What is the value of the Welsh language in Primary Education?
What
is the value of the Welsh language in primary education?
The value of the Welsh language in primary schools has become more perceptible over the years. Welsh is the oldest language in Europe and the most common after English. (O’Hagan, 2014) In 1989, the National Curriculum introduced Welsh into schools and by 1990, statistics showed only ‘one in every four primary school children were taught in Welsh’. (Beardsmore, 1993, p.11) The Welsh Government promoted teaching the language further and implemented compulsory rules that children aged 3-16 years old are taught Welsh as a first or second language. This was to encourage children to learn, understand and build pupil’s confidence with applying the language in different situations and ‘enabling the Welsh language to thrive’. (Welsh Government, 2015, p.6)
The Welsh language has many
values in primary education and ‘cultural, cognitive and practical benefits’.
(Donaldson, 2015, p.58) The value is strengthened in schools as those who are
taught and pick up the language can use this employable skill for future jobs. By
knowing Welsh as a first or second language is advantageous in the workplace
and may be useful to communicate and understand other welsh speakers.
Secondly, Welsh is now valued
more as it has moved into the early years in English-medium schools, with the
goal that all foundation classes will be completely bilingual. (Hofkins, 2007) This
has been developed by the Welsh language strategy. (Welsh Government, 2012)
which opens many opportunities for primary children to pick up the language. Donaldson
reshaped the teaching of Welsh in all schools and believes this will create a
better foundation for the subsequent learning of third and fourth languages.
(Tinsley and Board, 2015) Research illustrates that developing children can
acquire two or more languages with ease and pick up language at a good level of
ability. (Nicoladis, Rose, Foursha-Stevenson, 2010) This validates the
importance to teach Welsh at this stage as they are ‘able to make better links
between languages and understand grammatical concepts’ (Tinsley and Board,
2015) it contributes to a child’s overall cognitive development.
Despite its perceived benefits,
teachers believe that Welsh is declining rapidly and the negative attitudes
parents have towards it being taught as a subject has influenced a change. Teachers
believe that there is a decline in Welsh speakers due to recent policy changes
which has made an impact on language learning. The increase on pressure in core
subjects has left a weakening in the languages department and has contributed
to a reduced level of students choosing Welsh. (Tinsley and Board, 2015)
Moreover, English-speaking parents are supportive of the bilingual system
though they are concerned with the discontinuation of English in some schools
and feel their child will struggle. As some have stated that they do not feel
confident using Welsh outside lessons or schools. (Donaldson, 2015) However,
schools urge parents to realise that they should not deny their children the
opportunity to flourish as bilingual citizens. (Cosslett, 2017)
Teachers who teach Welsh in English-medium
schools should focus on how to enhance pupil’s communication and understanding.
To ensure that the children are comfortable with practising the language. Over
the years, Estyn has stated that one-hour lessons each week of Welsh is
unacceptable and the reason behind underperforming pupils. Pupils learning Welsh
as a second language require more extensive timeframes and materials to fully
develop confidence and understanding. (Lewis, no date) Children require a more
wider support with learning Welsh and ensuring they are gaining foundation
knowledge which they can transfer to other languages. Children should be
educated in Wales cultural past and present which increases the value of Welsh and
may regenerate the language.
Additionally, the Welsh
language can be valued more using technology. As it enhances a child to learn,
remember and understand in different ways which has aided language learning.
The welsh government has emphasised the importance of technology so that Welsh
speakers can ‘conduct their lives electronically through the medium of welsh,
should they wish.’ (Welsh Language Service, no date) Another way to reinforce the
language and keep it circulating. Lastly, an important factor towards promoting
the value of Welsh further is employing more qualified Welsh language teachers
in non-welsh speaking areas. As this would promote the use of the language
however there is a shortage in teachers which is limiting the exposure of the
language and has resulted in current statistics indicating one fifth of wales
can speak Welsh. (Welsh Government, 2018)
In conclusion, there are many
values of the Welsh language in primary education as it provides them with an
employable skill, has cognitive benefits and an education about the history of
the language. To keep Welsh language thriving it is important to have an
increase in Welsh teachers and children who are willing to learn.
References:
Beardsmore, H., B. (1993) European models of bilingual
education. Longdunn Press, Bristol.
Cosslett, R. L. (2017) How
sad that English-speaking parents fear their children being taught in Welsh.
Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/22/sad-english-parents-afraid-children-taught-welsh
(Accessed: 11/03/18)
Donaldson, G. (2015) ‘Successful Futures: Independent
review of curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales.’ Available at: http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/22165/2/150225-successful-futures-en_Redacted.pdf
Hofkins, D. (2007) Wales
watching. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2007/may/01/schools.uk3
(Accessed: 10/04/18)
Nicoladis, E., Rose, A., & Foursha-Stevenson, C. (2010)
‘Thinking for speaking and cross-linguistic transfer in preschool bilingual
children’. International Journal of
Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 13(3), p.345-370.
O’Hagan, E. M. (2014) Why
Welsh should be taught in British schools. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/22/welsh-taught-in-british-schools-scottish-independence-referendum-english-wales-scotland
(Accessed: 10/04/18)
Tinsley, T. and Board, K. (2015) Wales: bilingualism untapped in further language-learning.
Available at: https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/wales-bilingualism-untapped-further-language-learning
(Accessed:11/04/18)
Welsh Language Service (no date) Welsh Language Service. Available at: http://www.welsh-language-board.org.uk/
Welsh Government (2012) ‘A living language: a language for living’,
Welsh Language Strategy 2012–17.
Available at: http://gov.wales/docs/dcells/publications/122902wls201217en.pdf
Welsh Government (2018) An
overview of Wales from the statistics we publish. Available at: http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/wales-summary/?lang=en
(Accessed: 11/04/18)
Welsh Government (2015) ‘A curriculum for Wales – a curriculum
for life.’ Available at: http://gov.wales/docs/dcells/publications/151021-a-curriculum-for-wales-a-curriculum-for-life-en.pdf
Hi Sophie,
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed reading this blog and there are many interesting points you have discussed. I liked how you began with a brief history of the Welsh language backing this up with secondary sources, and how you then went on to talk about how the Welsh government has promoted teaching the language. In addition, it was nice to see that you linked your work with Donaldson and how Welsh has many values within Primary education and then stated them from a credible sources however it would have been nice to see other quotes from his work including the successful futures which suggests the importance of the language within schools and how Donaldson is backing the Welsh Government in saying Welsh has a part in the national curriculum.
Overall, I really enjoyed your blog and how you incorporated key analysis relating to appropriate secondary sources.