The Welsh language belongs to us all. It is one of the treasures of Wales, part of what defines us as a people and as a nation. It is integral to the new Curriculum for Wales.
As a mandatory subject, the ambition is that everyone should enjoy using Welsh, make continuous progress in learning Welsh and gain the confidence to use Welsh beyond the classroom. Every learner, regardless of their place of birth or their home language, will have a relationship with the Welsh language.
Now a new framework has been developed to help English-medium schools and settings develop genuine purpose and authenticity in learning and teaching Welsh in their curriculum.
Developed by practitioners and stakeholders, the framework can help schools plan, design and review Welsh learning and teaching in their curriculum. It sets out experiences, knowledge, skills and dispositions for each of the statements of what matters for the Languages, Literacy and Communication Area and can be found in that Area’s guidance.
The framework does not set out specific teaching resources, so a Hwb playlist has also been developed by practitioners to give a taste of resources that are currently available. Information on where to find further support is also available. Importantly though, resources and guidance will only make the biggest difference when used to stimulate conversations and prompt changes to learning and teaching Welsh for the benefit of all our children and young people.
Our learners have everything to gain from a deeper understanding of their national language and the cultures of Wales.
We would like to thank the following practitioners for their contribution to development of the Welsh framework:
Rachel Antoniazzi
Debbie Bond
Natasha Davies-Puddy
Alyson McKay
Bethan Moore
Yvonne Roberts-Ablett
Anna Vivian Jones
The report from the consultation earlier in the year on the Draft framework for Welsh in English medium education can be found here.
And a case study film from Ysgol Pen y Dre is also available, which featured on this blog earlier in the year.