A resurgence of interest in the Welsh language is underway, with adult learning courses seeing a significant increase in enrollment. The National Centre for Learning Welsh, Y Canolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol, reports over 20,000 learners are now taking courses – a 12% increase in the past year and a 61% rise since 2017-18.
A Renewed Connection
For some, like Elinor Staniforth of Cardiff, the journey to learning Welsh was a path to reconnecting with her identity. After initially dismissing the language following her GCSEs, a period at Oxford University prompted her to reconsider. “I suddenly became very aware of being Welsh,” Staniforth, 28, explained. She is now a Welsh language teacher herself, having been a finalist for the Cymraeg Learner of the Year prize at the 2024 national Eisteddfod.
This renewed interest isn’t limited to those with Welsh heritage. Learners now come from diverse backgrounds, including people from England, Scotland, eastern Europe, Japan, Singapore, and even the US and Australia.
Challenges and Opportunities
The increase in learners comes at a crucial time. A recent report from the Welsh language commissioner noted that even as the number of Welsh speakers has remained stable, it hasn’t kept pace with population growth, potentially increasing the language’s vulnerability. The commissioner previously stated that “bold and transformative” intervention is needed to reach the Welsh government’s goal of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
Scott Gutteridge, a 29-year-old actor originally from Llanelli, described a “language reclamation” underway, noting the availability of resources and a growing appreciation for the “poetry of the language.” He found the experience of taking a residential course at Nant Gwrtheyrn, a Welsh language heritage centre, to be “magical.”
Almost 40% of learners are now accessing courses through their workplaces, with particularly strong uptake in the NHS and the police. There has also been a 56% increase in learners aged 16 to 24, and a rise in the number identifying as from “diverse ethnicities” – increasing from 1% to 5%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving the increase in Welsh language learners?
The source indicates a renewed interest in Welsh identity, a desire to connect with Welsh culture, and the availability of accessible learning resources are contributing to the increase.
What challenges does the Welsh language face?
The Welsh language commissioner’s report found that the number of speakers hasn’t grown in line with population growth, making the language more vulnerable. There is also a “big divide between school and adult learning,” with more children attending English-medium schools.
Where are people learning Welsh?
People are learning Welsh through courses offered by Y Canolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol, online classes, and increasingly, through workplace programs, particularly in the NHS and the police.
As more people embrace Cymraeg, what role will community and accessible learning play in ensuring its continued vitality?
