Agenda item

The report was submitted and it was noted that this was an opportunity to look in greater detail and to hold a discussion on the work programme. It was added that this was an initial work programme and that developments would be carried out to the work programme once all partners had come together to develop projects jointly.

It was added that the work programme had five priority areas and each of those priorities were considered individually.

a.    Language of the Family

A partnership with Mudiad Meithrin was discussed noting that they were already collaborating but that further discussions were required. It was added that Mudiad Meithrin were changing their projects and consequently there had been no intensive discussions with Mudiad.

It was noted that transferring language within the family was a usual occurrence in Gwynedd, but it was added that there was a need to understand where the gaps were in areas where transferring the language was not as high. It was asked whether it was possible to get data, and it was expressed that it may be possible to get the data from the Education Department. A discussion was held on the information collected at schools and it was noted that parents assessed children's language levels before they started at school.

It was discussed that children absorbed language in the early years and it was asked if there were any apps available in the Welsh language for this age. It was reiterated that a student through the Coleg Cymraeg had undertaken research over a ten day period at the council and that the results showed that there was a high number of apps targeting the primary and nursery age. It was added there was a need to develop more apps for secondary age. It was expressed that there was a need to promote the apps more in society.

It was discussed how it could be ensured that breakfast club staff and after school clubs adhered to the language policy. It was expressed that schools' commitment to the language charter also involved the clubs.  It was added that GwE had carried out a language assessment on staff at schools. It was reiterated that there may be a need to ensure that the Language Charter was included on Governing Body meeting agendas regularly to ensure that the Welsh language could be included in all aspects of clubs also.

b.    The Language of Learning

It was expressed that the education system was one that worked within the county but two weaknesses had been identified. The first was a reduction in the number of children speaking first language Welsh in years 6 and 7 and the second was the reduction in the number of children who studied subjects through the medium of Welsh. It was noted that these weaknesses had been identified under the secondary schools Language Charter. It was expressed that an update was needed from the department.

c.     The Language of Work and Services

It was noted that there was a need to retain data of how many received a service through the medium of Welsh specifically when looking at youth, leisure and care services.  It was noted there was a need to keep an eye on this.

d.    Language and Community

A discussion was held on the language used at Community Council meetings and it was added that there was some money was available to pay for translation services at meetings in the community.  It was noted that the money was available in order to demonstrate the value of simultaneous translators. 

e.    Research and Technology

No comment

DECISION

The report was accepted.