Language Revitalisation in Schools — 2026-09-19
A significant shortage of Welsh-medium teachers has been highlighted, with a drop of 205 qualified educators in the past year. Meanwhile, new evidence from Peru demonstrates the efficacy of Quechua-medium instruction in improving learning outcomes, and New Zealand schools are preparing for the rollout of the new curriculum framework with specific Māori-medium resources.
Language Revitalisation in Schools — 2026-09-19
Top developments
Welsh Medium Teacher Numbers Plummet
New data reveals that the number of primary and secondary teachers capable of teaching through the medium of Welsh has fallen by 205 in a single year. This decline comes as the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Education and Welsh Language prepares to outline priorities for the sector. The shortage poses a direct threat to the sustainability of immersion schooling and the government's target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
New Evidence Validates Quechua-Medium Instruction
Recent experimental evaluations in Peru provide strong evidence that teaching in indigenous languages like Quechua can significantly improve learning outcomes and language usage in communities where the language was weakening. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) highlights that bilingual intercultural education is now a nationwide policy in Peru, with over 26,000 schools serving more than 1.2 million children. This research offers a crucial blueprint for other minority-language immersion systems, such as Hawaiian and Sami, by proving that mother-tongue instruction enhances academic performance rather than hindering it.
New Zealand Curriculum Rollout Supports Kura Kaupapa
New Zealand’s Ministry of Education has released implementation guides and resources on Tāhūrangi for school leaders and teachers regarding the new curriculum, specifically addressing Māori-medium settings (Kura Kaupapa). The resources include support for the "Kia Pānui Tāua" reading initiative for students in Years 0–8. This structured rollout is critical for maintaining high-quality Te Reo Māori immersion education as it transitions into the new national framework, ensuring that kaiako (teachers) have the necessary tools to maintain linguistic rigor.
Local view
In Wales, local media outlets like Golwg360 are focusing heavily on the structural challenges facing Welsh-language education, specifically the recruitment crisis. The narrative emphasizes that without a significant increase in teacher training capacity, the strategic plans of local authorities will fail to meet their targets. Stakeholders are calling for urgent action to reverse the trend of teachers leaving the profession due to lack of support or career progression.
Context & numbers
- Welsh Teacher Deficit: A loss of 205 qualified Welsh-medium teachers in the last year.
- Peruvian Bilingual Schools: 26,422 schools offer bilingual intercultural education, serving 1,203,697 students.
- US Dual Language Growth: In the US context, dual language immersion programs grew by 300% between 2010 and 2020, now serving approximately 10% of English Language Learners.
On the radar
- New Welsh Language Officer Roles: Job postings for "Swyddog Datblygu’r Gymraeg" (Welsh Language Development Officer) have appeared in recent days across various Welsh councils, signaling a potential localized push to bolster educational support structures despite the broader teacher shortage.
- Quechua Policy Reinforcement: Following recent IDB reports, there is speculation about further investment in Amazonian teacher training programs in Peru, building on the S/12 million investment announced earlier this year for Intercultural Bilingual Education.
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