Summary

The number of learners in the Welsh for Adults sector has increased by 8% since the previous year and is the highest number of learners since the first nationally published figures in 2017-2018. During 2023-2024, learners attended 31,200 learning activities, an increase of 6% since the previous year and an increase of 53% since 2017-2018.

During the year, we held a full inspection of one Learn Welsh provider and visited five other Learn Welsh providers as part of our first longitudinal themed inspection. The themed inspection evaluated the sector’s extensive Work Welsh provision that is co-ordinated by the National Centre for Learning Welsh and delivered by Learn Welsh providers. The aim of the Work Welsh programme is, through flexible and fully funded training to employers, to strengthen and grow Welsh language skills in workplaces and key sectors across Wales.

Teaching in the sector focused effectively on ensuring that learners successfully acquire language skills that are used naturally in personal, social and work-based contexts.

Tutors and providers ensured that learners felt supported and included in designing their learning. The financial support available to learners on mainstream and free of charge Work Welsh provision was successful in reducing financial barriers, enabling more learners to access provision.

The sector, under the leadership of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, worked innovatively to develop new provision and increase the number of learners taking part in the Work Welsh scheme.

Teaching and learning

Most tutors, across all the providers inspected, had high expectations of their learners. They challenged learners to develop their language skills, particularly by extending their speaking skills and encouraging them to create language independently. Many tutors varied their questioning techniques skilfully to support learners to expand their responses and hold extended conversations. As a result, many learners became increasingly confident, built well upon previously acquired knowledge and made strong progress in developing their language skills.

Most learners were highly motivated and participated positively. They enjoyed their sessions and developed positive attitudes to learning and the benefits of learning Welsh and bilingualism. Many of them used their Welsh outside of formal learning activities. However, a majority of learners on Work Welsh programmes stated that their employers did not support them well enough to use their Welsh language skills within the workplace.

In a majority of sessions, tutors adapted and tailored sessions to meet the professional and social needs of learners. However, in a minority of Work Welsh lessons, tutors did not tailor the course content effectively and consistently enough to ensure that it was sufficiently relevant to learners’ work-related needs.

In Work Welsh programmes, the impact of teaching and learning was strongest when full-time specialist tutors worked strategically within organisations to plan to meet their specific needs, such as in the health, sports and local authority sectors. In these cases, tutors worked effectively to ensure that learners used their Welsh language skills in the workplace.

In Work Welsh provision, strategic decisions to focus on learners at intermediate level or above, and fluent speakers who lack confidence, were having the greatest impact on the Welsh language services offered by learners in their workplaces.

Well-being, care, support and guidance

Nearly all tutors ensured a positive, inclusive and stimulating environment in online and face-to-face provision. They built positive working relationships with learners and, as a result, learners felt safe and knew whom to approach if they need assistance or advice.

Providers offered valuable guidance and pastoral care to promote learners’ well-being and personal development, including bespoke interventions for learners with additional support needs.

Providers offered regular opportunities for learners to express their opinions. Most learners felt that they were listened to and that their views are acted upon.

The sector worked diligently to reduce potential financial barriers to learners. This includes various cost reductions and contributions towards the cost of childcare, travel and technical equipment. Consequently, no mainstream learners paid the full course fee in the Learn Welsh provider inspected. Courses in Work Welsh programmes are free of charge to employers and employees which, in turn, increased the number of organisations and learners taking part.

Leading and improving

Leaders in the National Centre for Learning Welsh and Learn Welsh providers had a clear shared vision as to the purpose of their work and their contribution towards achieving the policy aims of the Welsh Government to increase the number of people who actively speak Welsh in personal and professional contexts.

Leaders in the Learn Welsh provider inspected monitored performance and assured quality effectively which, in turn, had a positive effect on teaching and learning. They worked diligently with the senior managers of their host institution to develop and expand their role in the institution’s linguistic planning and training, both internally and externally.

Leaders of the National Centre for Learning Welsh have been innovative in developing and delivering the Work Welsh scheme. They worked very effectively with employers, providers and stakeholders to design the programme and plan further improvements. For example, they employed full-time tutors to work across additional sectors to assist learners in integrating their Welsh language skills within their workplaces and professional contexts.

Most Work Welsh projects are funded on an annual basis by the Welsh Government. This was challenging for leaders nationally and locally in terms of ensuring that there is secure employment for staff and that strategic planning is as effective as it could be.

While procedures to measure the effect of provision on changing language behaviour have not yet been fully developed, the growing demand for Work Welsh provision and increasing numbers on courses demonstrate that it is becoming a cornerstone in linguistic planning initiatives to grow and normalise the use of the Welsh language in key sectors.

Overview of recommendations from inspections

The Learn Welsh provider inspected was given two recommendations:

1. Ensure consistency in the good practice of supporting learners to improve their pronunciation
2. Continue to develop the provider’s strategic role to contribute fully to language planning and training within the host institution

Following the themed inspection the National Centre for Learning Welsh was given four recommendations: 

1. Continue to work with Learn Welsh providers to ensure that tutors tailor courses appropriately for the purposes of specific groups of learners and their workplaces and are aware of all of the support and resources available to learners and their employers
2. Work with Learn Welsh providers and employers to plan staff’s linguistic development purposefully so that there is practical support for them to attend lessons, without increasing their workload, and to ensure that they are given meaningful opportunities to use their skills in the workplace
3. Jointly with the Welsh Government, conduct research into developing a delivery and funding model that supports long-term plans and prioritises post-intermediate learners and speakers who lack confidence
4. Continue to develop methods of measuring the effect of provision on changing the linguistic behaviour of individuals within their workplaces