At 1:05 in from the beginning
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I did try to have a look at the EU rules and, as you might expect for anything related to tax, they are complicated. As far as I could see it may be that the UK didnât charge VAT on EFL courses before the unification of VAT rules across the EU. Things that were exempt before could continue being exempt. Now itâs quite possible that no private company teaching Welsh reached the VAT threshold in the past. Most Welsh courses are run through the Welsh for Adults scheme which is done via universities. Tutors working free-lance would be very unlikely to earn enough to reach the VAT threshold. The only other company that I know of offering Welsh courses that might have sufficient income to reach the VAT threshold seems to be a registered charity. So if no one fought for an exemption in the past, rules probably canât be changed retrospectively.
However, there is a lower rate of VAT at 5%. I donât know who decides what rate is payable on what. It could be worth pursuing this with the EU. Despite the accusations of it being undemocratic, it can and does change things if you make a good enough case. A writer friend was involved with the negotiations to change the rules regarding VAT for tiny companies or individuals selling things online. It took a lot of patient negotiation, but the EU did realise the problem and changed the rules.
Of course the further complication is that SSiW doesnât just teach Welsh. Really itâs the zero rate of VAT for EFL courses that is the anomaly.
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Thatâs interesting - and, yes, complicated! 
Given that the EU has provided support to Welsh language teaching in the form of renovation of Nant Gwrtheyrn and has allowed use of Welsh in some circumstances in EU institutions, hopefully they would respond positively to any requests to reducing the VAT burden.
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I suppose it depends on whether French language courses in France, German language courses in Germany, etc. etc. are exempt from VAT or not. I suspect that theyâre not and that itâs the EFL thatâs different. But if native language courses elsewhere are exempt, then there is a good case for saying Welsh should be too.
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Part of the problem seems to be that even for English teaching (outside of a school or college or non-profit organisation) the exemption for EFL, by definition, only seems to be for teaching English to non native learners.
So, I suppose the hurdle to get over in having the VAT law changed, would be how to define Welsh and its learners, bearing in mind that it is an official language of the UK (even though most UK citizens donât speak it).
Perhaps there is a better chance of sorting it on the back of the Million Speakers Project. I realise that Iâm stating the obvious, here.
Although there are some compensations to be had from registering for VAT, eg claiming back the VAT on goods paid for, thatâs not a lot of comfort as any small business owner knows.
Many years ago we ran a small publishing company. It was beneficial for us to register for VAT even when we were well below the threshold because there is no VAT on books, but we paid VAT on the paper and printing supplies. Every quarter, we got money back from the VAT. 
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In Italy we drown in bureaucracy since the day we were born. 
weâre used to try and figure out how to navigate laws cause we have to do it all the time. 
So I happen to be doing searches for other reasons and came across what I believe is the same EU directive that is actually quite generic.
Then each country decide about who âdeservesâ it and who doesnât (sorry I donât really know the proper vocabulary of Law in English!) - that I guess itâs what @JohnYoungâs referring to?
In Italy itâs not which language you teach, but the fact the school has to be âofficially recognizedâ.
As it always happen in Italian laws, itâs not too clear what this means exactly 
âŠbut it seems that even getting any form of funding or deal with any public institution is enough.
p.s. of course everything Iâm writing would need extra checking, Iâm not a lawyer!
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Just thinking out loud. 1 million will be great. However, it seems to be that 1.5 to 2 million soon afterwards would be fantastic. Just because it seems to me that 50% or more Welsh speakers in any area leads ato Welsh on the street. Just my limited experience.
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It doesnât seem like anyone has posted in this thread for almost a year, but Iâm not going to repeat what most people have already said. Instead, I wonder if there could be a campaign to request S4C to have a series on learning Welsh. Or would that just be a waste of time.
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Wouldnât it be interesting if there was a series using the SSIW method - perhaps accompanying people and taking the viewers through the six month course?!
There is an argument that something like Radio Wales might attract more (ie more people who would like to speak Welsh but donât) than a Welsh station? Hmm 
Rich 
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I live in Québec and just wanted to say that we have a multilingual federal government in Canada too. Native speakers of English have to speak well in both languages even if they are in the linguistic majority.
Could make it so you need to have Welsh to work in Welsh politics.
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Trello. Itâs built for lists and for collaboration of ideas
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Iâm new to learning Welsh. The problem I have, is being able to use what Iâve learned and finding other Welsh speakers to practice with.
I have a new Dysgu Cymraeg badge on my coat, but itâs tiny.
Perhaps if rather than greeting people with Hi, everyone started using the word shwmae. That would allow newly introduced people to continue the conversation in Welsh, if they both had the ability, and allow learners to practice.
Itâs always struck me as odd that when I worked for DĆ”r Cymru/ Welsh Water, two co workers who are first language Welsh speakers always talked in English because their very first introduction on day one was in English.
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I was asked by one of my previous tutors to write a piece for the local welsh paper to encourage learners to take part in the Welsh community because it had been noted that I was always seen at various events. She feels that learners stay on the outside of the community. I hadnât really felt like that because all the SSIW people I know throw themselves into anything going and really enjoy all the music and culture.
However last night at our local group of learners I was telling them about the 4 Noson Lawen evenings locally which are being recorded for S4C, there is a concert by the Welsh Whisperer in the summer and another evening with Gwilym Bowen Rhys and Bwncath in September. I was greeting with completely blank faces, like why would we be interested in that?
I am making the assumption here that the difference the enthusiasm of SSIW, @aran @Iestyn and all the others (especially if you have enjoyed Teulu Iestyn singing in Tresaith). Does anyone else have any ideas as to why it is so difficult to get learners to join in?
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Fear/vulnerability?
Here, at SsiW we are exposed to so much. We have the support of everyone, itâs tangible and, we are constantly being encouraged to go forth and immerse ourselves in ALL things Welsh. Also, we share experiences and learn from each other. We inspire each other.
I donât think other learners get this from âoutsideâ sources.
We are SO lucky. 
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Could it be just that some language learners may tend to compartmentalise their learning so that language and culture occupy completely different âspacesâ, hence the blank looks?
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It may also be that this type of entertainment is not to their taste and not something they would do even if the evening was in English.
Not everyone like socialising with people they donât know, even when language isnât an issue. Also just attending a concert and sitting in the audience listening passively is no better than watching Welsh programmes on S4C or Radio Cymru which can be done at a time to suit yourself. Itâs more fun if you can go with a small group of friends, but then youâre into the chicken and egg situation. How do you make the Welsh speaking friends who like the same things you do?
Making the leap from learner to living your life bilingually is not easy, especially for introverts.
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Not everyone like socialising with people they donât know, even when language isnât an issue. ⊠Making the leap from learner to living your life bilingually is not easy, especially for introverts.
Thatâs a good point, and itâs certainly the case for me. Socialising with strangers is so stressful and exhausting already that I donât think Iâd have the mental and emotional energy left to try and use Welsh as well.
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I agree with all that . I know itâs difficult to generalize but but there definitely seems to be difference in attitude between SSIW learners and other learners. I think itâs something to do with the ability of SSIWers to be able to cope if they donât understand everything and that they tend to just go with it.
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Just edited that!