Welsh

The Welsh language is growing stronger

The 2004 Welsh Language Use Survey showed that 21.7% of Wales’ population were Welsh speakers. This was an increase from 20.5% in the 2001 census and from 18.5% in 1991.

Due to the increasing use of the English language in Wales the numbers of Welsh speakers had been declining for decades. But, following a number of measures, including the introduction of the Welsh Language Act 1993, Welsh has enjoyed a strong revival in recent years and has an equal status with English in the public sector in Wales. Of the 611,000 Welsh speakers in Wales, 62% claim to use Welsh daily, and 88% of those fluent in the language use it daily.

For some years now, the teaching of Welsh has been compulsory in all schools in Wales up to age 16, and education through the medium of Welsh continues to grow, reversing the trend in the decline in the younger generation.

TALK training is strongly committed to supporting and promoting the Welsh language.

TALK training aims to be a fully bilingual organisation and already have a significant amount of our paperwork and literature translated and published. We already offer all of our Key Skills training through the medium of Welsh and have furnished our Skillbuild centres with a wide range of Welsh resources such as books, games and software. TALK training is proud to be working closely with the Welsh Language board in developing a Welsh Language Scheme for the organisation.

Useful Links for Resources and Further Guidance:

http://new.wales.gov.uk
The Welsh Assembly Governments website contains loads of useful information from their Policies on the subject, useful statistics and further useful links, please visit their page dedicated to the Welsh language.

www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk
The Welsh Language Boards main aim is to make it easier for everyone to use Welsh in all walks of life. Their site contains every aspect of Welsh from its history, to learning and using the language and masses of useful information, advice and guidance.

www.gwales.com
Browse and buy books online, with a wide range of books in the Welsh language and by Welsh authors. Gwales.com is owned and operated by the Welsh Books Council.

http://new.wales.gov.uk
Information on the best route for learning Welsh, including courses, qualifications, links to online and printed resources, events and fun stuff such as games, music and sport.

www.mentrau-iaith.com
A Menter (pl. Mentrau) Iaith, or language initiative, is a local organisation which offers support to communities to increase and develop their use of the Welsh language. There are many across Wales, this is their head page where you can find all the local branches and advice and activities.

www.bbc.co.uk
It is a versatile site offering a full bilingual service in Wales. There are specific pages for Welsh learners. It also provides an on-line dictionary and a facility which gives language assistance while you are using the pages in Welsh. There are various aspects which will be useful when using Welsh at work.

www.academi.org
The Acedemi is the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Authors. It runs events, courses and competitions all over Wales.

www.urdd.org
The Urdd is an exciting, dynamic movement for children and young people. It organises a range of different activities across Wales. Activities and events from holidays, weekly clubs and competitions to all manners of sporting events.