English play groups, etc.

[sadlybroke]

Do English speaking families have regular meetups (play groups, etc) in Spain (e.g. Valencia, Alicante, Malaga)?

Our kids' first language is English but we speak Slovak and Hungarian at home. I am afraid they would forget English if we went to live in Spain. I'm thinking a regular contact with other native speakers of English would help them.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by sadlybroke

Do English speaking families have regular meetups (play groups, etc) in Spain (e.g. Valencia, Alicante, Malaga)?

Our kids' first language is English but we speak Slovak and Hungarian at home. I am afraid they would forget English if we went to live in Spain. I'm thinking a regular contact with other native speakers of English would help them.

I'm sure they meet up, but its an informal thing. I dont know of any english playschools. There are some Spanish ones that claim to be bilingual, to encourage spanish children to speak english early. International schools take children from 3 years old and altho there are many different nationalities in their classes, they teach in english and stick to the english education curriculum

Jo xxx

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by jojo

I'm sure they meet up, but its an informal thing. I dont know of any english playschools. There are some Spanish ones that claim to be bilingual, to encourage spanish children to speak english early. International schools take children from 3 years old and altho there are many different nationalities in their classes, they teach in english and stick to the english education curriculum

Jo xxx

we have had a couple of English playgroups around here, but they rarely last long unless thay are attached to one of the International schools, it seems

we have a new one opening soon on the corner of our urb - I think it will be a Spanish one though

[snikpoh]

Originally Posted by sadlybroke

Do English speaking families have regular meetups (play groups, etc) in Spain (e.g. Valencia, Alicante, Malaga)?

Our kids' first language is English but we speak Slovak and Hungarian at home. I am afraid they would forget English if we went to live in Spain. I'm thinking a regular contact with other native speakers of English would help them.

Hi - your flag says that you are 'expat in UK' I guess you're actually in Spain now?

Anyway, we have found that some of the lessons at school are now being taught in English.

I too was/am concerned about my children loosing their English and so try and teach them myself. If this is not an option, I'm sure you will find a lot of ex-pats who would be keen to help your children retain or even improve their English.

[sadlybroke]

Originally Posted by xabiachica

we have had a couple of English playgroups around here, but they rarely last long unless thay are attached to one of the International schools, it seems

Are the ones attached to International schools available to everyone or only to school's pupils usually?

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by sadlybroke

Are the ones attached to International schools available to everyone or only to school's pupils usually?

anyone who is willing to pay can use them

[sadlybroke]

Originally Posted by snikpoh

Hi - your flag says that you are 'expat in UK' I guess you're actually in Spain now?

No, still in the UK, researching our options.

Originally Posted by snikpoh

Anyway, we have found that some of the lessons at school are now being taught in English.

Is it a bilingual school or a regular Spanish primary school?

Originally Posted by snikpoh

I too was/am concerned about my children loosing their English and so try and teach them myself. If this is not an option, I'm sure you will find a lot of ex-pats who would be keen to help your children retain or even improve their English.

I hope so too. Thanks for your response.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by sadlybroke

Are the ones attached to International schools available to everyone or only to school's pupils usually?

They're more pre-schools than playschools. Your children start there and they stay there til you want to take them out. But it s is 5 mornings and/or afternoons a week.

Jo xxx

[sadlybroke]

Aha, I see. I checked the price lists of several International schools such as Los Olivos in Valencia. They seem quite pricey for pre-schools - 1120€ enrollment (one off) and 400€ tution fee (I suppose it is a monthly fee?).

I meant more informal groups where our children could spend some time with other English-speaking kids.

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by sadlybroke

Aha, I see. I checked the price lists of several International schools such as Los Olivos in Valencia. They seem quite pricey for pre-schools - 1120€ enrollment (one off) and 400€ tution fee (I suppose it is a monthly fee?).

I meant more informal groups where our children could spend some time with other English-speaking kids.

do you mean like 'mums & tots'?...... that's what we used to call it, anyway - it's probably not PC to say that now

anywhere there are English speaking families with kids you'll find groups of mums with the little ones in the parks, cafes & on the beaches

I don't think you need to worry too much really - if you're speaking English at home, & you provide those who can read with English medium reading material (anything at all - magazines, books, websites) & those who can't with maybe videos in English, you won't find them forgetting at all!!