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Categories > Your Questions — General > Stressed out mum looking for advice
 
 


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Alexandra
  Posted   Reply with quote  #1 
Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone is/has been in the same situation I am and if so, would you be so kind as to give me some tips? I am a Greek mum living in the UK with my partner who is English and does not speak a word of Greek. The town we live in is very small and there are no other Greeks here. So our little girl-she is now 5 months old- is continuously exposed to English even when I am at home because even though I speak Greek to her I still have to speak in English with my partner. The situation will only get worse when I go back to work and she spends the whole day with my partner’s parents and sister-in-law who will only speak to her in English. My in-laws have even started buying her books and toys to teach her English as if she is not getting enough exposure to it as it is. And whenever we have visitors or my partner’s family around I have to speak in English so I don’t think the OPOL strategy will really work for us. My partner is not adverse to the idea of our daughter learning Greek but does not really get involved in the process and has left me to decide how to go about it… I would be extremely grateful if anyone who is in the same situation has any tips to share.

Thank you in advance

Alex
 
Alex
  Posted   Reply with quote  #2 
Hello,
I don’t have children on my own yet so you may not take my word for it, however, I’m a teacher – both: regular and esl. I’m also about to start teaching in yet another language. From my observations, experience, and reading about multiple language learning, I would suggest you tried to speak to your daugther in Greek even if you speak English to others (including your husband). In addition, make sure that she watches cartoons, listens to music and stories in Greek on daily basis (or as often as possible – maybe even at your in-laws’ house). Spending vacation in your native country would certainly be helpful – specially that your daughter could learn Greek from her peers (that’s already a huge motivation). I wouldn’t stress out about the grandparents – that’s what good grandparents do . I’m sure it will help her in an English school – reading to a child is very important. (I recently saw a commercial about books that you can make a recording to. So even if you’re not there, your child can flip the pages and listen to you reading the story.)
All the best!
 
Sandra
  Posted   Reply with quote  #3 
Hello
I know how you feel. I live in the USA.. Im swiss and speak swissgerman.. my husband is american and doesnt speak swiss nor does he wants to learn..he does wants me talk to my kids tough but its hard when no one else is around to support you… besides my kids are older so it makes it hard…
so here are a few things that I started doing:

SKYPE: I have them to talk or right now listen to my dad as often as possible.

CD/DVD Put some greek childrens songs/stories in the dvd players

Go to you tube and find some greek songs etc…
http://wwitv.com/television/84.htm here you should find some greek tv channels..
join http://www.cafemom.com

http://www.meetup.com 
I would just say KEEP TALKING..
also talk to yourself, comment what you doing.. like: Mommy is putting the laundry away..
Good luck
 
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