Welsh in the new curriculum: Challenges and opportunities for English-medium schools

This event has ended.

With the introduction of Curriculum for Wales 2022 fast approaching, it is timely to discuss the role of the Welsh language in the new curriculum. This research seminar explores the main developments presented in the curriculum in relation to the teaching and learning of Welsh in schools, with a particular focus on the language continuum and the renewed focus on developing communicative competence. The opportunities and challenges facing English-medium schools in planning the teaching and learning of Welsh in the new curriculum are then discussed. The case for supporting schools to take a holistic approach to Welsh language development is presented, with particular reference to Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) as a flexible approach that could be considered for development in due course.

This seminar will be delivered in Welsh with simultaneous English translation available.

Dr Alex Lovell is a lecturer in Welsh at Swansea University. In January 2019, he completed his doctorate in Welsh Second Language Education at the Department of Welsh, Swansea University. In his doctoral dissertation, he focuses on how to best introduce Welsh as a second language in relatively non-Welsh speaking areas of Wales. More recently, Alex's research has been focusing on the Welsh continuum and how the concept of a language learning continuum fits with the new focus on developing communicative competence in Welsh found in the new curriculum for Wales. His research interests include: Welsh and Welsh Second Language education; second language acquisition; language policy and education in Wales; second language testing and assessment; bilingualism and bilingual education.