Speaking out

Language use is not a special need at this early excellence centre, says Julian Grenier Sheffield Children's Centre is in the heart of Britain's fourth largest city, but staff are more likely to think of it as being at the centre of the global community. 'We have 125 children under five here who speak 21 different languages,' says Chrissie Meleady, the centre's chairperson. 'We don't think that speaking more than one language is some kind of special need. It increases opportunities. In fact, we promote multi-lingualism for all our children, including children who are monolingual English speakers.'