Carwyn Jones intends to 'replace Second language Welsh teaching' - cautious welcome

Language campaigners have welcomed the First Minister's comments that changes to the curriculum over the next few years will mean ultimately replacing the concept of second language Welsh teaching. 

A delegation from Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg held a meeting with Carwyn Jones yesterday, and the state of Welsh language teaching was the focus of the talksThe First Minister told the organisation that changes in the new curriculum would lead eventually to "replacing Welsh as a Second language," as well as removing the boundary between Welsh second language and Welsh first language. 

Speaking after the meeting, Toni SchiavoneChair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith's education group, said: 

"We welcome the First Minister's comments. Although there are many hard-working teachers who work miracles within the system, the concept of Welsh second language fails the majority of our young people. As Professor Sioned Davies recommended in her report, commissioned by the Government, we need one continuum, or path, of learning Welsh for every child, instead of the present system. We cannot continue with an education system that deprives so many of our children and young people of the Welsh language."