Category Archives: Dyfodol

MEETING WITH THE CHAIR OF THE CROSS PARTY GROUP ON THE WELSH LANGUAGE

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We had an encouraging and constructive meeting this week with Jeremy Miles, Chair of the Cross Party Group on the Welsh Language.

The theme of the discussion was Welsh education – a key element in ensuring the success of the Welsh Language Strategy, and an urgent priority in planning towards its progress. This was our main message, along with pressing for an improvement in the quality and commitment of local education authorities’ Strategic Welsh Language Schemes, and ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to the aim of creating a million Welsh speakers. It was emphasised that concentrating on creating Welsh schools, and moving towards changing the medium of schools to Welsh would yield the best results in terms of creating Welsh speakers for the future.

Consistent with Dyfodol’s core vision, it was also emphasised that any planning has to take place within the context of widespread promotion the Welsh language. In relation to education, this context would include raising awareness of the advantages of the Welsh language and the importance of ensuring a sufficient workforce of qualified and committed teachers.

We now look forward to discussing the needs in terms of education later this month with the Education Secretary and the Welsh Language Minister.

DYFODOL PAYS TRIBUTE TO GWILYM PRYS-DAVIES

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith have paid tribute to Baron Gwilym Prys-Davies, who died earlier this week.

The lobbying organisation fully appreciates his untiring work for the Welsh language. He was active and innovative in many policy areas, including the development of the Welsh Language Act of 1993, and he was staunch supporter of Welsh medium education.

As a native of Llanegryn, in Meirionnydd, he strongly believed in protecting the Welsh language and in ensuring its future as a community language.

THE WELSH LANGUAGE; BEYOND THE SCHOOL GATES

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Thank you to everyone who came along to our public meeting at Arad Goch in Aberystwyth recently. We hope that you enjoyed the session, and that it provided food for thought.

Siôn Aled Owen gave a fascinating presentation on the theme of; The Welsh Language;Beyond the School Gates. This presentation was based upon his important research into the use of Welsh by pupils in Welsh medium education outside the classroom.

Although the children and young people’s attitude towards the language was overwhelmingly positive, Dr Owen said that urgent action needs to be taken to ensure that this goodwill becomes concrete reality. More has to be done in order to create opportunities to speak Welsh informally and to encourage confidence in its day to day usage. His research shows that enforcement is not the answer, but rather, that behavioural patterns need to be changed, while recognising the key roles played by the family (including the extended family) and the media.

We were pleased to hear that this research confirms one of Dyfodol’s key messages; that language policy has to concentrate on creating opportunities to use the language as a natural choice, and to promote confidence and pride in its everyday use. Siôn Aled Owen’s research shows that the foundation, in terms of goodwill is firmly in place, and that Government now has to build upon this.