Brief Overview

The aim of this research project is to consider how improvements could be made to way in which the Welsh language is transferred to adults. The project began in May 2010 and will run for two years. The work has several interacting foci of interest:

• teaching and learning approaches/methodologies for the teaching of languages to adults;
• language learning theory;
• the nature of the teaching and learning resources needed to effectively transfer the Welsh language to adults; and also,
• the related restrictions and considerations which will influence the future development of the Welsh for Adults (WfA) curriculum.

The following specific issues are to be carefully considered:

• the nature of the existing WfA curriculum, how it supports effective learning and how it could be improved;
• lessons from situations around the world that are comparable to that of WfA;
• the accreditation, funding, practitioner training, and cost implications of making changes to the WfA curriculum.

The research is sponsored by the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, the Welsh Assembly Government.