Bilingual education every day
At Niebieska Przystań, our English teacher speaks English with the children all day long — not only in separate sessions, but also during play, meals and ordinary everyday moments.
This way bilingual education becomes a natural part of the preschool day, not an extra task to tick off the timetable.
Parents often ask us what this actually looks like — is bilingual education a separate session once a week, or something more? At Niebieska Przystań, English is with the children throughout the day, in natural situations, not just in a set-aside “language lesson”.
English all day long, not just in sessions
Our English teacher speaks English with the children throughout the day — at the morning greeting, while playing in the themed corners, at the table during meals and in everyday routines: washing hands, tidying up toys, getting dressed for a walk. Alongside the English teacher, the children also have Polish-speaking teachers, so they always have a point of reference.
An everyday example: at breakfast the English teacher consistently asks a child, “Do you want more milk?” — every day, in the same language. Children quickly learn to understand it from the context, even before they start answering in English themselves.
How children learn a language without pressure
Young children don’t learn a language the way adults do — from a textbook and a vocabulary list. They soak it up through repeated situations, songs, rhymes and play. That is why, for us, English is not a separate subject to “pass” but an environment the child moves around in.
Groups at Niebieska Przystań have a maximum of 14 children, so the teacher can respond as they go to how each child is getting on with the language — whether they’re keen to try new words or prefer to just listen for now. Both paces are fine.
It’s also worth reading our post on how learning through play supports a child’s development — bilingual education is based on exactly the same principles.
When a child needs more time
Some children get used to a second language faster, others more slowly — and that’s a normal stage, not a reason to worry. We have a psychologist and a speech therapist on site, so if a teacher notices it would be worth taking a closer look at a child, we can do that without having to look for help elsewhere.
If you’re wondering what the best age is to start learning a second language, we wrote about it in more detail in our post when to start learning English with your child.
What can you do today?
- Put on short English songs or cartoons at home — even 10 minutes a day makes a difference.
- Don’t translate every word for your child — let them work out the meaning from the context, just as they do at preschool.
- Praise attempts to speak English, even if they aren’t perfect — it builds the courage to keep learning.
- Ask the teacher which phrases your child uses most often, and repeat them together at home.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need to know English already to start at your preschool?
No. Most children start from scratch — we introduce English gradually, through play and everyday situations, not through tests or entry requirements.
Do the teachers speak to the children only in English?
Our English teacher speaks English with the children all day — consistently, so that they get used to the language naturally. There are also Polish-speaking teachers alongside, so your child always has a point of reference and doesn’t feel lost.
Can bilingual education delay speech development?
It’s a common worry for parents, but research doesn’t confirm this risk — bilingual children develop speech at their own pace, just like children who speak one language. If you have doubts about your child’s speech development, we’ll be happy to talk about it with our on-site speech therapist.
From what age do you accept children into bilingual groups?
Children join us from the youngest preschool groups — the earlier a child gets used to a second language, the more naturally they take it in.
What is the first week like for a child who doesn’t know English?
Teachers use gestures, pictures and repeated phrases so that the child feels safe before they start understanding more words. Getting used to the language goes hand in hand with settling in at preschool.
Want to know more?
The best way to see what a bilingual day at Niebieska Przystań looks like is with your own eyes. You’re welcome to get in touch and come and see the preschool.
💙 From Niebieska Przystań 💙
We believe a second language sinks in best when a child isn’t even thinking about it — they’re simply playing with it.
