19 July 2010
Colleges Launch National Strategy for Bilingualism
A national strategy that aims to provide better opportunities for Welsh-speaking learners over the age of 14 was launched by CollegesWales at the Royal Welsh Show on 19 July in the company of Meri Huws, Chair of the Welsh Language Board.
Colleges have over the years developed and delivered more learning options for Welsh-speaking learners and there are very strong partnerships between a number of schools and colleges that deliver well for their learners. But colleges recognise that provision has been patchy and that there is a need for more strategic vision, planning and coordination.
Meri Huws, Chair of the Welsh Language Board said: “I congratulate CollegesWales and its member colleges for taking this journey. Whilst they have had the full support of the Welsh Language Board in developing this important and challenging strategy, it is colleges that took forward this initiative. They have taken big strides forward and I am very pleased to be here to celebrate the launch of the strategy. I wish the colleges well as they move forward and put the strategy into practice."
Bryn Davies, Chair of CollegesWales said: “The Strategy for Bilingualism in Further Education is a key priority for ColegauCymru. Through the strategy, colleges will make a significant contribution to delivering the Welsh Assembly Government's ambitious Welsh-medium Education Strategy. Colleges are aiming to provide more opportunities for learners to develop their Welsh language skills as well as to provide more opportunities for studying vocational options through the medium of Welsh.
Resources are scarce, both in terms of public funding and expert staff who can deliver vocational learning through the medium of Welsh. Therefore, collaboration not competition must be the way forward. In putting the strategy into practice we have already started to work with our key partners: the Welsh Assembly Government, schools, Sector Skills Councils, awarding bodies, and higher education institutions."
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Contact: Sylvia Davies on 029 2052 8384 or 07968 771913.
Notes to editors:
1. ColegauCymru / CollegesWales is the new name for fforwm. It is a national educational charity that represents all 23 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales. Its mission is to raise the profile of further education with key decision-makers to improve opportunities for learners in Wales. For further information about ColegauCymru CollegesWales, and the colleges it represents, visit www.collegeswales.ac.uk
2. The National Strategy on Bilingualism in Further Education is available from: National Strategy on Bilingualism in FE