PLANNING THE REGENERATION OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE CONSULTATION DISCUSSION POINT 5: CREATING WELSH SPEAKERS – PROMOTING LANGUAGE USE

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The latest discussion point of our consultation on Planning the Regeneration of the Welsh Language is how to promote the use of the language.

As before, we would be very grateful to receive your comments, suggestions and any practical experience you may have. You are welcome to use the questions and template below or send your comments in any other format that suits you.

Below is a summary of Dyfodol’s demands in relation to the role of the workplace. If you would like to read the full text of Planning the Regeneration of the Welsh Language, a copy is available on our website, dyfodol.net

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our discussion. We look forward to hearing from you – do get in touch:

[email protected]

or telephone 01248 811798

DISCUSSION POINT 5: PROMOTING LANGUAGE USE

Dyfodol believes that:

As we all know, it is one thing to ‘know’ Welsh, but another to use it. The tendency of pupils in Welsh-medium education to use English is almost a cliché, but not as much attention is paid to the fluent Welsh speaking Assembly Member who chooses to use English in our national Senedd, despite there being every facility to use Welsh, or indeed the Welsh-speaking witness appearing before a committee who turns to English. What this demonstrates is the need for a change in attitude and culture and to foster confidence, pride and resolve.

 It is therefore obvious that we need to set about intelligently and energetically promoting the use of Welsh.

We have already argued that it is essential to establish language use during the early years, but this alone is not enough. What therefore are the factors which influence language choice? Here are some:

  • The presence of the language within the social environment, both visually and aurally
  • That Welsh language services are available, on offer and accessible; particularly in shops, cafes, bars etc. A cheap, simple but highly effective solution would be for all Welsh-speakers providing a service to wear an appropriate badge.

 We believe that the Welsh Language Commissioner and the language standards process should place particular emphasis on these two aspects.

Another key matter is developing the Welsh language within the workplace. We should look at developing a Welsh-speaking workforce and Welsh-speaking workplaces – starting with the public sector in those areas where the language is strongest.

Even more important however is the range and quality of all kinds of activities and experiences that are available in Welsh.

Much of this work is to be done at grass-roots level, through a network of Welsh Language Centres working closely with the local Mentrau Iaith, the Welsh-medium schools, Mudiad Meithrin and other organisations. The aim would be to create a powerful, lively and creative network, nurturing the vitality of the Welsh community which becomes attractive to all.

 DO YOU AGREE WITH US? HAVE YOU ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THE USE OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE, EITHER GENERALLY OR WITHIN A SPECIFIC SPHERE OR SECTOR?

PLANNING THE REGENERATION OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE CONSULTATION DISCUSSION POINT 4: CREATING WELSH SPEAKERS – DEVELOPING THE WORKFORCE

Reply

The latest discussion point of our consultation on Planning the Regeneration of the Welsh Language is Developing the Workforce.

As before, we would be very grateful to receive your comments, suggestions and any practical experience you may have. You are welcome to use the questions and template below or send your comments in any other format that suits you.

Below is a summary of Dyfodol’s demands in relation to the role of the workplace. If you would like to read the full text of Planning the Regeneration of the Welsh Language, a copy is available on our website, dyfodol.net

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our discussion. We look forward to hearing from you – do get in touch:

[email protected]

or telephone 01248 811798

 DISCUSSION POINT 4: CREATING WELSH SPEAKERS – DEVELOPING THE WORKFORCE

 Dyfodol believes that:

One significant challenge in education, and to which the response is at present insufficient, is developing the workforce, both teachers and classroom assistants, to undertake the work through the medium of Welsh and do so to a high standard. The only way of doing this is to release staff from their posts for extended periods, either to improve their language skills or to learn Welsh from scratch.

This is absolutely fundamental and there is no option but to invest heavily in this. Habe, the organisation responsible for this in Euskadi, has an annual budget of 40 million Euros. If we are serious about creating a million Welsh speakers, we need a comparable sum and to focus on two things:

  • Workforce development, particularly teachers and classroom assistants
  • Supporting parents whose children receive Welsh-medium education, particularly in the early years, who want to create Welsh-speaking homes to learn Welsh or develop their confidence in using it.

 The effect of such investment would be cumulative: creating new Welsh speakers who in turn would produce a host of new speakers through the education and care sectors.

In addition to the above summary, Dyfodol have also written a paper on the Welsh language among the public sector workforce and in the workplace. We concluded that:

  • We need to collect comprehensive data on the language skills of public sector staff.
  • We need a clear policy aimed at providing an appropriate quota of Welsh language workers and workplaces.
  • Establish a 10-year targeted programme for Welsh language skills within public sector workplaces.
  • 4 local authorities to work, or set out a programme for internal, Welsh-language administration: Gwynedd (who currently do so), Ynys Môn, Ceredigion and Sir Gaerfyrddin.
  • We must acknowledge the comparative strength of the language within different areas and set targets based on the percentage of Welsh speakers within these areas.
  • Where it is not practical to aim for Welsh language administration, public sector organisations in those areas should adopt and promote the principle of welcoming and encouraging the Welsh language as a working medium and elevate and appreciate the language as a professional skill.

 DO YOU AGREE WITH US? HAVE YOU ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE ROLE OF THE WORKFORCE AND THE WORKPLACE IN REGENERATING THE WELSH LANGUAGE?