38% of pupils on island receiving second language Welsh concerns campaigners 

Campaigners will present a tree to Ynys Môn council in Llangefni today (2pm, dydd Sadwrn, 8fed Hydref) calling on the local authority to 'plant the seed to grow the language in its language strategy'.   

 

Around 38% of young people on the island are assessed in Welsh as a second language, rather than a first language, according to the council's plan for Welsh language education. Speakers at the rally in the town will call for wholly Welsh-medium education for every pupil on the island so that every young person leaves school fluent in the language. 

Among the speakers at the rally in Llangefni town centre will be the Eisteddfod-chaired poet Cen Williams, local councillor Carwyn Jones, Gwion Morris Jones, Paul Magee and Assembly Member Siân Gwenllian. Speaking about the importance of the event, Menna Machreth, chair of the local branch of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:     

 

“If the Welsh language is to thrive on Ynys Môn and right across the country, the council, with its language strategy, is planting a seed  which needs watering and growing. We will be keeping a close eye on the Council to see whether they stick to their commitments over the months leading up to the National Eisteddfod next year.  

"We cannot continue with an education system which deprives so many children of the ability to live their lives in Welsh. The county has a chance to follow Carmarthenshire's lead and move to fully Welsh-medium education for every single child. And given that the Welsh Government has now stated that they intend on abolishing Welsh as a second language, the Council has a chance to move every single child to first language level over the next couple of years. And, if a number of developments come to the island, the education system must be able to effectively include the children of the families who move in."   

Assembly Member Sian Gwenllian commented: 

"The Labour Welsh Government has announced its intention to increase the number of speakers to a million by 2050. There must be a plan which explains how they intend on doing this which clarifies in detail how it will create the massive and speedy increase in the provision of Welsh-medium education which is needed. Otherwise, the million speakers goal is a worthless, hazy ambition. Time is short. Action is needed before it is too late. " 

17 year old Gwion Morris Jones, who attends Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones in Amlwch, added:  

"In my view, Welsh-medium education is the key to saving the language. Immersion methods of teaching have proved to be very successful in a number of areas around the country. We should consider it something completely natural right across the north of Wales.   

"Effective Welsh-medium education should be unconditional; something essential for every child. It has given me loads of opportunities and has made me stronger as a person. It's not easy sometimes because there's still that thinking that formal things should be in English. But the Welsh language has opened doors for me and has meant I can take part in Urdd activities and others."   

Cymdeithas yr Iaith members have met council officers a number of times to discuss its language strategy and attend the county's language forum meetings.