Poll backs all school pupils becoming fluent in Welsh

Cymdeithas yr Iaith wants all schools in Wales to teach at least some subjects through Welsh Credit: Cymdeithas yr Iaith

Cymdeithas yr Iaith, the Welsh Language Society, says a YouGov poll it commissioned shows that most people want all schools in Wales to do more to teach their pupils enough Welsh to effectively use the language. The poll surveyed more than a thousand adults.

  • Teach all pupils to communicate effectively in Welsh 56%

  • Not teach all pupils to communicate effectively in Welsh 33%

  • Don't know 11%

The idea was strongly supported by people who vote Labour or Plaid Cymru but narrowly opposed by Conservative, UKIP and Lib Dem supporters. It was supported by all age groups, with adults under 25 most strongly in favour.

There was less support for Cymdeithas yr Iaith's proposed method of getting all pupils to leave school speaking Welsh, which is to ensure that at least some subjects are taught through the language, even in officially English-medium schools.

  • Support English-medium schools teaching some subjects in Welsh 42%

  • Oppose English-medium schools teaching some subjects in Welsh 48%

  • Don't know 10%

Cymdeithas yr Iaith says it's encouraged that its proposal did win a small majority amongst 18 to 24 year olds, who are the adults with the most recent experience of attending school.