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

Comments

  1. Danielle Jones23 April 2018 at 06:38

    Hi Sophie,
    I 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.

    ReplyDelete

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