QAA Cymru publishes latest annual report on Welsh language engagement

QAA Cymru has published our annual report on engagement with the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 during academic year 2023-24.

The report charts how QAA meets our commitments to the Welsh Language Standards (No. 2 regulations) 2016 in service delivery, operations, policy-making and record-keeping. It also demonstrates our wider commitment to the Welsh language and its role in higher education in Wales.

QAA’s commitment to the Welsh language includes Welsh Language Standards and Awareness training for staff and our cross-organisational Welsh Language Working Group.

In 2023-24, we continued to develop our agreed responsibilities for meeting the standards across the organisation and continued to progress and identify areas for development, including areas highlighted by our Welsh Language Audit in March 2023.

QAA continued to engage with the work of the Welsh Language Commissioner, taking part in the Welsh Language Commissioner's stakeholder perception survey and consultations on regulatory outcomes and policy-making standards.

During this period, we participated in events organised by the Welsh Language Commissioner and took part in the Welsh Government's event exploring 'Innovation and Good Practice in Language Planning and Policy' in February 2024.

QAA also took part in the 'Use Your Welsh Campaign' between 27 November and 11 December 2023, publishing a series of social media posts promoting some of our activities and events in Wales.

QAA Cymru also initiated a project exploring the impact of staff professional development on teaching practice and student learning. This included three case studies focused on Welsh language: ‘Basic, Better, Best’: Supporting bilingual delivery in FE (Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion); Improving Welsh language confidence and competence through bilingual delivery (Bridgend College); and 'Work Welsh+ in higher education' (Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol).

David Gale, QAA's Head of Wales and Northern Ireland said: "We’re proud of our progress in ensuring that our activities are as accessible as possible for Welsh-language speakers. We are committed to supporting Welsh-language opportunities, and we look forward to continuing to work with colleagues across the sector in Wales to achieve this."

You can read the full report on our website in Welsh and in English.