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Free Welsh lessons for young people and teachers in bid to reach one million speakers

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 11:20, Monday September 26th, 2022.
Last updated: 19:02, Wednesday October 18th, 2023

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Young people aged between 18 and 25 can now access free Welsh lessons as part of a Welsh Government initiative.

Free lessons are also available to teachers, headteachers and teaching assistants, in a bid to increase the number of Welsh speakers.

The Welsh Government is aiming to reach one million Welsh speakers by the year 2050, through its Cymraeg 2050 strategy, which launched in 2017.

When enrolling onto Welsh courses with the National Centre for Learning Welsh, 18 to 25-year-olds will not be asked to pay.

What is the National Centre for Learning Welsh?

The National Centre for Learning Welsh is an independent body funded by the Welsh Government. It is responsible for Welsh language learning in Wales.

Meanwhile, education staff will be able to access a new online portal, where they can find a variety of courses, including virtual lessons, face-to-face lessons and self-study courses.

The initiative comes as part of the Welsh Government’s Co-Operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru.

Jeremy Miles, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “Growing the number of educators who can teach through the medium of Welsh is key to achieving our aim of a million Welsh speakers by 2050, and this makes it as easy as possible for them to have access to Welsh courses for free.

£6.4m plans to boost number of Welsh speakers in borough

“Providing free lessons to 18 to 25s means that they can continue to develop and improve their Welsh ability and to use the language within their work and social lives.”

He added: “Cymraeg belongs to us all. I would encourage all teaching staff and young people who want to learn Welsh for the first time or who want to improve their Welsh to take this opportunity.”

Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell, who is a designated member as part of the Co-Operation Agreement, said: “Everyone in Wales should have the opportunity to learn Welsh and experience the cultural and social benefits it brings.

What is a Designated Member?

Designated members are those Members of the Plaid Cymru Senedd Group appointed by the Leader of Plaid Cymru and whose names are provided to the First Minister.

Welsh Ministers and Plaid Cymru’s designated members will, at the political level, jointly agree matters within scope of the Agreement, while recognising that formal and legal responsibility for those decisions still rests with Welsh Ministers. 

Plaid MS Sian Gwenllian is the lead Designated Member, while Cefin Campbell MS is the other designated member.

Source: Welsh Government

“The rollout of free Welsh lessons for young people and those in the teaching profession is another step towards making it as easy as possible to learn and speak Welsh and to achieve the target for a million Welsh speakers and beyond.”


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