ADULT Welsh learners must not be overlooked if the Welsh Government is serious about reaching its target of “a million and more Welsh speakers”, the founder of an online Welsh learning programme has warned.

Suw Charman-Anderson, founder of Ymestyn.Cymru, said ministers needed to do more to support learners who have moved beyond beginner level but are struggling to progress towards fluency.

Her comments follow a statement by Anna Brychan, Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, setting out the Welsh Government’s latest plans to support the language through childcare, education and community use.

Ms Charman-Anderson said she welcomed the commitment to strengthening Welsh, but warned that adult learners, particularly those at Canolradd, or intermediate level, appeared to have been left out.

She said: “It is heartening to hear Anna Brychan commit to a variety of interventions that will strengthen Welsh learning and its use in childcare, education and the community.

“But once again, there’s no mention of adult learners, particularly those who’ve reached the Canolradd level, for whom there is currently little to no targeted support or content outside of the limited Dysgu Cymraeg Canolradd courses.”

According to figures from the National Centre for Learning Welsh, only around 23% to 26% of Mynediad learners have progressed to Sylfaen over the last five years, while the number of Canolradd learners has remained below 2,000.

Ms Charman-Anderson said this showed a “leaky learner pipeline”, with too many adults dropping out before reaching fluency.

She said: “If we want a strong and vibrant future for the Welsh language, we need to support Canolradd learners through to full fluency.”

She also argued that adult fluency is essential if children are to use Welsh outside school.

An Institute of Welsh Affairs report previously warned that children taught through Welsh, but who do not speak Welsh at home, are less likely to overachieve by the end of primary school.

Ms Charman-Anderson said confident Welsh-speaking adults were needed in homes, workplaces and communities to help normalise the use of the language.

She said: “For the Government to achieve its ambition of a million and more Welsh speakers, children need the support of fluent speakers at home and in their communities.”

She also pointed to concerns about the availability of bilingual teachers, citing Senedd research which found that 39% of teachers reported having intermediate Welsh skills or higher, while only a quarter were currently teaching Welsh or through the medium of Welsh.

The same research also identified a downward trend in the number of teachers able to teach through the medium of Welsh.

Ms Charman-Anderson said more focus was needed on helping learners overcome the “intermediate plateau”, where they have a solid understanding of grammar but lack the vocabulary and confidence to use the language day to day.

She said: “None of the available Welsh courses focus on expanding vocabulary or helping learners memorise key grammar points. They introduce concepts and expect learners to fill in the gaps at home, without providing any tools to do so.”

Ymestyn.Cymru describes itself as a fully online programme designed specifically for Canolradd learners. It uses games, quizzes, articles, videos, transcription and speed-reading exercises to help learners build vocabulary, improve listening skills and practise grammar in real-world contexts.

Ms Charman-Anderson added: “The Welsh Government should be supporting programmes like Ymestyn, which are essential to fixing the leaky learner pipeline.

“More help for Canolradd learners will translate into more fluent speakers who are using Welsh day to day, with their children, communities and at work.”

WELSH LIBERAL Democrat leader Jane Dodds has criticised Reform UK’s leader in Wales after he said he would consider accepting money from a convicted criminal if it was his “only option” to pay for security.

Dan Thomas made the comments in an interview with BBC Wales while defending Nigel Farage amid continuing questions over political donations and undeclared support.

Mr Thomas said he did not know the full details of the allegations surrounding Mr Farage, but added that Reform’s UK leader needed significant security while campaigning.

Asked whether he would personally consider taking money from a convicted criminal to fund security, Mr Thomas said he would consider it if it was the only option available.

The comments have now prompted a sharp response from the Welsh Liberal Democrats, who accused Reform of failing to meet the standards expected of political leaders.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS said: “Dan Thomas’s comments are an absolute embarrassment to Welsh politics and a glaring reminder of why Reform cannot be trusted with serious leadership. This, of course, comes after Reform’s last Welsh leader took bribes from Russia.

“To openly admit that you would consider taking money from a convicted criminal, even under certain circumstances, is an insult to the public and a complete abandonment of basic political integrity.

“The people of Wales deserve leaders who uphold the highest ethical standards, not politicians who make casual excuses for murky finances and dodge accountability by claiming the establishment is out to get them, when in fact many Reform politicians are about as establishment as they come.”

The row comes as Reform UK faces growing scrutiny over party funding and support received by senior figures.

Political donations in Great Britain are governed by rules requiring parties and candidates to check whether donations are from permissible sources and to report donations above certain thresholds.

The issue is especially sensitive in Wales because Nathan Gill, a former leader of Reform Wales and former UKIP MEP, was jailed last year after admitting bribery offences linked to pro-Russian interests.

Mr Farage has denied wrongdoing in relation to the current funding row.

The Herald has asked Reform UK Wales for comment.

Andrew RT Davies says Wales’ pandemic response must face a statutory inquiry with the power to compel witnesses and evidence

A ROW has broken out over whether Wales’ promised Covid review will have the legal powers needed to compel witnesses and evidence.

Welsh Conservative Senedd member Andrew RT Davies has challenged the Welsh Government to confirm whether its review of the pandemic response will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005.

Such a move would give the process statutory powers, including the ability to require documents to be produced and witnesses to give evidence.

But in a written answer published by the Senedd, Health Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor did not provide that assurance.

Mr Davies asked: “Will the Welsh Government’s Covid review be regulated under the Inquiries Act 2005 with the power to compel evidence and witnesses?”

Mr ap Gwynfor replied: “We will be updating the Senedd on the Covid-19 review in due course.”

The brief response has raised fresh questions over whether the Welsh Government intends to hold a full statutory inquiry, or a more limited review into Wales’ handling of the pandemic.

The distinction is significant. A statutory inquiry has legal powers to compel evidence, while a review not placed on a statutory footing would be more dependent on voluntary cooperation from ministers, officials and public bodies.

Calls for a Wales-specific Covid inquiry have continued for several years, with bereaved families and opposition politicians arguing that decisions made in Wales by Welsh ministers require detailed scrutiny in Wales.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has examined Welsh decision-making as part of its wider work, but campaigners have repeatedly argued that a UK-wide process cannot fully address Wales-specific issues, including care homes, schools, NHS preparedness, lockdown rules, public messaging and decisions taken by the Welsh Government.

Plaid Cymru previously supported calls for a Wales-specific Covid inquiry while in opposition. However, ministers are now referring to a review of Wales’ Covid response, prompting claims from the Conservatives that the party has softened its position since entering government.

Mr Davies said: “A serious lack of accountability exists within the devolved administrations.

“The Covid-19 response in Wales was exclusively the responsibility of Senedd ministers, yet they’ve continually refused to hold an inquiry.

“A mere review will be insufficient. Wales needs an inquiry with full statutory powers.”

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government to clarify whether the Covid-19 review will be established under the Inquiries Act 2005, and whether it will have powers to compel witnesses and evidence.

The Welsh Government has previously said it will update the Senedd on the Covid-19 review in due course.