Surge in adult learners boosts Welsh language revival efforts, but long-term challenges remain

“It’s like a switch turned on while I was at uni… I was thinking that I’d missed out on something.”

Winning a place at University of Oxford prompted Charlotte Staniforth to reassess her identity and relationship with the Welsh language, highlighting a broader trend among young professionals rediscovering linguistic heritage.

Staniforth, 28, said her time at Oxford heightened her awareness of being Welsh, particularly as one of only two Welsh students in her college. “People would ask if I spoke Welsh, and I’d have to say no,” she said, describing a growing sense that she had missed an important cultural connection.

After graduating, Staniforth returned to Cardiff shortly before the outbreak of COVID-19 and began learning Welsh through online classes. Her progress led to recognition as a finalist at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 2024, and she now teaches the language to other adults.

“I found the classes for adults an amazing experience,” she said. “I made such good friends, I learned about Welsh culture, I discovered new bands and books, a new world. I wanted to give back.”Her experience reflects a wider increase in adult engagement with the language.

New data from Y Canolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol shows the number of adult learners has risen by 12% over the past year, surpassing 20,000 for the first time.The growth comes amid ongoing concerns about the long-term vitality of Welsh.

A recent report from the Welsh language commissioner found that while the number of speakers has remained broadly stable over decades, it has not kept pace with population growth, increasing the language’s vulnerability. Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones has previously said that “bold and transformative” action will be required to meet the Welsh government’s target of reaching one million speakers by 2050.

Dona Lewis, chief executive of Dysgu Cymraeg, said the organisation had seen sustained demand since its establishment in 2016. “We are really pleased with the numbers; the statistics show consistent growth,” she said, adding that the programme has a significant role to play in supporting the language’s future.

Participation has increased steadily, with enrolment up 61% since the 2017-18 academic year. Workplace-based learning has been a key driver, accounting for nearly 40% of participants, particularly within public sector institutions such as the National Health Service and police forces.Younger learners are also contributing to the rise.

The number of participants aged 16 to 24 increased by 56% in the 2024-25 academic year compared with the previous year. The share of learners identifying as coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds has also grown modestly, reaching 5%.For some, the resurgence reflects a broader cultural shift.

Scott Gutteridge, a 29-year-old actor based in London who grew up in Llanelli, said interest in the language appeared to be strengthening. “It’s a fantastic time to start learning Welsh because there are so many resources available,” he said.

“It seems like a fire that’s burning again.”Gutteridge’s interest in Welsh developed while working on a bilingual production of Romeo and Juliet by Theatr Cymru.

He began studying in the evenings and applying his learning in professional settings. While he noted challenges with regional dialects, he said learners are generally encouraged to experiment and engage.“Sometimes it was difficult with dialects, but you just start somewhere,” he said.

“People are so happy you’re trying and giving it a go.”Both Gutteridge and Staniforth said adult learning environments offered a more engaging experience than compulsory Welsh lessons in school.

Gutteridge described a residential course at Nant Gwrtheyrn, a Welsh language heritage centre, as “magical,” highlighting the role of immersive environments in sustaining learner motivation.The demographic profile of learners is also expanding.

According to Staniforth, participants increasingly include individuals from outside Wales, including people from England and Scotland with family connections to Welsh-medium education, as well as learners from eastern Europe, Asia, and further afield joining online courses from countries such as the United States and Australia.

Despite the upward trend, challenges remain. Staniforth pointed to what she described as a structural gap between school-based and adult language learning. “Considerably more kids go to English than Welsh school, and there’s not enough focus on them,” she said, noting that early exposure and sustained engagement are critical to language retention.

She also emphasised the importance of motivation and community in language learning. “If you learn a language you have to want to do it,” she said.

“Learning Welsh has to be enjoyable, because finding and creating a community, that’s what keeps the language alive.”