Postgraduate Certificate Course in Language Policy and Planning returns to UWTSD

The refreshed Postgraduate Certificate course in Language Policy and Planning is returning to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in September.

The Certificate takes advantage of the rich linguistic experience offered by the bilingual context of Wales, as well as the recognised expertise of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

This innovative qualification is in response to the Welsh Government’s linguistic agenda of reaching 1 million Welsh speakers by the year 2050. It offers an element of academic study, deepening understanding of the major concepts in the field nationally and internationally and provides contemporary and necessary information along with applied experience.

This certificate will appeal to graduates working in language planning within Welsh public institutions or third sector organisations in the community such as language officers, language planners, Government officers, policymakers and youth workers. It will also provide a solid foundation for graduate students wishing to develop a career involving bilingualism or multilingualism and enable them to apply core principles, together with knowledge, understanding and subject-based skills.

Individuals are offered the opportunity to apply their learning to their experience and their own work. A further quality of this certificate is that it attracts individuals from various occupations who offer broad and contemporary perspectives. This is an opportunity for individuals to develop professionally and build confidence in their workplaces in an area that is expanding and becoming increasingly strategically important.

Certificate Manager Kara Lewis said:

“Occupational expertise in linguistic planning is needed to realise the Government’s vision of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050. To promote the Welsh language, and promote linguistic equality within the public sector, the private sector, education and more, an understanding of effective, practical, and powerful strategies is needed. This is a professional qualification that combines contemporary practical activity with the theoretical academic foundations of this increasingly important field.”

The course takes advantage of blended learning methods allowing access to individuals across the country. It offers a combination of international guest speakers, seminars and tutorials, reading work, and a fieldwork-based portfolio. Those already working in the field can base the portfolio on their current work.

Elin Maher, who has benefited from the qualification, said:

“Without doubt, this is the professional training that changed the course of my career. Having qualified as a French teacher at the beginning of my career and having taught as a secondary and primary teacher, stepping into community development with Menter Iaith Casnewydd was life-changing and eye-opening. Working in the community promoting the Welsh language in an area such as Newport, I was learning about the situation of the Welsh language, its decline, and the excitement of seeing its recovery. I had to find professional training that would give the background, the depth of understanding from different linguistic and social contexts globally to enrich the local working. 

“Learning about language recovery frameworks and getting the chance to see them being implemented was a very valuable experience. I was also able to improve the understanding of those around me at work and what steps to take next as a result of studying the modules of this certificate. Without doubt, the content is broad and highly interesting, the teaching is inclusive and full of opportunities to discuss, debate and make lifelong friends, both lecturers and fellow students.”

The major social and political developments from the perspective of language planning in Wales during the last fifty years are discussed and the way public organisations in Wales promote the Welsh language, what motivates them and what processes and principles are engaged with are looked at. How the use of the Welsh language is promoted by Welsh speaking individuals and communities, by official agencies and others is also looked at.

Despite its relevance to the Welsh context, this certificate has an international focus that can be used for the benefit of the situation nationally. Speakers from the Basque Country and Brittany are invited to offer a broader international context.

Former student of the certificate Catrin Llwyd, who is now researching her innovative doctoral project in language planning added:

“I had been working in language planning for years but felt that there was no suitable language planning training available to give confidence and an academic basis to my work. The Certificate was a great opportunity to learn from experts, and to reflect on my everyday work. As a former student of the Certificate, it will be nice to be able to contribute to the teaching this time.”

Further Information

Lowri Thomas

Principal Communications and PR Officer   
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07449 998476