Advantages of Welsh medium education

Welsh medium education has many advantages. 

Education

The educational advantages of Welsh medium education are:

• most young children learn languages easier than adults
• bilingual children tend to perform better academically
• bilingual people find it easier to learn other languages
• children who follow a Welsh medium education do as well, or better, in English as those who follow an English medium education

Evidence:

• English in key stages 2 and 3 (external website)
• The benefits of bilingual learning (external website)

Careers

A Welsh medium education is helpful for careers because:

• the ability to speak Welsh is essential for a growing number of jobs
• speaking two languages is an impressive skill to include on job applications
• on average, bilingual people tend to be higher earners

Evidence: Welsh speakers 'more likely to get top qualifications and jobs'

Health

Research shows that speaking two or more languages is beneficial to a person’s mental health.

Evidence: Delaying the onset of Alzheimer disease (external website)

Life

Welsh medium education can help throughout life because:

• being able to speak Welsh expands a person’s cultural understanding and historical knowledge of Wales
• being able to speak Welsh strengthens the feeling of belonging and identity
• being able to change from one language to another inspires confidence and pride

Evidence:The Advantages of Bilingualism in Welsh and English' (external website)