Language groups’ plea ‘not to deprive a singlechild of the Welsh language’

Over a dozen individuals and organisations have urged the Education Minister to ensure any changes in the curriculum ensure that every child leaves school fluent in Welsh in an open letter released today (Monday, 23rd February).

The plea comes ahead of the publication of Professor Graham Donaldson’s review of the curriculum due to be published later this week. Among the signatories of the letter are Wales’ Archdruid Christine James, who has learnt Welsh herself, along with the heads of a number of organisations including the Mudiad Meithrin, Merched y Wawr, Mentrau Iaith Cymru and teachers’ union UCAC.

Referring to the new curriculum, the letter states: “We agree [with the government] that it needs to be founded on Welsh values, values of fairness and equality for every child – from whatever background they come. As organisations and people who promote the Welsh language day to day, we look forward to seeing how the report intends to deliver the First Minister’s ambition, as outlined by him in August last year namely the need for ‘all learners in Wales – whether they attend Welsh-medium or English-medium schools … to speak Welsh confidently’.

“We agree with Carwyn Jones that every child should be fluent in Welsh – it’s not fair to deprive a single child of the skill of being able to communicate in the language. We are extremely grateful that Professor Donaldson has already suggested that the Welsh language will be one of the founding principles in his recommendations for the new curriculum.

 

Dear Minister

We write to state our support for your aspirations for Graham Donaldson’s review of the curriculum. We agree that it needs to be founded on Welsh values, values of fairness and equality for every child – from whatever background they come. As organisations and people who promote the Welsh language day to day, we look forward to seeing how the report intends to deliver on the First Minister’s ambition, as outlined by him in August last year, namely the need for “all learners in Wales – whether they attend Welsh-medium or English-medium schools … to speak Welsh confidently”.

We agree with Carwyn Jones that every child should be fluent in Welsh – it’s not fair to deprive a single child of the skill of being able to communicate in the language. We are extremely grateful that Professor Donaldson has already suggested that the Welsh language will be one of the founding principles in his recommendations for the new curriculum.

While believing that we should not deprive any child of Welsh-medium education, we are completely supportive of Professor Sioned Davies’ recommendations regarding how the language is taught in English-medium schools at the moment. We look forward to seeing how Graham Donaldson recommends implementing those proposals as soon as possible.

As Professor Davies stated in her report published in September 2013: “If we are serious about developing Welsh speakers, and about seeing the Welsh language thrive, a change of direction is urgently required before it is too late.”

We would like to draw your attention to two of Professor Davies’ recommendations we believe should be prioritised, namely:

“… use the National Literacy Framework for Welsh as a basis for a revised curriculum to include:one continuum of learning for Welsh with clear expectations for pupils learning Welsh in English-medium, bilingual and Welsh-medium settings … As a consequence the Welsh second language element of the Welsh programme of study would be removed along with the term Welsh second language.”

“… extend the use of Welsh as a medium of instruction in English medium primary schools; and set targets to increase the use of Welsh-medium learning across the curriculum, based on best practice, in English-medium schools.”

We hope there will be a chance, during the series of meetings the Government intends to hold after the publication of Professor Donaldson’s report, to discuss specifically with you and Professor Donaldson the implications of the recommendations. Certainly, we need to work together in order to plan for the growth in the number of Welsh speakers and the use of the language in our communities we all want to see over the years to come.

Yr eiddoch yn gywir,

Tegwen Morris, National Director, Merched y Wawr

Meirion Davies, Chair, Mentrau Iaith Cymru

CAER (The Education Society of the European Regions)

Dr Gwenllian Lansdown Davies, Chief Executive, Mudiad Meithrin

Craig ab Iago, Chair, Cynghrair Cymunedau Cymraeg (Welsh Communities Alliance)

Dr Huw Thomas, Welsh-medium schools specialist

Gerald Latter, Chair, Cronfa Glyndŵr yr Ysgolion Cymraeg

Eleri Roberts, Chair, Cymdeithas Cerdd Dant Cymru

Miriam Williams, President, Undeb Myfryrwyr Cymraeg Aberystwyth (UMCA)

Elaine Edwards, General Secretary, teachers’ union UCAC

Jamie Bevan, Chair, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg

Lynne Davies, National Chair, RhAG (Parents for Welsh medium education)

Bethan Whittall ac Arwel George, CYDAG

Geraint Wyn Parry, Chief Executive, Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru

Penri Williams, Chair, Dathlu’r Gymraeg – Celebrating Our Language

Professor Christine James, Archdruid of Wales