch, certainly not much good for talking about anything invented after 1960. When I do get a bit of Dutch happening with my kids, I run out of words.

Lastly, I think your list of needs is spot-on. Hopefully this website will help with the first two items as we build up a store of knowledge and interested people, and maybe it can help to get things moving on the third front as well.

What area do you live in, Angela? Maybe someone knows of an appropruiate playgroup already – you’d be surprised what’s going on nearby unbeknown to you.

By: Angela McBride

Angela McBride — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:09:03 +0000

I speak French with my son. It is not my native language – I was brought up solely speaking English and learnt French and Italian at school and university.

I do try and speak French with my son most of the time. Generally i enjoy the experience, however, at times i lack motivation and do find it difficult to be persistent. Also, I find that i do not have as great a wealth of vocbulary in French as I do in English. I struggle with general domestic and maternal vocabulary. My ability to communicate with my son therefore feels some waht limited.

My needs
1) To develop a resource library of books, dvds, videos, cds, in french for my son
2) To develop a network of people with whom i can talk about such issues and discuss solutions
3) to be able to create a playgroup near my area of FVrench speaking people (native & non-native)