Leighton Andrews AM

Language Game

Here's a game for Welsh Learners from the Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University:

Education Questions

I can't seem to get the link embedded, but you can see last week's Education Questions here.

National Eisteddfod - Cymdeithas Cledwyn speech

 
A few weeks ago I posted a short blog about my visit to the Eisteddfod, referring specifically to my speech at the Cymdeithas Cledwyn fringe meeting. During this speech I set out the steps we are taking in Government to develop the language, building on the work started by the One Wales Government and Labour’s manifesto. I also discussed the approach I feel Welsh Labour should take towards Welsh language issues.

The text is now online and can be viewed in Welsh or in English.

 

National Eisteddfod 2011

 
I enjoyed my visit to the Eisteddfod, where I spoke at the Cymdeithas Cledwyn fringe meeting, outlining the steps we have taken as a Government to swiftly implement the Welsh Language measure and advertise the post of Welsh Language Commissioner. I also articulated the need to maintain a consensus on the language and set out Labour's agenda for this issue. The meeting was chaired by Eleri Edwards, a long-time Labour campaigner for devolution and the language, who is pictured with me in the photo above.

I also spoke at the Trade and Industry reception, re-launched Sgiliaith for Coleg Llandrillo, and celebrated further steps that have been taken by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. It was good to see some of my fellow ‘Yes for Wales’ campaigners like Gwenllian Lansdown, whom I hadn't seen since the referendum victory. Congratulations also to Susan Elan Jones MP, who launched a new campaign about online banking in Welsh.

 

Media coverage:

Strategy to boost use of welsh in everyday life

Angen cadw’r consensws, meddai’r Gweinidog Iaith

National Eisteddfod: Future events must prove their worth to get funding, says minister

Eisteddfod must show positive results to get more Government cash Minister says

 

Minister for Education and Skills

I am thrilled to have retained responsibility for Education and to have been given the responsibility for the Welsh Language following the appointment of Carwyn's Cabinet.

Dwi'n falch iawn i ddechrau cyfrifoldeb newydd ar gyfer yr Iaith Gymraeg yn y Llywodraeth.

Tonypandy in the media

There are a number of programmes to mark the centenary of the riots. The programme made by Green Bay (John Geraint from Penygraig and Phil George from Treorchy) goes out on the BBC on Sunday evening, and there is also a Radio Wales programme.

The Radio Cymru programme is available on the BBC website here. It is fascinating, not only for the story of the strike but also as a reminder of the provenance of the Welsh Language in the Rhondda at the time, with archive interviews in Welsh with the former Rhondda MP the late W.H. Mainwaring.

Education Questions November 3rd

BBC Wales's Welsh Knot programme

I didn't see BBC Wales's eventual Welsh Knot programme, but I note it has stirred up some debate. My own sympathies lie with the views set out on the Clwb Malu Cachu blog, rather than with the presenter, David Williams, who sets out his views here. 

The programme-makers asked to interview me as Education Minister, though the focus of questions was less about Welsh medium education than the use of Welsh in the community. I don't know how the programme eventually came across, but as the Clwb Malu Cachu site suggests, the tone of the interview I thought trivialised a serious issue.

Dychwelyd o'r Eisteddfod

Dwi wedi cymryd rhan yn llawer o ddigwyddiadau yn y Steddfod - lansio ymgyrch darllen gyda Nigel Owens (llun o Nigel), lansio pecyn dysgwyr amgueddfa cenedlaethol Blaenafon gyda ei awdur Cennard Davies (Cynhongwr yn Nhreorci), lansio Canolfan Hywel Teifi gyda'i fab Huw Edwards, hyrwyddo llenyddiaeth Cymreig yn Saesneg gyda Daniel Williams a Dai Smith a dwi wedi anghofio rhai eraill. Dwi wedi cwrdd a Susan Robeson hefyd - pan o'n i dirpwy gweinidog dros adfywio, cefnogais i syniad i ddod a hi i'r Steddfod.

Y prynhawn'ma, dwi wedi siarad i'r cyfarfod Cymdeithas yr Iaith. Mae Vaughan Roderick wedi sylw am hynny. 

Strategaeth Addysg Cyfrwng Cymraeg