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What should be the purposes and priorities for the new curriculum?

For the new curriculum I believe the Welsh language should be considered a priority for education. Welsh being a part of the national curriculum of Wales is important for the nation’s cultural identity. Although it is not as popular globally as Spanish or French it is still useful for young children as well as adults to understand the language of their country.

A survey by the Office of National Statistics show that there are currently 814,700 people who are able to speak the language (29.3% of the population), the Welsh Government have created a plan to increase this number to 1 million by 2050 (Welsh Government, 2015).  The minister for the Welsh Language, Alan Davies, admits the plan is an ‘ambitious’ one, however making Welsh a priority for the new curriculum will be crucial for the Welsh Government to reach their goal. Through the establishment of S4C, the Welsh Language Act and compulsory Welsh Language education up to Key Stage 4 and other major campaigns we were able to achieve major milestones in the development of the Welsh Language in modern times. “Those campaigns served far more than just a demand for the specific change in legislation or for the establishment of a television channel. They also reminded us of the importance of the language; of wider issues associated with it, how fragile it could be and how we had to fight to see it continue and flourish. As a result, the foundations were set for the Welsh language to flourish during the latter half of the twentieth century.” (Cairns, 2015).

Currently, the Foundation Phase contributes to the ‘Curriculum Cymreig’ (Welsh Curriculum) by developing children’s understanding of the cultural identity unique to Wales across all Areas of Learning through an integrated approach (Welsh Assembly Government; 2008). All settings/schools will implement a Welsh language educational programme in the Foundation Phase for children 3 to 7 years. Even in settings and schools where English is the main medium of communication, children’s Welsh language skills should be progressively developed throughout the Foundation Phase by implementing the Welsh Language Development Area of Learning (Welsh Assembly Government; 2008). According to the Foundation Phase Framework, “children should experience the familiar world through enquiry…they should be given experiences that help them to increase their curiosity about the world around them to begin to understand past events, people and places, living things and the work people do.” (Foundation Phase Framework, 2015). This demonstrates the importance of the Welsh Language to children from such a young age; which is why I believe Welsh should be an important priority and purpose of the new curriculum. On the other hand, the younger generation who have studied Welsh at school until the age of 16 still do not consider themselves as Welsh speakers, or lack the confidence to use the language beyond the classroom and the playground (Cairns, 2015); which questions the effectiveness of this framework and the current use of the Welsh Language in everyday life.

However, The Wales Office Minister, Alun Cairns, stated that the structures we fought for previously for so many decades are now finally beginning to be put in place, perhaps we as a community have become somewhat complacent. “The legislative changes were important steps but… they didn’t take us to our destination” (Cairns, 2015). Estyn reports show that the overall standard has fallen annually; in fact, pupil attainment levels are lower than in any other subject (Welsh Government, 2013). To some extent we need to reinforce and recreate the drive and motivation we showed to win those milestones and changes. “We need to recognise that no government can simply legislate life into a language” (Cairns; The Welsh Language: A Duty and a Challenge Speech, 2015).

The recreation of the drive to promote and increase the Welsh language for the future, that Cairns has spoken about, has begun by Prof Graham Donaldson’s new curriculum. In the Successful Futures report, languages, literacy and communication has been made one of the six Areas of Learning and Experience. It recommends that all children and young people’s ability to communicate confidently in everyday setting in the Welsh language, including the workplace. Welsh-medium schools should act as hubs for the Welsh language, providing support for teachers and other practitioners in English-medium schools (Donaldson, 2015). Donaldson (2015; p.27) states: “The goals are for a Wales that is prosperous, resilient, healthier, and more equal, with cohesive communities, a vibrant culture and a thriving Welsh language.” This implies that the current curriculum and the new upcoming curriculum both have the same view about promoting the Welsh language. Cairns (2015) suggests that individual, family and community responsibility as well as governments are central to the language’s future.

Alun Cairns in the Welsh Language: A Duty and a Challenge Speech introduced several opportunities to increase the number of Welsh speakers. He stated that “the future of the Welsh language is fundamentally linked to the economy.”. Majority of young Welsh speakers are attracted to the enhanced employment opportunities the Welsh language has to offer in Wales. Cairns (2015) suggests that there is a need to create employment infrastructure to enable our young people to stay or return to their communities. “Enabling young people, who are predominantly Welsh speakers, to remain in their local communities is absolutely critical if there is any chance of building the vibrant communities, we all aspire to.” (Cairns, 2015).

The number of Welsh speakers is slowly deteriorating, and I feel as though it should be a priority to promote the language in the new curriculum. There has been numerous legislations, changes, speeches, reforms and campaigns that has shaped the use of the Welsh language. Recently, the language has started to decline but by making the language and communication a priority of the new curriculum will help keep it alive. Cairns has demonstrated the importance of the language, where it has come from and what we can do to promote it further. The Foundation Phase Framework has already introduced the importance of the language and by making it their priority to help develop the language at such a young age. The future of the language could be saved with Donaldson’s Areas of Learning and Experience plan.
References
·         Cairns, A. (2015). The Welsh Language: A Duty and a Challenge. Wales Office Minister Alun Cairns’ speech at Cardiff University. Accessed: 31/10/2018. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-welsh-language-a-duty-and-a-challenge
·         Donaldson, G. (2015) Successful Futures. Education Workforce Council. Accessed: 31/10/2018. Available at: https://www.ewc.wales/site/index.php/en/about/staff-room/son/43-english/about/blog-archive/91-graham-donaldson-successful-futures
·         Donaldson, G. (2015) Successful Futures: Independent Review of Curriculum and Assessment Arrangements in Wales. Caerdydd: Llywodraeth Cenedlaethol Cymru.
·         Foundation Phase Framework. (2015) Curriculum for Wales. Welsh Government. Department for Education and Skills. Cardiff.
·         The Welsh Assembly Government. (2008) Framework for Children’s Learning for 3 to 7-year-olds in Wales. Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills. Cardiff.
·         Welsh Government. (2013) One Language for All. Review of Welsh Second Language at Key Stage 3 and 4. Welsh in Education Unit. Department for Education and Skills. Caerphilly.
·         Welsh Government. (2015) Welsh Language. Stats Wales. Accessed: 31/10/2018 Available at: https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Welsh-Language








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