I was working in a Welsh school today. I arrived a little early as a result I found myself waiting with the mums for the children to enter the building. I always use any opportunity I can to brush up on my Welsh as no-one in my family speaks it I have to search out strangers to "amarfer" practice.
The mums were only to pleased to help me out and I was surprised at how much I remembered I thought that I had become more than a little rusty. I noticed to my surprise that when some of the ladies talked amongst themselves they were talking in English. I asked them why as their children would gain more if they had conversations in Welsh, that's how they pick up language listening to it every day.
With shamed faces they explained that it was easier and quicker to speak in English. I could tell that they could see the irony of the situation though, sending their children to Welsh school to learn Welsh but not making the effort themselves. In the play yard children are encouraged to speak in Welsh in fact I know that it is frowned upon to speak English, I think the teachers ought to concentrate on the parents, especially the fluent Welsh speakers and get them to lead by example.
Having said that I probably came across the only Welsh speakers who lapsed into English today as I have been at many a party where I hear mums speaking entirely in Welsh to their children and to other people.