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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to feel sad that welsh is not compulsory in schools in Wales .

471 replies

Dowser · 22/03/2015 23:02

Says it all really.

It's part of the heritage and it's a worry it will die out.

Don't understand it myself.

OP posts:
notsogoldenoldie · 23/03/2015 13:34

In Cardiff, the two top performing schools are Welsh medium, according to a recent survey.

UncleT · 23/03/2015 13:35

Big fat bollocks to anyone silly enough to advocate letting yet another beautiful, unique language die out in the world. Within the language there is a massive amount of cultural heritage - why do people want us all speaking a bland, internationalised form of English? We have to preserve this stuff and develop what is already, in fact, an everyday working and private language for very large numbers of people in Wales.

DisappointedOne · 23/03/2015 13:38

Ughreally - you'll hear it a lot more in treforest. In East Cardiff they struggle with english. :D

SunnyBaudelaire · 23/03/2015 13:44

"Sunny I have nothing against Welsh teaching being available - only against it being compulsory. Why should it be?"
because it the language of the country Andrew?

"My only choice is to send my children to a nationalist school to receive a welsh medium (and therefore proven to be substandard) education and in all likelihood have to put up with snide comments about having an English parent throughout. "
Quite frankly you should have thought of that before moving here. Or did the cheap housing blind you?

Frolicacid · 23/03/2015 13:45

Wow, just wow at some of the ignorant and prejudiced views on this thread.

Are there not many areas in some English cities now where English speakers are in the minority? Can you imagine the outcry if someone dared suggest scrapping compulsory English medium education there? Hmmmm....

Welsh is one of two official languages in Wales. Of course it should be compulsory. There is plenty of evidence if bilingualism's benefits to children's development. And as for the ridiculous notion that those of us who are Welsh taught can't go on to have successful carers outside of Wales, are people really serious? I'm from the most Welsh area in Wales and could name you any number of people who have found success in Wales, the Uk and internationally.

Language is about so much more than a tax bill. It's about identity, culture, heritage and so much more. Welsh speakers should have the right to speak, be educated, work and receive services in their own language in their own country.

SunnyBaudelaire · 23/03/2015 13:47

also, ifyourawizard, can you link us to some proof that Welsh medium education is 'substandard' please?

annielouise · 23/03/2015 13:47

Well I was going to ask if you were educated in Wales there Moomin but wasn't sure if you'd take the joke the right way Grin

I love it in lots of ways MoveAlong, but not in others. Big problems I see and I don't think it will be able to retain the young people we want and should be keeping. I should be able to live here but the constant pushing of the language has been too much for us, it's turned me off the place unfortunately. I like choice. We gave it a try. I really was hoping it would work. DC seemed to love the language early on which I was pleased about - at least it wasn't a chore - then they grew up and resented any time spent on it.

annielouise · 23/03/2015 13:53

notsogoldenoldie - I don't know where you got that from, it's Cardiff High and Radyr. Glantaf is actually listed on universities' lists of where they'll give a lower offer for kids coming out of there with A levels. Which two schools you talking about? Primary? I wouldn't know. Secondary is what counts anyway.

Sunny, it's not the language of the country. English is - wins by a majority of 80:20, sorry to have to say.

Frolic - no one is saying it should die out, just that it shouldn't be compulsory. Put it this way, why is the Welsh government worried about it not being compulsory if it's so wonderful and positive? There are enough now demanding Welsh medium schools, more so than ever, so the ones that want it should do it, the ones that don't want to shouldn't have to. Then the resentment about choice will be removed. Do we get a choice not to get bills etc in Welsh? I keep meaning to tell the utility companies to stop sending me stuff in Welsh as it's a waste of money and trees.

MumRaah · 23/03/2015 13:55

Cymru Am Byth GrinWink

DisappointedOne · 23/03/2015 13:56

"In response to the poster saying that Welsh medium education was detrimental you said "utter bollocks"

But you then say that you are "not relying on any educational establishment to educate my daughter". Does that mean she is home-educated? And if so is that not demonstrating your own ack of faith in the educational establishments local to you?

Or am I misunderstandng your point?"

Yes, you're misunderstanding. We don't expect DD's learning to only be provided by the school she attends. Her grandparents were a teacher and uni lecturer and my husband and I are well read in a number of subjects. Should we need to "top up" whatever is taught at school, we shall, exactly as we do now.

mamapants · 23/03/2015 13:57

its compulsory in part because it's so beneficial to your employment opportunities in Wales. Many employers require Welsh speakers, as you need to be able to offer a service in the service users first language.
A Welsh medium education doesn't limit your opportunities but not learning Welsh does limit your opportunities. So surely it is common sense for it to be compulsory.

SunnyBaudelaire · 23/03/2015 13:57

"Sunny, it's not the language of the country. English is - wins by a majority of 80:20, sorry to have to say. "

I think you will find it is, the clue is in the name?
Round here it is more like , I dunno, 50.50.? 60.40? Would you tell Welsh speakers that their children have to be educated in English? Have we not been here before?

"I keep meaning to tell the utility companies to stop sending me stuff in Welsh as it's a waste of money and trees."
yes well good luck with that.

DisappointedOne · 23/03/2015 13:57

Annielouise, I would homeschool rather than send my child to Cardiff High. Awful school.

mamapants · 23/03/2015 13:58

It's considered an essential skill in the same way as basic maths and English literacy skills.

FickleByNurture · 23/03/2015 14:04

When I got my first job with the police force I admitted that, despite growing up in Wales I couldn't speak a word of Welsh and I was promptly thrown into conversational Welsh classes, if only so I could deal with all the first language Welsh speakers by passing them to someone more qualified.

improbablesaint · 23/03/2015 14:09

its not a language I warm to.

mamapants · 23/03/2015 14:11

it's. Not a language I warm to

Wtf?? What a weird commentHmm

SunnyBaudelaire · 23/03/2015 14:12

well then you do not have to speak it do you improbable saint?

MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom · 23/03/2015 14:12

Grin I can take that joke, I got an A* in English Language... from the Welsh exam board mind Wink

improbablesaint · 23/03/2015 14:13

the sound of it.
Its not a nice sounding language

Frolicacid · 23/03/2015 14:13

Annie, I'm not sure where in my post you saw anything about anyone saying the language should die out. I was just expressing the reasons why I believe Welsh language Education should be compulsory.

As for you question about utility bills, I think that's something you should take up with your provider and not a random person on the internet. I always chose to deal with and appreciate companies who will correspond with me in my first language. I feel lucky to have these choices and to live in an age where the use of my native language is promoted and not persecuted as it was for so many generations. As for saving tree's, can I suggest that you look into paperless billing?

"its compulsory in part because it's so beneficial to your employment opportunities in Wales. Many employers require Welsh speakers, as you need to be able to offer a service in the service users first language.
A Welsh medium education doesn't limit your opportunities but not learning Welsh does limit your opportunities. So surely it is common sense for it to be compulsory." - Excellent post mamaspants

Muchtoomuchtodo · 23/03/2015 14:14

Which languages do you warm to Saint?

Those with the same alphabet as English, those from sunnier parts of the world.......? Confused

improbablesaint · 23/03/2015 14:14

Strangely I do like German a lot. The singy song thing of WElsh makes me all ew.
Specially on mn

SunnyBaudelaire · 23/03/2015 14:15

"the sound of it.
Its not a nice sounding language"

awwww is it not "nice" ? you poor baban.

improbablesaint · 23/03/2015 14:16

yup. its not nice.

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