On the Urdd Eisteddfod Field today (29 May, 2024) the National Centre for Learning Welsh announced a comprehensive Learn Welsh training programme for the education workforce in Wales.
The programme offers varied and flexible training so that teachers and teaching assistants can use more Welsh in the classroom.
Online self-study courses, confidence-building opportunities, community-based courses and intensive courses are part of the offer - with the ultimate aim of supporting Welsh schoolchildren to learn and enjoy using the language.
According to the Annual Education Workforce Census (EWC) 2023, there are 28,273 teachers in Wales, 33% of whom are able to speak Welsh, and 26.5% of whom teach through the medium of Welsh or have the confidence to do so.
Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: “The Centre’s work has expanded in recent years to include Learn Welsh training for young people aged 16-18, and the education workforce – two vital audiences in terms of realising the Welsh Government’s ambition of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050.
“The Centre supports the Government’s Welsh education workforce plan, which aims to increase the number of teachers and support workers able to work through the medium of Welsh and teach Welsh, and we’re delighted to announce this comprehensive programme tailored for the education workforce.”
Meinir Ebbsworth, the Centre’s Strategic Director, added: “Our new programme offers courses at all levels – from beginners to Welsh speakers who want to build their Cymraeg confidence - and has been developed in a flexible way so that teachers can study at a time that suits them and their school.
“In addition to learning Welsh or building confidence to use the language, teachers and assistants will also be introduced to methods that can help them teach Welsh to children and young people."
The Learn Welsh training programme is available for free to the education workforce in Wales. For more information, please use the following link: Education Workforce | Learn Welsh
