Following the launch of his strategy 'Global Futures' which aims for a 'bilingual plus one' language strategy, the Minister met with a delegation from Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg education group. Minister Huw Lewis told campaigners:  'The concept of Welsh  as a second language is a broken concept, so it makes no sense to have such a qualification'. He added: 'I learnt Welsh as a second language, and it profited me very little, I want to do away with it'.  He said it would be reasonable within 5 years to replace teaching of second language Welsh as a subject with a system which ensures every pupil speaks Welsh. He also said that teaching more subjects in English-medium schools through the medium of Welsh 'is part of the answer'.   

Responding to the Minister's comments in the meeting, Jamie Bevan, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg commented:    

"We are grateful that the Minister sees the need to ensure that every pupil, whatever school they attend, speaks Welsh fluently. Indeed, we are pleased that he intends to abolish Welsh as a second language, and instead ensure that more and more subjects in English-medium schools are taught through Welsh. We look forward to the Government's announcement about how they will implement the recommendations of Sioned Davies' report before their curriculum Conference at the end of the month. We hope that creating one new qualification, Welsh for all, will mean that every pupil has the ability to work and communicate in Welsh when leaving school."

He added: "Although there is encouraging news from the meeting, we haven't had assurances that there will be targets to ensure more and more subjects are taught through the medium of Welsh in English-medium schools. That was the clear recommendation of Professor Sioned Davies' report which was commissioned by the Government. It would be a matter of concern if the Government stated its intention for every child to be fluent in Welsh, but without the means to deliver change at the end of the day. We have seen that there hasn't been a significant improvement through the Welsh in Education Strategic Plans. Without a well thought out plan and firm statutory targets, there won't be means to improve the current situation. Workforce planning is also vital to ensure the ambition is delivered."