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INTEGRATED STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE WELSH LANGUAGE

Content

1. Introduction

2. Foreword

3. Timeline

4. The Student Experience

5. The Bilingual Workplace

6. The University and its Community

7. Working in Partnership and Research

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1. INTRODUCTION

On 13 December 2013 the University Council approved the recommendation to formulate an

Integrated Plan as presented in a report commissioned by the University, and prepared by

Cwmni Iaith Cyf., to provide a language impact assessment in relation to the decision to

locate dedicated Welsh language accommodation within the Fferm Penglais development.

Recommendation 9 in the report notes:

that Aberystwyth University should consider the development of an integrated strategic plan in

the context of promoting the Welsh language that will draw together all current efforts to

promote the Welsh language within the University and build upon these.1

A discussion paper was presented to the Welsh Language Strategy Committee on 31

January 2014, and approval was given for the preparation of an Integrated Plan by

convening a Task and Finish Group to identify an outline programme and timetable with the

intention of reporting on progress at the meeting of the Committee in May 2014. One of the

Institute Directors of Welsh Language and Culture was appointed Chair with delegated

responsibility to invite members to join the group. The group was convened on the basis of a

series of principles, and staff members with varied work experiences within the University

were brought together.

The final report on the group’s work was presented to the Welsh Language Strategy

Committee on 22 May 2014, and the Committee approved the principles and themes

presented in this Integrated Plan.

A draft version of the Integrated Plan was approved by the University Executive and final

approval of the Scheme was given by the University Council on 9 March 2015.

This document outlines the specific priorities of the Integrated Plan which are set out

thematically and which address the University’s language planning requirements. The

priorities contained in the Integrated Plan are supported by the Welsh Language Scheme

and the Bilingual Skills Strategy as well as the University’s Welsh Medium Academic Plan.

The aim of the Integrated Plan is to draw together the objectives of these three key strategic

documents in order to present a cohesive plan that can take the University forward in

fulfilling its bilingual mission. The themes presented in this Plan have been mapped against

the strategic priorities of the University’s Strategic Plan 2012-2017 and they too have 2017

as their implementation horizon. For each priority identified in the Plan, there is a set of

targets and actions. These targets and actions will be monitored annually and presented to

Council. Bringing this document together has shown that data for some targets was not

always easy to source. In order to plan actions and report progress against the targets, we

need ensure that our data capture and reporting processes are purposefully efficient. The

vast majority of actions can be funded from existing budgets as well as funding achieved

externally. Any further funding considerations will form part of the budget and planning

round.

1 Cwmni Iaith Cyf. “Linguistic Impact Assessment: the location of designated Welsh language accommodation

as part of the Fferm Penglais development,” http://www.aber.ac.uk/cy/media/departmental/theuniversity/pantycelyn/asesiad-effaith-ieithyddol---cymraeg.pdf, p. 38

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We have adopted the title ‘Strategic Integrated Plan for the Welsh Language’ for two

reasons. Firstly it seeks to integrate in the sense of bringing together existing sets of

strategic action to increase bilingualism and to promote the use of Welsh (as shown in the

diagram below). Secondly it will enable us to mainstream the Welsh language and so help

make the Welsh language integral to all relevant aspects of the University’s activities.

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2. FOREWORD

On behalf of members of the Welsh Language Integrated Plan Development Committee, it is

my pleasure to present this Strategic Integrated Plan which sets out a clear vision and

specific recommendations for increasing the use of the Welsh language in all aspects of the

life and work of Aberystwyth University. In presenting the document we invite a lively and

open debate on our engagement with the Welsh language in all aspects of the University’s

activities – with our present and prospective students, our staff, our key stakeholders and

partners, and with the wider public in Wales and further afield. We intend to include the

contribution of all members of Aberystwyth University’s community in the development and

implementation of this Integrated Plan in order to strengthen our approaches to using the

language for study, work, and participation in other aspects of social life.

Aberystwyth University has operated a Welsh Language Scheme since 2003, and in 2014

the Revised Language Scheme was approved. The commitment made by the University

Council to formulate and implement an integrated strategic plan for the Welsh Language

provides a new and exciting opportunity to develop the Language Scheme. As a University

that is aware of its duty to provide a first rate bilingual service to its students, staff and

community, we are eager to establish procedures that will enable us to plan our business in

two languages from the outset. To do this we will consider, through the objectives of this

Plan, the role of the University as a provider of education and of other services, as well as a

major employer and a substantial economic entity with a significant financial turnover.

In recent months the University has been in discussion with officers of the Welsh Language

Commissioner’s Office regarding the implications of the proposed Language Standards,

prepared in accordance with the Welsh Language Measure (Wales) 2011 for our work. This

Integrated Strategic Plan is a pre-emptive response to the Operational Standards, which are

the procedures that we will adopt in relation to internal use of the Welsh Language, and the

Promotion Standards, which are the plans that we will implement to encourage use of the

Welsh language among our students, our staff, our stakeholders and the public that engage

with us. Your support for this work is crucial, and we look forward to hearing your

experiences of the Welsh language at the University, to sharing your ideas for new plans to

promote the language among all - Welsh speakers, Welsh learners and non Welsh-speakers

alike. We look forward to learning more about how the whole University community can

increasingly engage with Welsh, one of the two official languages of the University.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Committee for their time and

dedication to this work. The discussions have been invigorating and productive and all

members made constructive contributions to the vision presented in this Plan. Working with

the members has been a pleasure, and I look forward to their continued participation in

planning for the Welsh language within the University.

Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, Chair of the Integrated Plan Development

Committee

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Integrated Plan Development Committee:

Members:

Ms Gwenan Creunant

Professor Andrew Evans

Dr Hywel Griffiths

Ms Mared Ifan

Dr Rhianedd Jewell

Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones (Chair)

Professor Rhys Jones

Dr Huw Lewis

Dr Sian Lloyd-Williams

Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan

Dr Iwan Owen

Dr Elin Royles

Ms Eiri Siôn

Ms Kath Williams

In attendance: Dr Mari Elin Jones, Dr Gwenno Piette, Mr Geraint Pugh

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3. TIMELINE: SOME RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

Since its establishment as the University College of Wales in 1872, Aberystwyth University –

through its staff and students – has been at the forefront of the Welsh language in academic

study and its advancement in other aspects of public life in Wales. Today, the University

continues to play a leading role.

2001 Centre for Welsh Language Services established Edward Llwyd Centre established

2002 Welsh Language Development Officer appointed

2003 Aberystwyth University’s Welsh Language Scheme approved

2004 First Annual Monitoring Report

2005 Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for the Welsh language appointed

2006 Welsh Medium Provision Marketing Officer appointed Welsh for Adults Centre established First Funding Council (HEFCW) Welsh medium Postgraduate Scholarships awarded

2007 Launch and publication of the first issue of Gwerddon

2008 Welsh Medium Provision Development Officer appointed Welsh Learners Mentoring Scheme launched Gathering of workforce language profiles started Bilingual Skills Strategy approved

2009 First Welsh Medium Teaching Fellow appointed under the Centre for Welsh Medium Higher Education Staffing Plan

2010 The University contributes to the establishment of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol

2011 Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol established First lecturers appointed under the auspices of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Postgraduate Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholarships awarded Clwb Coffi established

2012 Aberystwyth Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol established Undergraduate Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholarships awarded Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Language Skills Certificate launched

2013 The University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s Teaching Room opened in IBERS, Penglais Campus National Shwmae Sumae Day launched Directors of Welsh Language and Culture appointed for the Institutes Pro Vice-Chancellor for Welsh Language and Culture appointed Welsh Language Strategy Committee established

2014 Revised Language Scheme approved First Ras yr Iaith Part-time Welsh Medium Studies launched jointly with Bangor Welsh Students Forum established Future Use of Pantycelyn Working Group established Language Tutor appointed to support students

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4. THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE*

*This section is relevant to University Strategic Objectives 1, 3, 4 and 6

Academic Experience

Student Experience: The University is committed to delivering and enhancing the bilingual experience of students studying at Aberystwyth. A new Welsh Medium Academic Plan will encompass: setting out the Institutes’ Welsh medium targets and priorities; describing the support available for students in their Welsh medium studies and enhance the development of bilingual skills; offering encouragement for students who have no knowledge of Welsh to take up the opportunity to learn a new language; holding regular meetings of the Welsh Student Forum; preparing a Marketing Plan for academic provision through the medium of Welsh which will promote the value of bilingualism in the workplace; and conducting research into the student experiences of living, studying and working in Welsh within the University.

From Agriculture to Childhood Studies, and from Physics to Politics, there are many opportunities to undertake study through the medium of Welsh at Aberystwyth University. Welsh medium study is available at each of the six Institutes. All six Institutes offer degree schemes where students can take up to one third of their modules in Welsh. In addition, two of the Institutes offer depth of provision which enables students to pursue full Welsh medium degree schemes in subjects such as Welsh, History, Drama and Theatre Studies, Film and Television, Geography and Politics. There has been a marked increase in Welsh provision in the sciences over recent years, and many of our students benefit from studying bilingually in Mathematics, Physics, Biological Sciences and Agriculture. More recently, with the support of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, the University has started to develop provision in Computer Science. Similarly, professional and vocational fields such as Law and Criminology and Business Studies are increasing the number of modules provided through the medium of Welsh and have seen more students opting for the provision.

In light of the competitive jobs market, studying through the medium of Welsh has many benefits, and data collected by the University’s Careers Service shows that 90% of students who study an element of their degree schemes in Welsh are in employment or are studying for a higher degree within six months of graduation. The University provides generous scholarships for students studying through the medium of Welsh, and many of our undergraduate schemes are eligible for Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholarships, up to a value of £3,000. Similarly, Masters Scholarships are provided for some of the University’s postgraduate schemes, and several students over the years have received Coleg Cymraeg Research Scholarships to promote research and scholarship through the medium of Welsh. The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol has developed a Language Skills Certificate to recognise the Welsh language skills of students studying at universities in Wales. Every Welsh-speaking student at Aberystwyth University has the opportunity to gain this important qualification which will be recognised by employers as evidence that graduates have achieved a recognised standard in practical skills in writing and speaking Welsh.

The University takes full advantage of the national schemes funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to increase opportunities for students to study through the medium of Welsh. The Aberystwyth Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg is located within the Centre for Welsh

Language Services, and University staff and students join the Branch to become members of the wider Coleg community and Aberystwyth’s lively Welsh society. Its members collaborate closely with the Coleg to develop and promote Welsh medium provision at Aberystwyth. Aberystwyth has a long tradition of teaching subjects through the medium of Welsh and our contribution to the Coleg’s work is therefore

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substantial. Since 2011 the University has added to the proportion and range of Welsh medium provision by means of lectureships funded by the Coleg’s Academic Staffing Plan, and we lead on many national projects funded by the Coleg as well as several academic disciplines through the medium of Welsh including Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Biological Sciences & Agriculture, Law and Politics,.

Report STR04097 and STR02212 October 2014

The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol has set ambitious targets for the University to increase

the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh by 2015/16 to enable the

whole sector to achieve the national target set by the Welsh Government. It is expected that

by 2015/16, 626 students at Aberystwyth University will pursue at least 5 credits through the

medium of Welsh and 476 of those students will pursue at least 40 credits through the

medium of Welsh.

These are indeed ambitious targets. However, we are already building on success. In

2012/13, 517 students (43% of Welsh speaking students) followed at least 5 credits through

the medium of Welsh, and 358 (30%) followed at least 40 credits. In the following year (in

2013/14), the increase in the figures was as follows: 558 students (or 57% of Welsh-

speaking students) following 5 credits and 399 (or 41%) following 40 credits.

We have seen an 8% increase in those taking 5 credits and 12% increase in those taking

more than 40 credits in Welsh.

In order to reach our new targets by 2017, we need to plan for an increase of a

further 12% in those taking 5 credits and a further 19% in students taking 40 credits

through the medium of Welsh.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Figure 1: Students who study through the medium of Welsh, fluent speakers and Aberystwyth University target

Israddedigion rhugl

Uwchraddedigion rhugl

Cyfanswm rhugl

Nifer yn astudio trwy gyfrwngy Gymraeg

Number studying through the

medium of Welsh

Total fluent

Fluent postgraduates

Fluent undergraduates

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Centre for Welsh Language Services Monitoring Reports 2014/15.

We will aim to achieve these targets by:

Ensuring that our academic provision can support flexible approaches to

Welsh-medium and bilingual modules and modes of study.

Giving consideration to how Welsh-medium provision in one department

within an Institute can benefit Welsh-speaking students in other departments

within the same Institute – and across Institutes – in order to increase the

choices available in Welsh and the number studying through the medium of

Welsh, by mapping multi-disciplinary routes and/or considering fields that

overlap between disciplines.

Continuing to collaborate with other institutions and the Coleg Cymraeg to

offer collaborative or national provision to Aberystwyth students, including in

disciplines where there has not been investment in Aberystwyth University

through the Staffing Plan, but where there are Welsh-speaking students.

Refining our data reporting methods. For example, ensuring that all Welsh-

medium provision can be captured and that significant ‘informal’ Welsh-

medium provision is reported accurately according to the official threshold as

part of the Welsh medium data.

Reporting on postgraduate students who pursue all or part of their studies

through the medium of Welsh.

Registering Category 1 Welsh-speaking students on Welsh-medium modules

as default, in accordance with the Executive’s decision.

Working with students to encourage them to study through the medium of

Welsh, especially those who can speak Welsh but who currently do not study

through the medium of Welsh for various reasons.

Raising awareness among all students of the advantages in the labour market

of bilingual skills.

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Figure 2: Percentage of students who speak Welsh and who study through the medium of Welsh and target for increase

Israddedigion

Uwchraddedigion

Cyfanswm

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Providing linguistic support for students studying through the medium of

Welsh through the Language Tutor funded by the Coleg.

There will be representation from the University’s Branch of the Coleg on the

new Academic Development & Planning Committee and this will provide a

central place for the Welsh language in planning the University’s academic

provision.

Our Academic Staff

According to the data provided through the Welsh Government Report2, Aberystwyth University has second highest number of academic staff able to teach through the medium of Welsh (165 in 2012/13) and the highest percentage in Wales of its bilingual academic staff (82%) undertaking teaching through the medium of Welsh. The percentage of academic staff able to teach through the medium of Welsh at Aberystwyth University in 2012/13 was 16.4%.

The table below shows the number of staff teaching through the medium of Welsh per Institute from 2010/11 to 2014/2015.

Targets:

100% of students able to complete 5 credits through the medium of Welsh;

Increase the percentage of fluent Welsh-speaking Undergraduates studying through the medium of Welsh to at least 75% by 2017/18;

Increase the proportion of Welsh speaking students completing the Language Skills Certificate.

Increase opportunities for non-fluent Welsh speakers to improve their Language Skills .

Increase Welsh and bilingual modules in target fields.

2 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2014/140918-welsh-higher-education-institutions-2012-13-cy.pdf

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Number of staff who teach through the medium of Welsh per Institute

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

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Action:

Seek further improvements in capturing data in order to accurately report the level of Welsh-medium and bilingual provision;

Ensure that our academic provision can support flexible approaches to Welsh medium and bilingual modules and modes of study.

Create and implement a Three-year Academic Plan setting out Institutional targets and priorities in developing Welsh medium provision.

Collaborate with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to develop and lead a Welsh medium Higher Education Academic Strategy. Continue the University’s involvement with the Coleg, through the Board of Directors, the Academic Board, the Subject Panels, the Academic Collaboration Committee and the Advisory Board, ensuring that this is core to the University’s Welsh medium Academic Plan.

Create and implement a Marketing Plan specifically for Welsh medium provision and intensify efforts to recruit Welsh domiciled students.

Continue to include a “Welsh medium learning” category in the annual Student Led Learning and Teaching Awards;

Conduct research projects into the experiences of students vis à vis the Welsh language and act upon the findings.

Social Experience

Aberystwyth University is renowned as a popular destination for students wishing to live a full academic and social life through the medium of Welsh. Aberystwyth can take pride in being the place where many Welsh language organisations were established or came to be based. The vitality of these Welsh language organisations continues and the extensive engagement of Welsh students with societies and clubs within the University and beyond is an important feature of the renowned contribution made by our Alumni to the economy, society and culture of Wales. Naturally much of this vigour arises from the efforts of the student community itself, but support is also provided by the University’s Service Departments and Academic Institutes. Anecdotally we know there is widespread enthusiasm and support for the “Welsh-medium Student Experience” among Welsh speaking students and it is cited as an important factor in deciding to study at Aberystwyth. One of our objectives is to maintain and enhance this experience and our students’ satisfaction with that experience.

Designated Welsh Medium Accommodation

The practice of providing designated Welsh medium accommodation began in the 1960s in separate halls for men and women. After pressure from students to raise the status of the Welsh language, Neuadd Pantycelyn, opened in 1951, was designated a mixed catered Welsh medium hall in 1973-74 with Dr John Davies as a well-known Warden until 1992. Neuadd John Williams, on the seafront, was also a designated Welsh medium hall, offering self-catering accommodation during the 1980s and 1990s.

Having access to designated Welsh-medium accommodation is an important factor for many students in choosing to study at Aberystwyth University. In addition, the Welsh language environment created through designated Welsh-speaking accommodation enables second-language Welsh students to use the language daily and to gain confidence as well as encouraging students from other countries and backgrounds to learn the language.

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The University is developing its high quality student accommodation provision with the opening of Fferm Penglais in 2015 and designated Welsh-medium accommodation will continue to be offered.

The Students’ Union

The first body to represent students was established in 1900 and the work of the Students’ Union has evolved substantially since then. The Union represents the interests of all students at Aberystwyth, and holds campaigns and provides advisory services and support. The Union offers many social opportunities for students and provides a number of different sports clubs and societies as well as opportunities to volunteer. The Welsh language has had a more prominent part in the Union for some years now. The Union employs a full-time sabbatical Officer responsible for Welsh Affairs and that officer is responsible for running Aberystwyth Welsh Students’ Union (UMCA). Through this partnership, the Union provides Welsh lessons for learners, holds Iaith Gwaith (Welsh in the Workplace) sessions for staff, provides templates for Welsh clubs and societies which make it easier for them to comply with the bilingual policy. The Union has also passed the NUS Wales Welsh Language Charter which sets specific requirements with regards the use and promotion of the Welsh language by the Union. Welsh awards are available to clubs and societies which work hard to promote the Welsh language and which make a special effort to make significant use of the language. A number of the Union's staff speak Welsh and can provide services through the medium of Welsh, which ensures that students are able to receive advice in the language of their choice, and to contribute through the medium of Welsh in formal meetings of the Union as translation equipment is available. One of the Union's part-time officers is also responsible for the Welsh language, namely the Welsh Language Officer, and the officer works with the President to support UMCA campaigns to promote the use of Welsh and the needs of Welsh speakers, e.g. Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae (a national one-day event to celebrate the Welsh language), Rali Gerallt and NUS Wales’ Welsh Language Charter, as well as working with UMCA to provide events in the Union building which includes Welsh language events and events about Wales. This includes promoting Welsh radio programmes for students and also hold Sŵn events, an evening of Welsh language music, in the Union once a month. The Union’s commitment to the Welsh language has increased greatly over the past few years, and the bilingual policy is now one of the main policies of the Union, and demonstrates their commitment to the language and its speakers here in Aberystwyth.

UMCA and the Welsh Student Forum

Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Aberystwyth (Aberystwyth Welsh Students’ Union) was established in 1974, the first students’ union of its type in Wales. It now has a full time employed Sabbatical Officer and once again Aberystwyth led the way, setting significant precedents for the other Welsh students’ unions.

UMCA has an active membership of around 300 students and operates with a President and Executive structure. Various events are organised throughout the year, from the hectic celebrations of Freshers Week to regular events such as RAG week (to raise money for local and national charities) and Wythnos Nefi Blw at the end of the year. On a day-to-day basis the President and members of the Executive team undertake a range of duties to support

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Welsh speaking students be they UMCA members or not, as well as supporting the activities of other Welsh medium student organisations, such as Aelwyd Pantycelyn, y Geltaidd, y Gymdeithas Gymraeg Ail-iaith and Aberystwyth’s Welsh medium Christian Union.

UMCA has played a notable role in the development of the politics and public life of Wales over the decades. As well as contributing to national and international campaigns on a range of issues, UMCA and its members led the student campaign to establish the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

UMCA’s President and members of the Executive are also members of University committees and contribute substantially to discussions related to Welsh medium academic provision for students, and ensuring that resources and administrative provisions are available in Welsh. In 2014 the Welsh Students’ Forum was established as an opportunity for University students and staff to come together to discuss all aspects related to the experience of Welsh-speaking students.

UMCA does not only provide for Welsh-speakers. Free Welsh lessons have been provided for University students and staff for many years, and this year around 150 registered to receive lessons. This is an excellent opportunity to take pride in the Welsh language and its culture and to help others to appreciate it also. UMCA and Aberystwyth also host the annual Inter-College Dance, an event that attracts students from all of Wales’ Welsh Unions, as well as some students from further afield, to Aberystwyth for one weekend in November for sporting competitions and a gig. It is one of the main events on the calendar of any Welsh student in Wales with around 700 students attending.

Targets:

80% of Welsh-speaking students expressing satisfaction with the ‘Welsh Language

Experience’.

80% of all students from Wales expressing satisfaction with the opportunities to

access the range of Welsh language student experiences.

80% of all students (UK, European and International) expressing awareness of the

opportunity to access Welsh language cultural and social experiences.

Action:

Establish a Welsh Centre for the University and create an appropriate space on

Penglais Campus for a Social Centre, to operate as a hub for Welsh language events

and culture.

The University to continue to support the post of UMCA President / Welsh Affairs as

part of the Agreement with the Students’ Union.

Support student-led activities including activities organised by UMCA and the

Students’ Union which provide positive experiences for students to use Welsh.

Continue to support the newly-established Welsh Students’ Forum as a means of

representing the opinion of Welsh-speaking students to improve the Welsh

experience for our students.

Set specific questions relating to the Welsh language students’ experience through

the National Student Survey

Ensure that the Welsh Experience for our students is a recognised component of the

wider plans for improving the Student Experience.

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Continue to provide a choice of Welsh medium accommodation that supports an

inclusive and attractive community.

Integrate bilingualism into the new Employability Strategy across the University,

including surpassing the current 90% Employability Outcomes achieved by students

who have studied wholly or partly in Welsh.

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5. THE BILINGUAL WORKPLACE *

*This section is relevant to University Strategic Objectives 1, 5 and 6.

Internal Use of the Welsh Language: The University is committed to increasing the use of

the Welsh language in the workplace and providing positive experiences for staff and

students. Language support and training are provided to staff and students to learn and

improve Welsh language skills. University services are provided in English and Welsh.

The University began developing a specific Welsh language policy in the 1960s and the

policy was formalised and expanded in 1978 when a comprehensive report was presented to

the Court. A Joint Committee of Council and Senate was established to continue with the

review of the policy and to oversee its implementation. The University Charter also declares

Welsh as one of two official languages of the institution. The University’s Welsh Language

Scheme was adopted in 2003, in accordance with the Welsh Language Act 1993, and the

Scheme was revised in 2014. We are now preparing the ground for the implementation of

the proposed Language Standards in accordance with the Welsh Language Measure 2011.

The University recruits Welsh-speaking academic and administrative staff and students who

choose to work, study and socialise in the language, and over the years a number of non-

Welsh speaking staff and students have benefited from Welsh lessons provided by the

University. This supportive language provision was strengthened with the establishment of

the Mid-Wales Welsh for Adults Centre in 2006, and workplace language sector domains

were expanded. We intend to build on this solid infrastructure and wish to increase the use

of Welsh in the workplace and socially.

As part of the process of reconfiguring the University’s academic structure, Directors of

Welsh Language and Culture were appointed for each Institute. The Directors of Welsh are

responsible for developing their Institute’s Welsh medium academic provision and for

overseeing bilingual administration which enables staff and students to receive services in

Welsh.

The University’s Bilingual Skills Strategy has been approved by the Welsh Language

Commissioner and the main aim of this Strategy is to appoint staff who have appropriate

linguistic skills to fulfil specific duties bilingually. The Strategy also aims to provide suitable

training for current staff to fulfil the linguistic demands of their posts and develop a workforce

that has the confidence to work in both languages. In 2013 new linguistic descriptors were

adopted to assist in assigning the appropriate Welsh language ability required for each post.

Currently the Welsh language skills of about 2/3 of the workforce are known and more needs

to be done to gain a more accurate picture.

The University provides Welsh lessons for staff free of charge and last year almost sixty

members of staff took up this opportunity. The lessons are supported by informal activities

such as the Learner Mentoring Scheme, which brings fluent staff and learners together to

practise speaking the language, and the Clybiau Coffi (Coffee Clubs) which meet once a

month across the campuses. Our aim is to ensure that a greater number of staff become

more confident in their use of Welsh so that they can use the language in their day to day

work.

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Creating a conducive environment and providing efficient support structures to increase the

confidence of staff to use the Welsh language in the workplace is key to the development of

the bilingual workplace. The provision of skills sessions, focusing on the written language, is

equally important in extending and developing our staff’s formal Welsh language skills. We

encourage staff that have the appropriate skills to have a go at writing emails and short

documents in Welsh, and we provide a proofreading service as needed. Also as language

technology improves and develops, we shall seek to maximize the opportunities for

language learning and the enhancement of linguistic skills, for the benefit of all our staff.

The University also promotes the Welsh language by contributing to national events and

festivals, and a variety of events are held during the National Shwmae Su’mae Day, St

David’s Day celebrations, the Urdd Eisteddfod and the National Eisteddfod. We will continue

to take every opportunity to take pride in the language and encourage all members of the

University to participate in social events and the formal opportunities available to use Welsh.

Targets:

Increase the known Welsh language skills within the workplace to at least 80% of the

workforce;

90% of fluent Welsh-speaking staff using Welsh in their work on a daily basis;

50% of staff who are learning Welsh or who don’t consider themselves fluent using

Welsh in their work on a daily basis;

Increase the number of staff attending Welsh in the Workplace classes;

Enhancing the ‘linguistic landscape’ of the Welsh language across the campus.

Action:

Conduct a Welsh Language Use Audit of University staff, students and service users

to identify attitudes to language use, training needs and to enable strategic planning.

The audit will provide a baseline for setting targets and measuring progress annually.

Continue to implement our Bilingual Skills Strategy and provide reliable data that will

form the basis for language planning across the University.

Develop a Policy on Internal Use of the Welsh language relevant to the new Welsh

Language Standards.

Provide language support to those who wish to develop their bilingual skills.

Provide Language Awareness sessions for new staff as part of their induction training

and enable current staff to attend regularly provided training.

Increase social use of Welsh internally for staff and students by building on current

plans and developing new ones.

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6. THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS COMMUNITY*

*This section is relevant to University Strategic Objectives 1, 5 and 6.

The University and its Community: We will work in partnership with staff and students and

will engage with the public in Wales to achieve the objectives of the Integrated Plan and

develop it further. We will collaborate with experts in specific fields to develop projects and

will gather the opinions and ideas of our service users in relation to ways of promoting the

Welsh language and encouraging its use.

The University is aware of its responsibility to support the local community in Aberystwyth

and Ceredigion, and in adopting this Plan we will ensure that the Welsh language is

considered when creating new projects and initiatives, and in developing the University’s

work. We will continue to give consideration to contracting locally when commissioning

external work to ensure a strong socio-economic infrastructure that will help enable the

Welsh language to flourish. We will also pay due attention to the requirements of the Welsh

Language Scheme’s Third Party Clauses, and will conduct a linguistic impact assessment of

new developments, initiatives and policies.

Promoting community participation through the nurturing of links with the Welsh-speaking

community, by supporting and organising public events in Welsh is a core part of the

University’s mission. We will develop a programme of social and academic events under the

auspices of the Branch, including research, academic and administrative seminars and

workshops, for our staff, students and the wider community to enjoy. We will also collaborate

with the Arts Centre to provide opportunities to use its services in Welsh and provide Welsh

events, and with the Sports Centre to provide elements of training and workshops in Welsh.

This will enhance the visual presence of the Welsh language on campus and also

opportunities to hear and use the language.

Aberystwyth University is cognisant of its role in working closely with the school population in

Ceredigion and in Wales to develop and extend its Welsh language and bilingual activities

across the curriculum, especially as bilingualism grows in the education sector in Wales. We

wish to provide exciting opportunities for young people to see the range and depth of

activities available in Welsh at higher education, and to see the language beyond their

current classrooms.

The University Council has approved the process of creating a business plan for the

establishment of a Welsh Centre and this work is ongoing. The aim of this project is to

provide a focus for the University’s Welsh activities and to provide opportunities for the wider

community to use any University resources which have been assigned to promote the Welsh

language. The establishment of a Welsh Centre will enable us to provide resources to

support the fulfilment of our commitment to promote the Welsh language and provide an

advisory service in the fields of the language, economy and culture of Wales. In turn, this will

strengthen the University’s national and international profile in the fields of research into

bilingualism, the economy and culture of Wales.

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Target:

Working in partnership with the local community and Welsh Government, seek to

increase the number and proportion of people in the area able to speak Welsh in the

2021 Census.

Increase the range and depth of Welsh language and bilingual activities aimed at the

Welsh school population.

Action:

Continue to support and recognise the voluntary contributions made by staff to

sustaining Welsh-language activities, networks and societies in the area.

Continue to support the University’s presence at local and national events such as

the National Eisteddfod and the Urdd National Eisteddfod, as well as contributing to

new initiatives – such as Shwmae Su’mae and Ras yr Iaith.

Conduct a Language Impact Assessment of new developments, initiatives and

policies.

Establish a Centre to be a focus for Welsh activities for the University community and

the wider community.

Promote community participation by nurturing links with the Welsh community by

sponsoring and organising public events in Welsh.

Contribute to priorities set in the Welsh Government Policy Statement, ‘Moving

Forward’.

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7. Working in Partnership and Research

*This Section is relevant to Aims 2, 4, 5 and 6 in the University’s Strategic Plan 2012-2017.

Working in Partnership and Research: Research is at the core of Aberystwyth University’s

strategic aims, and as such we will continue to encourage, develop and implement

innovative research activity of international standing across a range of disciplines. As a

medium-sized University, working across disciplines and interdisciplinarity are features of

our research activity. In addition, working in collaboration with other universities around the

world, as well as with external organizations and other partners are vital to the success of

our research. In particular, as a University with a long history and tradition of contributing to

scholarship and public life in Wales, our contribution to research through the medium of

Welsh - as well as Welsh focussed research - is a cornerstone of our activity in this area.

Research through the medium of Welsh: the University is aware of its responsibility to

maintain its role as a stronghold to continue to develop Welsh as a language of academic

research across a wide range of disciplines; from subjects that already have a substantial

research tradition in the language to those disciplines where new research discourses are

emerging in Welsh for the first time. The contribution of Aberystwyth University's staff and

students to the development of learning and research through the medium of Welsh is

indeed substantial over many decades. It is of utmost importance that the capacity for

innovation in this field is sustained.

Research through the medium of Welsh and the Research Excellence Framework

The total number of research outputs in Welsh submitted to the Research Excellence

Framework is low. Of the individual outputs presented by Aberystwyth University, 42 items

(or 3.7%) were outputs through the medium of Welsh. If we consider the number of

academics returned to the REF, we see that 6% of our academic staff contributed at least

one output through the medium of Welsh. In turn, this means that just over 10% of our

academic staff who teach through the medium of Welsh have contributed to the REF

submission with a research output through the medium of Welsh – across a range of topics –

to the standards required for our submission to the Research Excellence Framework.

This places Aberystwyth in the leading position of all UK Universities for research outputs

through the medium of Welsh in the REF 2013, both in terms of range of disciplines and

volume.

Languages and International Research

The academic staff and research students at Aberystwyth University are also part of

international research communities. Through partnerships, these researchers work with

academics and other stakeholders throughout the world, and contribute to the international

profile of the Welsh language, as one of the world's academic languages, alongside the

official languages of states, with greater numbers of speakers.

The research value of a particular language should not be limited to counting the number of

scholarly publications it has to its name, least of all limited to the items submitted to the REF.

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As an institution, we recognise the role of different languages in the various steps within

research processes, from planning to implementation and dissemination. We use the Welsh

language in research training for staff and students, in research monitoring, in research

groups, in conducting research as well as in seminars, lectures and publications of all kinds.

Researching the Welsh language and Wales-focussed Research

Clearly, not all research on the Welsh language, or all research that focuses on Wales takes

place through the medium of Welsh. Neither is research conducted in the Welsh language

limited to Welsh language issues or Wales-focussed contexts. Indeed, the research of

academics and students of Aberystwyth University includes theoretical and contextual work

that has nothing to do with the Welsh language as a subject of research or indeed Wales as

a context, other than Welsh as a language through which the research is expressed.

However, it is appropriate that research activities focussing on the Welsh language, on

Welsh issues and on Wales as a context are conducted using the Welsh language as a

medium of research. The contribution of academic staff and research students at

Aberystwyth University to the development of knowledge and understanding in these areas

are considerable. In addition, a strong Welsh language ethos among the academic staff

contributes to attracting other scholars into research activity relating to Wales.

Gwerddon

Gwerddon is a peer-reviewed, electronic, cross-disciplinary academic journal which

publishes scholarly work in Welsh since 2007. It was established following discussion in the

Board of Welsh Medium Studies. For many years it has been an aspiration to see significant

progress in the field of Welsh medium research across the academic communities. As part

of the effort to promote the status of the language within higher education, it was considered

vitally important to promote the use of Welsh as a language of research and to that end it

was decided to establish an academic journal that would serve as a forum for the publication

of scholarly work through the medium of Welsh across the Humanities, the Sciences and the

Arts.

Gwerddon’s main objective is to stimulate academic discussion through the medium of

Welsh, to stimulate the research culture in the Welsh language, and to provide a suitable

platform for publishing world-class research in the Welsh language across as wide a range

as possible of disciplines – especially in those areas where Welsh has not traditionally been

used. It is an initiative of vital importance in extending opportunities to communicate, to

share and to publish through the medium of Welsh for all who are engaged in research in

Wales or further afield.

Targets:

Retain our leading position in terms of range and volume of Welsh medium research

outputs to REF2020.

Increase the percentage of academic staff, who are able to teach through the

medium of Welsh, who submit a Welsh-language output for consideration to

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REF2020 to 33%3 (providing that similar conditions apply, i.e. 4 outputs per FT

individual).

Enhance the bilingual profile of our research students.

Increase the number of doctorates submitted in Welsh; extend the range of subject

areas. Enhance our supervision capacity in the Welsh language.

Improve the support available for postgraduates to advance their Welsh language

skills – ensuring that at least 5 credits are available in each year of study.

Develop a strategy to support Welsh focussed research, recognising the role of

Welsh medium research in this specific area.

Action:

Continue our leading contribution to scholarly research through the medium of

Welsh, and support its development as our repertoire of Welsh medium provision

extends into new fields.

Support research activity through the medium of Welsh at Departmental, Institute and

Institutional level, including interdisciplinary and cross disciplinary research.

Report annually on the research activity in the Welsh language (using the PURE

system)

Ensure that all staff – particularly early career researchers or newly appointed

academic staff are encouraged and supported to use the Welsh language in their

research.

Support and develop a vibrant community of postgraduate students who use Welsh

during their period at Aberystwyth University; providing appropriate training and

opportunities for those who use Welsh as a language of research as well as for those

who use the language for other aspects of their lives at Aberystwyth University

(including enhancing employability skills).

Maintain and develop doctoral supervision capacity through the medium of Welsh

across a range of subjects and disciplines.

Maintain, support and increase the number and range of research seminars, lectures,

mentoring and training undertaken through the medium of Welsh, through RBI, the

Institutes and other parts of the University.

Recognise the particular role and responsibility of the University in advancing

knowledge about Wales and the Welsh language – through a number of research

actions both in Welsh and in other languages.

3 i.e. The percentage of Research Active WM academic staff, whose research profile includes at least one

publication of REF standing, regardless of whether the individual or item is included in the University’s final submission. A number of new WM appointments were early career researchers and therefore not submitted to REF 2013. Many are appointments in disciplines where Welsh is an emerging language of research.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Aberystwyth University Welsh Language Scheme

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/media/departmental/cwls/pdfs/REVISED-WELSH-

LANGUAGE-SCHEME-2014.pdf

Staff Guide to the Welsh Language Scheme

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/cgg/bilingual-policy/staff-guide/

Bilingual Skills Strategy

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/cgg/bilingual-policy/bilingual-skills-strategy/

Translation and Support

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/cgg/translation-and-support/

University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ccc/

Gwerddon

http://www.gwerddon.org/en/home/

Centre for Welsh Language Services

Aberystwyth University

Hugh Owen

Penglais

Aberystwyth

Ceredigion

SY23 3DY

01970 622045

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/cgg/