New report shows Welsh language use among young people outside school is 'limited'
Questionnaires were completed by over 1600 children and young people aged 11-21 across Wales
Last updated 30th May 2025
A new report published by the Welsh Language Commissioner reveals the use of the Welsh language by children and young people inside and outside the school gates.
Questionnaires were completed by over 1600 children and young people aged 11-21 across Wales, and six focus groups were held.
NSPCC Cymru says the report highlights the need for the Welsh Government, along with other organisations, to continue its work of considering approaches to changing attitudes and behaviour in order to encourage more children and young people to consider the Welsh language as belonging to them.
Efa Gruffudd Jones, Welsh Language Commissioner, says:
"Children and young people are vital to the future of the Welsh language. This wide-ranging research offers us an insight into the use of Welsh by young people.
"Our five-year strategic plan published earlier this year responds to the main conclusions of this research and outlines how I will take action to encourage greater use of the Welsh language among young people.
"The research also provides us with an evidence base as we draw up our manifesto proposals for the Senedd election in 2026, which will be published within the coming months.
"There is no doubt that the report highlights significant challenges particularly in the field of social media but it also identifies opportunities, in the area of sport for example, and I will prioritise creating and strengthening strategic partnerships in order to further develop those opportunities."
Myfanwy Jones, Director of Mentrau Iaith Cymru, says:
"It is clear that there are a large number of respondents who do not use Welsh very often outside of school but are generally supportive of the Welsh language and wish to have more opportunities to use the language.
"As part of our remit, we are constantly looking for further opportunities to expand our community activities in order to offer opportunities for young people to use the Welsh language naturally.
"The report shows that that this work is crucial and we will work with the Commissioner and other partners to develop it further in the future."
Efa Jones, a first year university student and former pupil at Ysgol Bro Dur in Port Talbot says:
"Me and my friends spoke Welsh together at school, but we speak a mix of both Welsh and English when we're not at school. I think social media is responsible for that as English is the main language that is used there.
"We would be more willing to speak Welsh when using local services if those were better promoted. But overall, we're glad that we're able to speak Welsh and want to continue to do so."
Some of the report's key findings include:
· The general use of the Welsh language by children and young people outside school is limited
· Positive attitudes towards Welsh are evident among fluent Welsh speakers and those who learned Welsh at home, with the majority proud of their ability to speak Welsh
· The education system plays a key role in providing opportunities to learn and use Welsh
· Children and young people are more likely to use Welsh in sports activities, especially with coaches and leaders
· The use of Welsh when communicating online and on social media is limited, with the majority using English because it is easier and reaches a wider audience
A Welsh Government spokesperson says:
“The Welsh language belongs to us all and we are committed to reaching our target of doubling daily use of the language by 2050.
"We will do this by continuing to work across the Government and beyond to provide free Welsh language lessons to thousands of young people, sustain our Welsh-speaking communities, increase language use in all areas and contexts, and to develop Welsh language technology.”