Welsh Language Charter

Y Gymraeg: Welsh Language Charter

Rationale

The Welsh Language Charter contributes to the Welsh strategy for 2050 by encouraging and inspiring children and young people to use and enjoy Welsh in all aspects of their lives, in informal situations. The Welsh Language Charter is for everyone and all members of the school community have a role to play.

The aim of the Welsh Language Charter is to encourage the use of the Welsh language socially in schools across Wales.

The Siarter Iaith Framework ensures consistency across Wales, promoting and increasing the use of the Welsh language amongst children and young people at school and in the local community.

In order to achieve this vision, schools are required to follow the values of the Welsh Language Charter, namely:

that everyone enjoys speaking Welsh;
that everyone is proud of the Welsh language and the Welsh Language Charter and takes ownership of all elements of the programme;
that everyone works together to promote the Welsh language whilst implementing the Welsh Language Charter;
that everyone celebrates success, as individuals, schools, or communities, at every level.

Success will look different in each setting, as the Welsh language landscape varies from area to area, school to school and amongst different social circles.

Questionnaires are part of the process and are an effective tool for developing action plans. The aim moving forward is to develop a strong Welsh ethos in schools throughout Wales and provide a range of enriched activities that encourage the children to enjoy learning Welsh.

Feedback

The Strategic Adviser for Welsh in Education visited cross- regional Welsh and English primary schools on behalf of Partneriaeth during the summer term 2023 and filmed good practice. Here are some responses from class-teachers on the impact of the Welsh Language Charter upon the local community and pupils:

“We take the children on walks and on trips to Castell Henllys, where we engage with outside agencies who speak Welsh. This means that everyone works together and this strengthens the Welsh language.”

“The Siarter Iaith promotes children’s confidence. They’re much more confident to try speaking Welsh and also reading Welsh independently, and that’s in an English medium primary school.”

“Pupils’ oracy standards have definitely improved due to the Siarter Iaith. The children have had opportunities to communicate and present in formal settings, in assemblies, in concerts, and in the community. It’s obvious that the children think that the language is more cool and more modern.”

Nearly all were grateful to Partneriaeth for organising and funding the Tric a Chlic training and resources for their schools. A few noted that they would be grateful for further support with the following:

Further training due to staff changes at their schools, visiting schools of good practice, a bank of activities based on each level within the Tric a Chlic steps.
One English medium primary school noted that when evaluating Tric a Chlic in the reception class and in Year 3 it is essential that learners have a confident understanding of phonetic sounds in their first language before introducing a second phonetic programme. Despite this, the same school praised the ‘fantastic’ programme for its wonderful impact upon learners as it is implemented and embedded.

Copy of Siarter Iaith (Is-deitlau Cymraeg).mp4

Welsh subtitles

Copy of Siarter Iaith (Is-deitlau Saesneg).mp4

English subtitles

Government Website: Welsh Language Charter

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