As a measure of the rate of progress it was interesting to me to take a look at “One Language for All” issued in September 2013 (http://gov.wales/docs/dcells/publications/130926-review-of-welsh-second-lan-en.pdf) and the subsequent response from the Welsh government (http://gov.wales/docs/dcells/publications/140514-response-doc-en.pdf). Substantially all of the findings and recommendations of “One Language for All” were accepted in principle though commitment to action was linked to the commission and issuance of the broader Donaldson report. Five detailed curriculum-based recommendations made in “One Language for All” which included 3-5 year time lines for implementation have been transformed into ten “Welsh Language” discussion points in Donaldson without any timetable for implementation. These included the aforementioned
"There should be a renewed focus in schools on learning Welsh primarily as a means of communication, particularly oral communication and understanding."!!!
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Professor Donaldson. I tend to the view that the “Taylor Report”, above, initiating this thread is of rather more substance and value.
The education minister, Huw Lewis, is reported by the BBC to have said that it could take a decade or more of “heavy lifting and hard work” from teachers before any new curriculum is in place. Based on these comments, a target of 2021 maybe rather hopeful and I don’t believe that the Welsh language has the luxury of time in this regard.
I have been away from media resources for the past 10 days and am now struggling to find any comments of substance in the national media concerning Donaldson and/or the preceding report regarding Welsh language teaching. Does anyone have information to the contrary?