Welsh Language Development

“The Welsh Language is one of the seven areas of learning in the Foundation Phase.” [1] (Keane, A)

The Welsh Language Development within the Foundation Phase means to learn the language naturally and gradually through the use of first hand experiences and active involvement. Children are found to be making progress in the development of the welsh language but it is found that their reading and writing skills are not as well developed and of as high standards.

Schools can offer many opportunities to help children succeed with their welsh language skills, with such things as learning through structured activities, active learning such as play, rhymes and songs that will allow children to become familiar with the language, and also the use of repetition. If children are to enjoy the way they learn, it will benefit themselves as well as the teacher by creating a positive attitude towards the welsh language. Although it has been noticed by ESTYN that the encouragement towards learning welsh from some teachers has been very limited, supported by Ann Keane, “In the best schools teachers are highly skilled, passionate and plan fun and stimulating activities that engage and excite children, but in minority of schools staff are not devoting enough time to developing Welsh language.” [2]

Activities encouraged developing Welsh speaking skills include:

·         Nursery rhymes

·         Singing

·         Greeting and expressions

·         Active play

·         Story

Whilst doing my own research I came across this website containing an article titled ‘Teachers tongue-tied over Welsh language’. Reporter Darren Evans comments on the sudden drop in the number of people who speak welsh over the years, ‘from 21 percent of the population in 2001 to 19 percent in 2011’. [3]

Experiencing the study of Welsh language throughout my primary and secondary education I felt as though as I moved on through the years the encouragement to continue my studies of the Welsh language was reduced significantly in secondary education. As soon as children have the choice as to whether they wish to continue with learning the Welsh language, there becomes no need to push that this is something they should aim for by teachers. This is something that campaign group, Rhag, have highlighted, according to them ‘the teaching of Welsh as a second language had been a ‘failure’.

It is not known whether the Welsh language will be around in years to come with the decreasing amount of people speaking and learning it, and the lack of encouragement from the education system.

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[1] Keane, A. ESTYN Chief Inspector

[2] http://www.estyn.gov.uk/english/news/news/children-in-wales-are-making-progress-in-developing-their-welsh-language-skills-in-the-foundation-phase/ (accessed 2014)

[3] Evans, D. http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6314569 (18/01/2013)