The Project’s Partners

The aim of the Welsh Government is to have a million Welsh speakers by 2050. This is a long-term aim, and the education system has a key contribution to make in order to make it happen.

In order to achieve the aim, the curriculum will need to be developed in order to ensure that all learners in Wales are able to develop their Welsh language skills for social use and in future work. One of the key aims within the 2050 Welsh language strategy is to establish positive practices in the use of the language, as well as formal and informal opportunities to use the Welsh language socially.

The strategy notes that there is a need to plan provision for pupils which not only gives them the opportunity to use or practice the Welsh language, but which instils in them the positive aspects of the language, which will mean that they decide to use it. Welsh in education: Action plan 2017-21 was published to set out the direction for the development of Welsh-medium and Welsh language education over the four years, in line with the vision of Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers and Education in Wales: Our national mission, Action plan 2017–21. In the context of the new curriculum there is a commitment to develop transitional approaches to Welsh language learning, teaching and assessment, with the aim of ensuring an increase in the number of confident Welsh speakers within the statutory education system and ensuring, in the future, that all learners are able to use Welsh after leaving school.

The Welsh Government is happy to support the Bardd Plant Cymru scheme. Through the grant scheme to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language, they have invested regularly in Mentrau Iaith, the Urdd, the National Eisteddfod, Young Farmers' Clubs, Merched y Wawr, Cymdeithas Eisteddfodau Cymru, and local newspapers to provide new and varied opportunities for families, children and young people to use their Welsh socially outside school hours.

The Welsh Government is also aware of the need to widen the informal opportunities for children and young people in order to bridge the gap between education and the wider community. Beyond the boundaries of the school, there is still a need to work closely with key community partners and organisations on the ground in order to provide exciting opportunities to use Welsh outside school hours.

www.gov.wales