Many parents of Welsh-speaking children cannot understand the language

A helpline is being launched to help the growing number of parents whose children are learning Welsh, but who do not speak the language themselves.

The service, staffed by former teachers, offers advice on how to help with homework set in Welsh and assistance with vocabulary.

It launches at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Casnewydd in Newport on Monday.

Headteacher Gwenda Roberts said: "I think it's an extra provision that will come in very useful for parents."

The Welsh Language Board has chosen the school in south-east Wales because it is in one of the more Anglicised parts of Wales and has a high proportion of parents who do not speak Welsh.

The helpline is currently a service for parents with children between the ages of seven and 11 (Key Stage 2), but it is hoped to expand the service to the secondary sector during 2006.