German play group / teaching German? Post Reply

[Vanilla]

Hello,

I'm not a German speaker but my husband is a native speaker, so I am very keen to teach my kid German. Although my husband tries to speak in German at home, I think it is not quite enough so am thinking how I could expose my kid to the language more.

I see play groups in other languages around but never seen a German one. Does anyone know a German playgroup around SW11? I would also love to hear how other families raise their kids German/English bilingual - do you send your kids to the German School in Richmond, Judith Kerr or to any class?

I would really appreciate any advice, thank you!

[LittleMissSunshine]

Hi Vanilla,
I know of two German groups that meet regularly in an informal setting in SW11. One is aimed at Mums with babies/toddlers and the other one is more for Mums with pre-school children. If you are interested, pm me and I can email you the contact details of the organisers. As far as I know they are all either native speakers or have partners who are native speakers. (I only attended once so far due to timing issues)
Furthermore, there is a German team called Heidi&Peter that currently runs both playgroups and German lessons in Knightsbridge - I heard that there are plans to open lessons in SW11 too. You can google them and enquire about the status of the SW11 lessons.
Hope that helps and if you would like more information, then let me know.

[silver]

Hi Vanilla,

My daughter (6yrs) is also half German and her father has spoken to her in German since birth. We are not together and I don't speak any German, so we were both worried she would not become bilingual. I never found a German playgroup but she simply spent holidays with him in Germany and with her German grandparents etc and has learnt the language beautifully! She only ever answered in English for the first 4 years though! Suddenly, aged 4/5 she started speaking in German. We considered the German school in Richmond but it was too far, besides that, I am English and we had a place at Honeywell which we weren't going to waste! As a compromise she attends the Saturday school, located at the German School in Richmond. She started last Srptember and enjoys it. I'm pleased to say her German written and reading skills are also top notch! They also celebrate German culture and tradition and the German parents all help out. I think the kids can start at 3/4 yrs but I thought 5/6 yrs preferable because I'd like her to attend throughout primary school and not get bored. I can send you registration details if you're interested. The waiting it's is quite long.
A word of warning though - my daughter will not speak a word of German in front of me!!!! Apparently this is not unusual. She cannot bear it when I attempt to say words in German either!!!!!
Hope that helps ....

[Vanilla]

Hello,
thank you very much for your replies, they are very helpful!

LittleMissSunshine, I'll PM you to for the groups' contact details.

Silver, I'll have a look at the German School website, I'm sure they should have the registration detail? I might PM you though in case I cannot find it on the website...

Thank you again!!

[catlady]

Hi

I'm German myself and have been speaking German to my little one since birth. He has just turned one, dad is English.

I haven't been myself but have been meaning to check out this play group in Herne Hill. They have been recommended to me by another German mum.

http://www.hanselandgretel.org.uk

I would be keen to find out details about the play group in SW11 though so will PM LittleMissSunshine too.

[Henriettab]

HI
We are an English/German family in the local area
It is true to say that there are not many opportunities for German speaking children in the area (covering Chelsea/Battersea/ Clapham/ Wandsworth etc) So much so that it is actually my intention to set up a German baby and toddler group. I am in the early stages of gathering names and emails together so hopefully in the next couple of months we can start something.

Heidi and Peter is certainly worth a shot. http://www.heidiandpeter.com/2.html

Also try the German YMCA- they do a toddler group on Wednesday afternoons http://www.german-ymca.org.uk/for-child ... group.html

Musik Garten is also a lovely thing to do http://www.musikgarten-wimbledon.co.uk

Also the Bolingbroke Early years centre is a good meet up place. I know a few local lovely German mums and babies/toddlers meet on the Friday afternoons there. Its not officially a German groupie but you can make friends with other German children etc.

I hope this helps.
******
If anyone else reading this is interested in doing a local German babies and children group please Personal Message me with your name and email and i will be in touch directly when we start the new group.
Thanks

[LittleMissSunshine]

Vanilla, CatLady - I have sent you both a PM. Henrietta, I will PM you too with regards to your new group.