New academic term signals new Welsh language
learning opportunities for lecturers
As students get ready for the new academic year, lecturers working in both the Further Education and Higher Education sectors in Wales will also get a chance to strengthen their skills, thanks to a new Welsh-language learning programme.
The intensive learning programme is being introduced by the National Centre for Learning Welsh, in partnership with CollegesWales/Fforwm Services Ltd and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
The programme is part of the National Centre’s ‘Work Welsh’ scheme, which provides a range of flexible learning programmes for the workplace. It will be held between September 2017 – March 2018, with the aim of increasing the use of Welsh in the Further Education and Higher Education sectors.
CollegesWales/Fforwm Services Ltd will manage the programme in the Further Education sector. Around 200 lecturers, working in diverse fields including Child Care, Leisure and Tourism and Media Studies, are expected to follow the programme.
In the Higher Education sector, the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol will run the programme, providing intensive training over a 20-week period to over 100 members of staff across eight universities.
The programme meets the Welsh language training needs of the Further Education and Higher Education sectors by offering workplace-based training. Tutors will be based in education establishments and staff will be released for training during the working day.
A mentoring scheme, to match new speakers with more experienced Welsh speakers, will be set up alongside the programme. At the end of the programme, learners will be encouraged to continue their studies on one of the National Centre’s mainstream courses, available in communities across Wales.
Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals working in both the Further Education and Higher Education fields to strengthen their Welsh language skills and develop confidence to use the language. The training will be held in employees’ workplaces, at convenient times.
“This training programme, part of our innovative ‘Work Welsh’ scheme, is an example of how Welsh language training can be tailored for different sectors.”
Iestyn Davies, Chief Executive of CollegesWales/Fforwm Services Ltd, said:
“This training programme is an opportunity to start making a real difference to the language skills and confidence of our teaching staff. The programme will enable us to equip our teaching staff with the necessary skills to strengthen the Welsh/bilingual offering to our Further Education learners. We look forward to working with the National Centre and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol on this valuable programme.”
Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, said:
“We’re very pleased to be working with the National Centre on this project to strengthen the use of Welsh in the Higher Education sector. The programme will enable learners to make good progress in a short period of time and put their new skills into action in the workplace and beyond.”
Ends
19.9.17
Picture caption (below)
From left to right: Karen Davies, lecturer in Child Care at Cardiff and Vale College, Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, Catherine Palmer, Lecturer in Complementary Therapies at Cardiff and Vale College, Nicola Buttle, Cardiff and Vale College Welsh Curriculum Co-ordinator and Alison Grainger, Lecturer in Child Care at Cardiff and Vale College.
Karen, Catherine and Alison will be undertaking Welsh language training as part of the new scheme.
