Introducing the Welsh Language and Education Bill before the Senedd

The Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were today introduced into the Senedd.

This Bill will contribute to the aim of having one million Welsh speakers by 2050. The main aim of the Bill is to seek to ensure that every pupil reaching the end of compulsory school age is, at a minimum, an independent Welsh user. In particular, the objective is for all pupils to acquire verbal skills that constitute at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

In brief, the Bill will:

• provide a statutory basis for the target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050, as well as other targets relating to the use of the language, including in the workplace and socially;
• establish a standard method for describing Welsh language ability based on the common reference levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages;
• make provisions for designating statutory language categories for schools, along with requirements relating to the amount of Welsh language education provided (including a minimum amount), and Welsh language learning goals for each category;
• link linguistic planning at a national level (by placing a duty on the Welsh Ministers to prepare a National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh), at local authority level (by placing a duty on the local authorities to prepare local Welsh in education strategic plans), and at school level (by placing a duty on schools to prepare Welsh language education delivery plans);
• establish a National Institute for Learning Welsh as a statutory body responsible for supporting people (of all ages) to learn Welsh.