BM88: Supporting Education in Minority Languages

Wales is often referred to as the land of the song, a nation famous for its language, musical heritage and culture. As the representative body of students across Europe, ESU recognises the importance of these matters to education and to the lives of young people. It is crucial that students and learners across Europe can access education and training in the language they are most familiar with, and that work is done to remove any barriers to enable individuals to do so. Learners in Wales are fortunate to have access to bilingual education, in Welsh and English, with Welsh language education compulsory to the age of 16. ESU recognises that access to bilingual provisions, or provisions in a native language is key to support an individual’s education and to enhance their learning.

The European Union recognises the importance of effective language learning and ESU believes that no students should be restricted from receiving education in the language most familiar to them. ESU also recognises the importance of using a common framework to assess language ability and welcomes the Welsh Government’s approach of adopting the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) as it develops new language rights in education. Having a common approach across the education sector is key to improving partnership working, sharing of information and supporting learners. 

ESU celebrates the rights of students in Wales to submit assessments in Welsh, to receive support in Welsh, and the many other rights enabled through the 

Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. In addition to rights in their own language, it is vital that learners are aware of their rights, and are able to make the most of them, celebrate them and share them with others. 

This responsibility is not only on the shoulders of HEIs but also that ESU recognises the vital role for Students’ Unions/Associations in protecting the rights of students. Students’ Unions are often the heart of the students’ experience while studying, and ESU recognises the important role that language plays in that experience. This not only refers to holding events and opportunities to socialise in a students’ native language, but also that there is adequate representation, academic representation, the means and resources to raise concerns and scrutinise in a language of their choosing.

ESU notes that this resolution is not only in relation to the Welsh language but also many other minority and native languages across the European Higher Education Area including, and not limited to Faroese, Gaeilge, Català, Galego, Euskera, Valencià, Occità, Saami, Maltese, Hungarian, Wallonian, Sorbian, Greenlandic, Romani, French Flemish, Low-German, Rumantsch and Luxembourgish. ESU believes that no student should be limited by local or national political reasons from receiving education through the medium of their native language, and the importance of access to learning other foreign languages.

Proposers: NUS UK

Seconders: USI, ANSA, CREUP