Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Leads the Way in Bilingual Teaching Development Across Wales

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, in partnership with Adult Learning Wales, Coleg Gwent, Bridgend College, Coleg y Cymoedd, and Merthyr Tydfil College, has led the groundbreaking bilingual teaching project that is helping to shape the future of Welsh-language education across Wales.

The new resources, launched today, are targeted at lecturers across Wales in the fields of Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, and Hair & Beauty. They represent the culmination of several years of collaborative work through the Professional Learning Fund (PLF). These handbooks are designed to boost confidence in bilingual teaching, even for those who are not fluent Welsh speakers.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, a recognised leader in bilingual education, has been at the forefront of driving bilingualism in Wales' further education sector. As the project lead, the institution is a key player in supporting the Welsh Government's ambitious target of achieving 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050.

“We are incredibly proud of the progress made through this initiative,” said Angharad Roberts, Director of Bilingualism at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. “This project has been a beacon of collaboration and innovation, empowering educators across Wales to integrate Welsh into their teaching practices. We are excited about the positive impact the manuals will have on our educators, learners, and the Welsh language community as a whole.”

Michelle Kerswell, Head of Curriculum & Quality for Adult Learning Wales, said,

'Adult Learning Wales is delighted to be invited to and join today's launch event. The PLF Collaborative Project, led by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, has enabled our organisations to work collaboratively on a critical aspect of work in support of Cymraeg 2050.

“The collaboration has provided our delivery staff with a range of contextualised resources to help support their bilingual practice in an adult learning context. This event is another example of the legacy of the Project and what can be achieved from working in partnership and sharing practices, and we're incredibly proud to be a part of it.'

Arwel Rees-Taylor, Bilingual Development Manager for Coleg Gwent, said,

“Coleg Gwent is proud to have been part of this important collaborative initiative, led by GLLM. The PLF project has enabled us to further develop our bilingual teaching approaches in a way that genuinely supports both our staff and learners. By sharing expertise and creating practical resources, we have been able to build staff confidence in using more Welsh in their classrooms. This work clearly demonstrates the power of collaborating across institutions to achieve meaningful and lasting impact. The project has fostered a growing community of practice, and we look forward to seeing its continued impact across the sector.”

The past five years have also seen the creation of 13 e-learning courses to enhance pedagogical skills and language awareness, and a dedicated residential course at Glan Llyn and exchange opportunities for staff to share best practices have also been implemented.

Aled Jones-Griffith, Chief Executive of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, explained,

“This work has had a profound impact on the way educators approach bilingual teaching. Tutors have reported increased confidence in using Welsh with their students, a shift in how they plan and deliver lessons, and a growing culture of collaboration and sharing best practices across institutions.

The impact of this project is already being felt across the sector. Through the collaborative network, educators have built lasting relationships, and the resources developed will continue to support teaching staff long after the project’s official end”.

Find out more about Sgiliaith and the resources available, here: gllm.ac.uk/sgiliaith