TEACHING Welsh as a second language needs to be reviewed to ensure it is more effective, Welsh Conservatives said today.
Ministers need to reassess methods used to teach the language to encourage more people to use it, Shadow Heritage Minister Paul Davies AM claimed.
The review would allow every school pupil in Wales to develop an understanding of the depth and extent of Welsh language culture and history, the Preseli Pembrokeshire AM said.
Shadow Education Minister and South Wales Central AM Andrew Davies said a review must also address the gap in achievement between boys and girls.
Figures published earlier this year showed that at key stage three just over half of all pupils achieved the expected level five or above last year.
One in four pupils also failed to make the top grades at GCSE level last year. This year's figures will be published later this month.
Welsh Conservatives have also proposed Welsh language and community impact assessments for any school threatened with closure.
This would help ensure Welsh remains a vibrant living language and assess the impact of a school's closure on local communities.
Speaking during National Eisteddfod week Welsh Conservatives also claimed the next challenge is to create a truly bilingual Wales by increasing the opportunities to learn Welsh beyond the school gates.
Shadow Education Minister Andrew Davies AM said this could be done by working with schools to increase the community use of campuses over and above their educational roles. By extension they would become meeting places
and social points for the community to come together, he added.
Shadow Heritage Minister Paul Davies said:
"We need to encourage more people to use the Welsh language. Legislation alone cannot achieve that.
"By reviewing the way Welsh is taught as a second language we can look at areas where this strategy is working well, and where there are short comings.
"I welcome the fact more parents are sending their children to Welsh medium schools. It demonstrates a growing confidence in Welsh medium education.
"Pupils and parents need to have confidence in standards at schools where Welsh is taught as a second language. That is why such a review is needed.
"Welsh Conservatives are committed to ensuring Welsh is a vibrant, living language.
"The best way to achieve that is through encouragement, rather than compulsion."
Shadow Education Minister Andrew Davies AM said:
"The success of Welsh medium education, particularly in recent years, is one in which we can all take great pride.
"Welsh Conservatives are committed to ensuring the continued success of Welsh medium education across all ages and to ensuring sufficient courses are available to meet demand from adult learners.
"What is equally important is to ensure the effectiveness of teaching Welsh as a second language.
"By reviewing teaching methods we could encourage more people to use the Welsh language."
