The Value of the Welsh Language in Primary Education



The Value of the Welsh Language in Primary Education



Language is a part of our identity according to Cremrin and Arthur (2014). The importance of the Welsh language has been recognised by the Welsh Assembly Government whilst in the process of planning the new curriculum. Their focus is to maintain the welsh language for all in which they describe children’s welsh language skills as an important part of the early years sector (Welsh Assembly Government, 2017). With language being our form of communication to peers, teachers and family members (Cremrin and Arthur, 2014), the Welsh Assembly Government have decided to maintain the identity of the country by continuing the welsh language. Implementing the welsh language into welsh schools will reshape welsh teaching and allow young people to use their welsh language skills in a wider society (Welsh Assembly Government, 2017). However, with the welsh assembly government aiming to increase the welsh language within the curriculum, there is a shortage of welsh speaking teachers (BBC News, 2019).



“The shift from engaging Welsh as an actual “living” language to understanding it as a language of “study,” coupled with perhaps an undue emphasis on a qualification, seems to diminish the value of speaking Welsh”

Smith (2016)

The welsh language became a main medium of primary school instruction during the 1940’s in areas where welsh was widely a spoken language (Davies, 2014). However, according to Baker (1985) describes the 20th century as a history of decline for the welsh speaking population. Smith (2016) refers to the diminishing value of the welsh language in his quote, which he believes is being perceived as study and no longer a living language. This may have increased the concern of the welsh assembly government by providing a policy, that all pupils should study welsh from ages 3-16 either first or second language (Jones, 2016). The value of the welsh language has gained popularity in welsh medium schools according to Cardiff Council (2019). With 420 primary schools delivering welsh medium education throughout Wales (Welsh Assembly Government, 2017). The Welsh Assembly Government (2017) admit the importance of the welsh language and how education system plays a role in nurturing and creating welsh speakers. However, the difficulties come to light on how successful the training that practitioners are given and how long practitioners will take to adopt new skills (BBC News, 2019).

Practitioners will need to foster a teaching method that the new curriculum will provide. As Donaldson’s (2015) implies the importance of multiple language learning in Wales. This indicates to students and teacher’s using the welsh language as a second language through learning. With all pupils having to follow the same curriculum by 2022 (BBC News, 2019), a requirement for teachers speaking the welsh language is needed for Wales. Long (2014) emphasises the importance of language teaching, that it should be reassuring that it is being carried out efficiently. Baker (2002) states in Ferguson (2006) also state that there needs to be a range of support mechanisms for the welsh language. Highlighting Baker (2002) and Long (2014) teacher’s require support in teaching the welsh language successfully to students across Wales considering the lack of welsh speaking teachers. According to Donaldson (2015) multiple language learning has shown a challenge for curricula design especially in primary schools, this is due to the lack of time it’s needed in investing necessary resources. With teacher’s having to deliver the welsh language through teaching multiple subjects (Cardiff Council, 2019), this may show concern for teachers as they are responsible in delivering the welsh language to pupils. It is necessary that teachers need support in introducing students to the welsh language with challenges occurring such as lack of time. The welsh government has considered the teacher’s needs, which they have highlighted that their aim is to provide an intensive welsh language training to teachers and teaching assistants through a sabbatical scheme (BBC News, 2019).

Adopting the welsh language can be difficult in teaching and learning yet being able to speak two languages can pose as an advantage for future professions. Kordt (2018) explains further that creating a teaching multilingualism environment based on pupils’ abilities, can lead to an emergence of affordances. Kordt (2018) continues, stating that an environment that encourages multilingualism should include factors such as being understanding, having fun with the language, transferable and learnable. However, not all students learn the same way which in tales that the factors in this particular environment that Kordt (2018) refers to may not be suitable for all students (Kordt, 2018). Considering what Kordt (2018) implies that not all students learn the same in a singular environment, Donaldson (2015) relays the aim to have enterprising and creative contributors within the new curriculum, that language skills will be used in different settings. This allows for students to adopt a setting that works for their individual learning.

The value of the welsh language adopts a range of advantages for students in learning in Wales. Cymraeg (2015) imply that the welsh language benefits students by allowing individuals learn other languages easier. With students fostering a skill that can enable them in learning other languages from different countries can be an advantage in communicating with other cultures and traditions (Cymraeg, 2015). The Welsh Assembly Government (2017) also state that Welsh can be a learning base for additional languages to learn other cultures. Additionally, the Welsh language can be beneficial for future employment for individuals having the benefit to communicate with a wide range of cultures and people (Ferguson, 2006). Being a fluent welsh speaker myself I have had opportunities to use the language as well as the English language. Throughout my education Welsh has given me the opportunity to explore my options of future employment. I am privileged to be given an option to work in English, Welsh or both. From experience Welsh taught me about other countries such as Patagonia who speak the same language. With further knowledge of other languages including Welsh, I believe that the welsh language implemented in the curriculum will give students the access to explore cultures, traditions and collaborate with other countries.

The value of the Welsh language is growing with Donaldson (2015) aiming to include the language for all in the new curriculum by 2022. However, the challenges that are highlighted in support for teacher’s (Ferguson, 2006) teaching the language and the shortage of Welsh speaking teachers in Wales (BBC News, 2019) may be difficult to achieve in such a short period of time. The value of the language does have advantages to students connecting with other cultures (The Welsh Assembly Government, 2017) which may show opportunities for future employment for students.

References

Baker, C. (1985) Aspects of Bilingualism in Wales. England: Multilingual Matter LTD.

BBC News (2019) BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46909295 (Accessed: 12th March 2019)

Cardiff Council (2019) Cardiff Council. Available at: https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Schools-and-learning/Schools/welsh-medium-education/Pages/default.aspx (Accessed: 12th March 2019)

Cremrin, T. and Arthur, J. (2014) Learning to Teach in the Primary School. Oxon: Routledge.

Cymraeg (2015) Welsh Assembly Government. Available at:  https://cymraeg.gov.wales/learning/schools/children-ages-4-11/?lang=en (Accessed: 12th March 2019)

Davies, J. (2014) The Welsh Language: A History. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.

Ferguson, G. (2006) Language Planning and Education. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Jones, M. (2016) Research Briefing Welsh-medium education and Welsh as a subject. Available at: http://www.assembly.wales/research%20documents/rs16-048/16-048-english-web.pdf (Accessed: 11th March 2019)

Long, M. (2014) Second Language Acquisition and Tash-Based Language Teaching. England: John Wiley and Sons.
Kordt, B. (2018) ‘Affordance theory and multiple language learning and teaching’, International Journal of Multilingualism, 15 (2), pp. 135-148

Smith, K. (2016) BERA. Available at: https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/living-not-just-learning-the-welsh-language (Accessed: 11th March 2019)

Wales Online (2017) Wales Online. Available at: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-language-living-breathing-beautiful-13574718 (Accessed: 11th March 2019)

Welsh Assembly Government (2017) Welsh in Education Action Plan 2017-21. Available at: https://beta.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-02/welsh-in-education-action-plan-2017–21.pdf (Accessed: 11th March 2019).

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