DWLP10

Pwyllgor Diwylliant, Cyfathrebu, y Gymraeg, Chwaraeon, a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol | Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Datblygu’r ddarpariaeth Gymraeg ôl-16 |Development of post-16 Welsh language provision

  Ymateb i Ymgynghoriad / Consultation Response  

 

Enw / Name:	Owen Evans
Rôl / Role:	Prif Arolygydd Ei Fawrhydi dros Addysg a Hyfforddiant yng Nghymru
Dyddiad / Date:	08.04.24
Pwnc / Subject:	Datblygu’r ddarpariaeth Gymraeg ôl-16

 

Estyn's response

We regularly scrutinise the work of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the National Centre for Learning Welsh. We have a specific inspection cycle for the National Centre for Learning Welsh and its Welsh Learning providers. We inspected the National Centre for Learning Welsh for the first time in 2021 and a second inspection will be held during this  summer term. Our inspection of the Centre was mentioned extensively in the Rapid review of the National Centre for Learning Welsh2021, which, in turn, influenced the Proposals for a Welsh Language Education Bill.

We see evidence of the work of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol during inspections and engagement with the further education and apprenticeships sectors. During the 2024-25 educational year we will also carry out a thematic inspection to review Welsh-medium and bilingual training plans for the further education and apprenticeships sectors. The review will evaluate the effectiveness of the various plans to develop the language and pedagogical skills of staff in these sectors; from those who are fluent and confident in their Welsh skills to those who are at the beginning of their journey of starting to speak and use the Welsh language.

Both bodies have a key role to play in ensuring that appropriate training is available in the post-16 sectors and in supporting the achievement of the strategic goals of Cymraeg 2050.

It should be noted that we recommended in our inspection report on the National Centre that it should 'Share the methodology for successful teaching and second language acquisition with other relevant sectorsto support the Welsh Government’s aim of achieving a million active Welsh speakers by 2050’. During an inspection of a Learn Welsh provider, evidence was seen of the growing influence and importance of the Welsh for Adults sector. This was noted in the following case study: Increase the number of Welsh speakers in the education workforce.

In the same report, on page 5, we note 'On the whole, learners acquire the Welsh language more quickly and effectively than pupils at the corresponding levels in English-medium secondary schools.'

The Welsh for Adults sector has an extremely important role to play in influencing our education system across the age span to produce active speakers. The following case studies show how the ethos and actions of the sector are succeeding:

Turning learners into users of the Welsh language.

Formal and informal learning approaches that enable learners to assimilate into the Welsh-speaking community

We believe that it is necessary to carefully consider the effect of any reduction in linguistic interventions and the development work of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and National Centre for Learning Welsh on the Welsh language and on young people's opportunities to acquire and use it. Although we have not yet inspected the Centre this year, we understand that considerable initial work has been done to influence and expand effective practice in other sectors.

We are concerned that a reduction in current funding levels could undermine the recent increase in the breadth of influence of the National Centre for Learning Welsh. Without at least maintaining current funding levels, we are concerned that there will not be an increase on a meaningful scale in the number of active Welsh speakers.