I want to speak Welsh too!
Only about 21% of the population in Wales speak Welsh. There's also only one comprehensive school in the whole of the Vale that is Welsh medium called Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg, so unless you've attended a welsh speaking school, it's more than likely you're not fluent. I suppose it's not that much different for other places in Wales either, especially South Wales.
Living in Wales and being Welsh, I feel that being able to speak the language is important and would be a good skill, especially in the future when I'm doing my CV. I asked my mother what I could to do to learn the language, and she said why don't you look for Welsh classes within the area.
Well, I didn't realise how hard it would be just to find a Welsh class in the Vale, let alone one for a fourteen year old, so I decided to turn to Swoosh. I found one, but if you're under the age of sixteen an adult has to accompany you, everyone had to pay £48 a term and it didn't seem very young people friendly either. I also know that my mother doesn't have the money to pay for it, or the time to come with me.
If you live in Wales I think that EVERYONE should be given the opportunity to learn welsh, and I think it's unfair that for the one Welsh class I found that I could attend, you were expected to pay.
Not long after looking, I attend an event at the local park, and Jane Hutt (Labour Assembly Member for the Vale of Glamorgan) was there, so I thought I would mention the fact I want to learn Welsh, but really there's no where I can. After taking my details she said she would try to help.
Well, I guess I've made a start for young people in Wales to be given the opportunity to speak Welsh, but I know I'm not the only person who wants to continue learning it, and I wanted to make my thoughts public, so please try and help, because the more people who say something about it, the more likely something is to be done about it.
(Image by Bud75 Flickr.com)
