Survey finds 'limited' use of Welsh language outside of schools

GENERAL use of the Welsh language by children and young people outside school is "limited" and there are "negative" attitudes towards the language among a "significant" minority, a survey from the Welsh Language Commissioner has found.

- By ABBIE WIGHTWICK

With the Welsh Language and Education Bill expected to receive Royal Assent in a few weeks, the report looked at use of Welsh inside and outside the school gates.

It found English is the main language used by young people on social media or online "because it is easier and reaches a wider audience".

Despite this, there are "positive attitudes" to the Welsh language among fluent speakers, with the majority in this group "proud" of their ability to speak it.

"While the use of Welsh within the school and the attitudes towards the language were encouraging, the use of it by the young people socially, including on social media, was limited, with a significant proportion of those surveyed saying that English was their main language when using social media," the report, published today, says.

The survey, based on focus groups and questionnaires answered by 1,600 11 to 21-year-olds from 18 of the 22 local authority areas in Wales, included more than a third who received mainly English-medium education and indicated they spoke very little Welsh. No responses were received from Blaenau Gwent, Monmouth, Pembrokeshire and Torfaen.

"As one would expect, the use of the Welsh language is very low among these respondents," the report says.

Use of Welsh is "much higher" among fluent speakers, those who have learnt Welsh at home, and those who have received a Welsh-medium education.