Funding Contributes to 4,000 Children Achieving Welsh Fluency

Alys, aged 12, experienced a moment of realization while on stage, proudly holding her winner’s medal for a Welsh speech, when she found herself unable to comprehend a question posed to her. This incident prompted her to request her mother to transfer her from an English-language primary school to a Welsh one. The Welsh government reports that Alys is among 4,000 young individuals who have achieved fluency in Welsh since the introduction of “late language immersion centres.” Alys expressed her belief that her family is “really happy that I can now speak Welsh.” In 2020, a sum of £8.8m was allocated to establish late language immersion centres across all council areas in Wales. This initiative aligns with the Welsh government’s objective to achieve one million Welsh speakers by 2050. Alys, a resident of Newport, made the decision to learn Welsh at the age of 10, following her participation in the learner’s recitation competition at the Urdd Eisteddfod in 2019. She recounted, “When I was given my medal I was interviewed in Welsh and I couldn’t understand what was being said so I asked mum to send me to a Welsh school.” She further explained, “A month later nothing had happened so I asked again and then she knew I was serious.” Following her persistent efforts, Alys enrolled in a Welsh medium school, with her older brother joining subsequently. Her brother, Evan, commented, “Because of all the cultural activities it felt like joining a secret club. It’s a lot of fun and I feel part of the Welsh language community.” The Office for National Statistics reported that in 2021, an estimated 538,000 individuals aged three and above in Wales, representing 17.8% of the population, indicated an ability to speak Welsh. Newport currently operates one Welsh medium secondary school and four Welsh medium primary schools. Ysgol Nant Gwenlli commenced operations as a seedling school three years prior. It is projected to accommodate over 400 children upon its relocation to a new site in Pillgwenlly in March. To encourage these educational opportunities, the council has created a promotional film featuring Alys, Evan, and other individuals discussing their experiences. Cllr Deb Davies, the deputy leader of the council, stated their expectation that the video would encourage local families from diverse backgrounds to explore Welsh medium education. She further elaborated, “Many of our children, particularly in this part of the city will already have more than one language because they come from a background of different ethnicity so it’s about telling them this is accessible for them as well.” Rhiannon England, who is tasked with assisting children in language acquisition at Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is-Coed, reported an observed rise in individuals deliberately opting for Welsh medium education. Elin Maher, National Director of the campaign group RHAG, Parents for Welsh Medium Education, remarked that Welsh medium education “is about getting both languages from early on but not everybody knows that.” A spokesperson for the Welsh government affirmed that immersion education is “key to our goal of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050.” The spokesperson added that “The impact of late immersion centres on reaching this target has been significant, and the demand for the provision is growing.”