Pre-school practices in Cornish language

The pre-school, funded by the Cornish Language Partnership, will holdweekly sessions at the college's purpose-built creche in the CamborneJarenza Centre.

The parent-led sessions will be run by volunteers for two hours everySaturday morning.

Children aged two to six will learn Cornish through play while theirparents are in the classroom learning the language. They will be taughtCornish songs, numbers and basic phrases, cook regional food and learnabout traditional festivals and customs.

Parents will help make Cornish language resources for the children, suchas storybooks and flash cards.

Professionals with specialisms in Cornish will also be brought in towork with the children.

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, a teacher from Wales and a member of the workinggroup for the Cornish Language Partnership, set up the pre-school inresponse to an independent study into language in 2000, whichhighlighted the benefits of bilingualism.

He said, 'I've had the idea for a while and after the Cornish languagewas officially recognised in 2005, I decided it needed to happen.Cornish is used more widely now and much more accepted than it oncewas.

'Initially we will run the school every Saturday during term-time as apilot to see how many parents are attracted, but our long-term aim isoperate during the week too.'

If it proves successful Mr Tal-e-bot hopes to set up other Cornishnursery schools and run a class for couples thinking of having a baby sotheir child can be brought up with the language at home.

CORNISH PHRASES
Dydh da - Hello
Fatla genes - How are you?
Pyth yw dha hanow? - What's your name?
Dyw genes - Goodbye