Witaj und 2plus - Sorbischer Schulverein e.V.

(v)(vi)
tancy, administration, translation,
secretarial work, marketing and sales,
the law and teaching. Bilinguals
can offer potential employers more
flexibility. In Wales, fluency in
Welsh in particular geographical
areas is required to obtain teaching
and administrative posts, and is of
prime value in business and commerce.
Bilingualism obviously does
not guarantee a meal ticket but it
often gives a competitive advantage
and opens up more possibilities.» 9
Twf also emphasises to new parents
the cultural and social benefits of
being bilingual such as having access
to two or more worlds of experience
and culture, being able to
communicate with family and friends
in both languages and so develop
a closer bond with other members
of the Welsh-speaking community
or older family relatives.
In collaboration with the Welsh Language
Board, Twf has produced a number of information
and marketing materials and strategies
which disseminate its message to
health and childcare professionals and to
parents.
Bringing bilingualism
into the work of midwives
and health visitors
Since its outset as a small pilot project, one
of Twf’s key strategic priorities has been to
raise the awareness and understanding of
ChrΩ[åan
cyrkwinski chΩr
wobrubi ny[por
midwives and health visitors of the advantages
of bilingualism so that they can pass on
this message to pregnant women and parents.
Twf’s work in this area has included, for
example:
Working with key officers in the Health
Department of the Welsh Assembly Government
to include Twf’s message in all
relevant policies and documents.
Work with the authenticating body Health
Professions Wales and colleges in Wales
to include Twf’s message in the mainstream
education and training of midwives
and health visitors in Wales.
Working with senior directors of midwifery
and health visitor services in order to
integrate Twf’s message into local policies
and documents.
Hold national conferences (e.g. Understanding
Bilingualism for health sector
lecturers and mentors) and organise workshops
for midwives, health visitors and
other health and ‹early years› partnership
organisations.
Produced information leaflets for health
and childcare professionals on the benefits
of bilingualism and advice on raising
children bilingually that they can pass on
to parents. Most recently, information on
language and the brain development of
babies and young children are proving to
be very popular among health and childcare
professionals and with parents.
Twf staff work at a local level with individual
midwives and health visitors to supply
them with materials and resources for
▼
9 Welsh Language Board, Developing Bilingualism in Children:
Advice for Health and Childcare Professionals in Wales. p.12
■
■ 46 ■ 47
■