‘Broken promise’ claim over language education
THE Welsh Government has come under fire from campaigners who claim it is failing to keep a commitment to replace Welsh second language with a single continuum of learning Welsh in schools.
According to the revised guidelines to the new curriculum for Wales published by Education Minister Kirsty Williams, two paths to learning the language remain.
The new curriculum sets out expected “progression steps” for each learning area, which are described differently for pupils in Welsh medium and English medium schools.
Toni Schiavone, vice-chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s education group, said: “The new curriculum breaks the promise made by the government to replace Welsh as a second language with a single continuum of learning the language.
“This commitment was made following a report (commissioned by the Welsh Government) published by Professor Sioned Davies in 2013 which recommended that this was the best way to improve standards in Welsh.”
Colin Nosworthy from the group added: “Progression steps (in Welsh language) should be the same but more slowly, for example, for those in English medium schools. This is not a continuum if there are two paths. It’s not one, it’s two.”
In the report commissioned by the Welsh Government – One Language for All – Prof Davies recommended replacing Welsh second language with a continuum where all pupils would have part of their education taught through Welsh and, “as a consequence the Welsh second language element of the Welsh programme of study would be removed along with the term Welsh second language”.
Mr Schiavone added: “This decision shows a real lack of ambition as well as an unwillingness to invest in a system of teaching Welsh that would ensure every pupil would leave school being able to speak
Welsh. Why treat the Welsh language in an inferior way to the English language, and why allow the continuation of a system that has failed completely during the last 50 years?
“The Welsh Government has lost a golden opportunity to present the language and culture of Wales to all the pupils in Wales without exception, and that is hugely disappointing.”
He added: “The new curriculum also threatens the status and use of the Welsh language by making English a compulsory subject despite that not being recommended by anyone.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Our commitment has not changed. Descriptions of learning for languages, literacy and communication in the curriculum for Wales are based on a ‘continuum of learning’ meaning learners start with little or no language and develop towards proficiency.
“Descriptions of learning reflect the different pace and depth of learning in different language learning contexts and schools and practitioners will now develop their curricula to ensure that all learners, aged three to 16, make progress in Welsh along the language learning continuum.
“This is a common sense way forward, ensuring equity, whilst recognising the current workforce position and building towards a position where the same descriptions of learning the language would be used right across the board.
“The descriptions of learning reflect the review of Welsh second language’s One Language for All recommendation to have one continuum of learning for Welsh with clear expectations for pupils learning Welsh in English-medium, bilingual and Welsh-medium settings. They have been developed by teachers and experts.”