Evidence Centre investigates the impact of COVID-19 on Welsh language pupils

Research from the Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre, funded by Welsh Government through Health and Care Research Wales, found some school children felt their Welsh-language skills were “on pause” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research, conducted in partnership with Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, explored the experiences of learners in Welsh-medium education who were from non-Welsh speaking families, and the perceptions of their parents during the public health emergency, particularly when moving from primary to secondary school.

As part of the study, pupils and their families were interviewed about their experiences of home learning during the pandemic. One pupil said: “In my opinion it (developing Welsh language skills) was a bit on pause... we didn’t really use it that much.”

Dr Siân Lloyd Williams, Lecturer in Education at Aberystwyth University, was one of the lead investigators. She said: “Previous research has shown the lack of exposure to the Welsh language during the pandemic was particularly problematic for pupils who attended Welsh-medium schools, but lived in a home where the primary language was a language other than Welsh.

“Our research gathered the views and pandemic experiences of such pupils and their parents, to determine the impact that the lack of exposure to Welsh and fewer opportunities to use the language, had on the pupils’ Welsh language skills.” 

The research findings identify the value of strengthening the links between primary and secondary schools, the importance of assessing pupils’ Welsh language skills between key stages and of ensuring effective communication between home and school.

Professor Adrian Edwards, Director of the Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre which was set up in April 2023 and builds on the success of the Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre, said: “We are proud to have undertaken this work with Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, which has resulted in some key findings in relation to Welsh language attainment among school children during the pandemic. 

“The research findings will be invaluable to Welsh Government, Local Education Authorities and to schools in helping them to identify and provide the support that’s needed for learners to develop their Welsh Language skills, particularly when progressing from primary to secondary education.”

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