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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

Response to the impact of a flat budget for Welsh learners in post-16 education

Funding plays a crucial role in shaping the landscape of Welsh language learning among young people.  Adequate funding allows educational institutions to provide essential resources, such as textbooks, teaching materials, and language-specific software.

It enables schools and colleges to offer specialised language courses, workshops, and extracurricular activities that enhance language skills. Teacher training and recruitment funding supports professional development for teachers, work-based assessors etc ensuring they are well-equipped to teach Welsh effectively. It encourages recruitment of skilled Welsh language educators for example with training for existing staff.

The support of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol helps with a plethora of support including work-based assessor training and support, advice and guidance, promotion and awareness, facilitates promotional campaigns to raise awareness about the benefits of learning Welsh. This can encourage participation in language events, competitions, and cultural festivals.

They also support with infrastructure and facilities as funding contributes to creating language-friendly environments within Post 16 educational institutions, for example digital platforms and multimedia resources which enhance learning experiences.

Most Important is sustainable funding ensures continuity of Welsh language programs from primary to post-16 education, it prevents program cuts due to budget constraints.

Specifically for Post-16 courses and career prospects, adequate funding for post-16 Welsh language courses encourages learners to continue their language journey. It opens doors to Welsh-medium higher education and career opportunities. Funding has helped support producing bilingual resources for vocational courses preparing students for specific professions.

The Cymraeg 2050 strategy, with its ambitious goal of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050, relies heavily on various factors, including funding decisions related to post-16 Welsh language provision.

Adequate funding ensures the continuity and expansion of Welsh language provision beyond secondary education, again for the private independent providers with support from Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and awarding organisations etc funding supports robust post-16 programs, more learners will continue their language journey, contributing to the overall trajectory and increased participation in post-16 Welsh language apprenticeships aligns with the goal of nurturing fluent speakers.

Monitoring and adaptation, funding decisions impact monitoring mechanisms and regular assessment informs adjustments to achieve targets thus ensuring progress toward the one million speaker’s goal.

In summary, strategic funding positively impacts young people’s Welsh language learning experiences, influences their choices regarding medium of instruction, and contributes to a vibrant Welsh-speaking community in Wales, funding decisions significantly influence the trajectory of Cymraeg 2050. Strategic allocation can propel Welsh language growth, while inadequate funding may hinder progress. The Welsh Government’s commitment to sustaining and expanding Welsh language provision remains pivotal and any deviance to this will have a significant negative impact.