About the Project

A student leaves school after years in Wales' education system. Within months, they're speaking primarily English with friends, at work, in social settings. Their confidence in using the language has diminished and their identity as a 'Welsh speaker' has faded. Why are young people not transitioning from learners to speakers?

O Ddysgwyr i Siaradwyr ('From Learners to Speakers') is a WGSSS-funded doctoral research project that follows young people through this critical transition period. By examining the complex interplay of social networks, career pathways, and cultural identity, the research uncovers why some young people become lifelong Welsh speakers while others drift toward English-dominant lives. Understanding these patterns is crucial for ensuring that Wales's significant investment in education translates into a thriving, Welsh-speaking future generation.

Approach

What happens to Welsh language as learners leave the structured environment of compulsory education? This is a mixed-methods project, with in-depth interviews informing the development of a wider, quantitative measure, aiming to identify trends in Welsh language decline after school.

🗣️ Phase 1 – Listening to lived experiences: In-depth interviews 15 to 22-year-olds reveal stories of language maintenance and decline, uncovering the key factors that influence Welsh maintenance/decline in the school-to-adult transition.

📋 Phase 2 – Scaling insights into measurement: Drawing from interview themes, we develop and pilot a comprehensive instrument to capture the breadth of post-school language experiences across Wales.

📊 Phase 3 – Mapping the landscape: Large-scale quantitative analysis reveals patterns of Welsh language retention, providing evidence to inform educational policy and community initiatives.

This research will provide the first systematic evidence base for supporting Welsh language vitality beyond formal education.

Resources & Publications

Here are some materials that have been developed throughout the project:

⬇️ Downloads – Posters, summaries, and other materials created during the project. Ideal for conferences, outreach, or anyone curious about the research at a glance. 

📝 Blog Posts – Reflections, updates, and behind-the-scenes thoughts from the project. Written in an accessible style to share ideas, progress, and personal perspectives. 

Get Involved

Are you a student, teacher, policymaker, or researcher interested in this topic?

Contact me: 973256@swansea.ac.uk

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I welcome collaboration, questions, and feedback.