A clear learning pathway to becoming a Welsh speaker…

Some reflections from Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, on the recent conference on the Welsh language.

It was a real privilege to welcome more than 200 delegates—colleagues, partners and language champions—to our national conference on the Welsh language (Welsh Government and National Centre for Learning Welsh Conference: A clear learning pathway to becoming a Welsh speaker – supporting learners of all ages, 4 December).

These individuals came from every corner of Wales to share experiences, learn from international experts, and explore together the opportunities and benefits of creating a single clear learning pathway for becoming a Welsh speaker, for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Growing a community of Welsh speakers

The Centre’s main goal is to create Welsh speakers who enjoy using the language in their everyday lives, and the conference offered a valuable opportunity for us to share our expertise and our experience of language learning and acquisition.

More people than ever before are choosing to learn the language with us. In 2023–2024, over 18,000 people completed our courses—an increase of 45% since the Centre assumed responsibility for the Learn Welsh for adults sector in 2016.

These figures reflect the success of the Centre’s national curriculum and courses, based on the international CEFR framework, which describes language skills. There is now one clear learning pathway for adults to follow—from starting out as beginners to reaching the level of confident speakers.

One pathway, one language journey

Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, spoke powerfully about the Welsh Language and Education Act, which was passed unanimously in the Senedd a few months ago. The Act will support the Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 strategy, and its target of one million Welsh speakers.  It will create a lifelong Welsh-learning pathway based on the CEFR—this will be the “silver thread” running through the Act.

Looking beyond Wales: learning from international experts

It is important for us to look to other countries that celebrate bilingualism and use the CEFR to shape their language policies and teaching methods.

We were delighted to hear from one of the international leaders in the field, Valdemar Martyniuk from Poland. Valdemar specialises in Applied Linguistics and contributes widely on the subject. He provided a strong foundation for our discussions by explaining the origins, purpose and use of the CEFR—and how it has become a key tool in language learning.

We also heard from:

Professor Paula Kristmanson, University of New Brunswick, Canada – on using the CEFR in the context of French-language learning;

Professor Cecilie Manes Carlsen, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences – on applying the CEFR in the labour market and in second-language acquisition.

These contributions reminded us that Wales is part of a wider international community of countries working to deliver clear, consistent and effective approaches to language learning.

An inspiring day

Using a recognised framework offers a unique opportunity for us to support the Welsh language journeys of individuals of all ages, and we look forward to continuing to work with all our partners to realise the ambitions of the Act.