Welsh Language Experiences Dramatic Resurgence Thanks to Adult Learners
In a heartening development for cultural preservation, the Welsh language is witnessing a significant resurgence, largely driven by a surge in adult learners. New data reveals that enrollment in Dysgu Cymraeg courses has skyrocketed by 61% since the 2017-18 academic year, with over 20,000 participants now engaging in these programs. This growth marks a pivotal moment as Wales strives to revitalize its linguistic heritage.
Personal Journeys of Rediscovery
Elinor Staniforth, a 28-year-old from Cardiff, exemplifies this trend. Despite disliking Welsh lessons in her English-medium school and largely forgetting the language after her GCSEs, her experience at Oxford University sparked a profound reevaluation. "I suddenly became very aware of being Welsh," Staniforth explained. "There were only two Welsh people in the whole college. People would ask if I spoke Welsh, and I'd have to say no. It's like a switch turned on while I was at uni. I was thinking that I'd missed out on something."
After graduating and returning to Cardiff, Staniforth began learning Welsh online during the Covid pandemic. Her dedication led her to become a finalist for the Cymraeg Learner of the Year prize at the 2024 national Eisteddfod, and she now teaches the language herself. "I found the classes for adults an amazing experience," she said. "I made such good friends, I learned about Welsh culture, I discovered new bands and books, a new world. I wanted to give back."
Statistical Growth and Demographic Shifts
The National Centre for Learning Welsh reports a 12% annual increase in adult learners, reaching a record high. This uptick is crucial, as the Welsh language commissioner's latest five-year report indicates that while speaker numbers have remained stable, they have not kept pace with population growth, leaving the language vulnerable. Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones has emphasized the need for "bold and transformative" interventions to meet the government's target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
Dona Lewis, chief executive of Dysgu Cymraeg, expressed optimism: "We are really pleased with the numbers; the statistics show consistent growth since we were established. There's huge demand and we have a big contribution to make to the language in the future."
Key demographic trends include:
- Nearly 40% of learners are motivated by workplace opportunities, with strong uptake in sectors like the NHS and police.
- Younger learners aged 16 to 24 have increased by 56% in the 2024-25 period compared to the previous year.
- Ethnic diversity among learners has risen, with 5% identifying as from "diverse ethnicities" versus 1% the year before.
A Fire Burning Again
Scott Gutteridge, a 29-year-old actor from London who grew up in Llanelli, describes this movement as a language "reclamation." "It's a fantastic time to start learning Welsh because there are so many resources available," he noted. "It seems like a fire that's burning again, there's a lot more young learners. And there's a lot of inspiring Welsh arts out there, I think people really connect with the poetry of the language."
Gutteridge's passion for Cymraeg ignited during a bilingual production of Romeo and Juliet. He began studying in the evenings and practicing at work, embracing the learning curve. "Sometimes it was difficult with dialects, but you just start somewhere," he said. "It's Wenglish in the beginning, people are so happy you're trying and giving it a go."
He fondly recalled a residential course at Nant Gwrtheyrn, the Welsh language heritage centre on Gwynedd's Llŷn peninsula, as "magical." "I like learning anyway, but Cymraeg has an added element for me. It's good for the mind, good for the heart, good for the soul," Gutteridge reflected.
Challenges and Community Building
Despite the encouraging growth, challenges persist. Staniforth highlighted a "big divide between school and adult learning," noting that more children attend English-medium schools, with insufficient focus on Welsh language education. "If you learn a language you have to want to do it: asking an 11-year-old to do it when they have no interest in it will be challenging," she cautioned.
The learner community is diverse, including not only Welsh individuals from English-speaking households but also English and Scottish people with family in Welsh-medium education, international migrants, and online participants from countries like the US and Australia. Staniforth emphasized that enjoyment and community are key to sustaining the language. "Learning Welsh has to be enjoyable, because finding and creating a community, that's what keeps the language alive," she concluded.
This resurgence underscores a broader cultural revival, as adult learners rekindle their connection to Welsh heritage, ensuring the language's vitality for generations to come.
