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'Progress' in children's Welsh

Young children's Welsh language skills are English-medium schools are progressing, but more needs to be done to develop their Welsh reading and writing, according to an Estyn report published today.

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Progress needed in Welsh reading and writing in English-medium schools

More needs to be done to develop young children's Welsh reading and writing skills, according to schools inspectorate Estyn.

The Welsh Language Development in the Foundation Phase report, published today, found that most children in the majority of English-medium schools are making good progress in speaking and listening to Welsh, but their reading and writing skills are less well developed.

During the last two years, we have seen progress being made in Welsh Language Development in the majority of schools and settings. Children are enjoying learning the language of Wales in innovative and fun ways.

In the best schools, teachers are highly skilled, passionate and plan fun and stimulating activities that engage and excite the children, but in a minority of schools and settings staff are not devoting enough direct teaching time to developing the Welsh language and there are gaps in practitioners' knowledge and skills that are inhibiting the children's learning and development

– Ann Keane, Estyn chief inspector

The inspectorate outlines a number of recommendations, including encouraging children to use Welsh in other areas of learning and the need for local authorities to provide better access to Welsh language support.

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'Progress' in children's Welsh

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