Languages in action – the National Assembly’s theme at this year’s National Eisteddfod

03 August 2012

The way we speak and use languages will be on the agenda at a series of meetings arranged by the National Assembly for Wales at this year’s National Eisteddfod in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The National Assembly for Wales will host a session entitled ‘Welsh learners in the Workplace’ at the Societies Pavilion on Monday 6 August.

Chaired by the National Assembly’s Welsh tutor, Sian Jones, the event will discuss how the Welsh language can be used in the workplace and will include contributions from the National Assembly’s Commissioner with responsibility for the Welsh language, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM and Gareth Kiff, tutor at the Welsh for Adults Centre.

On Friday 10 August, the National Assembly will host a partnership event with the British Council. The first Language Rich Europe workshop in Wales will include a discussion and panel debate on the benefits of bilingualism and how these can inform the debate on multilingualism in Europe.

Language Rich Europe is a project aimed at creating a new interdisciplinary network of European decision makers to share knowledge and good practice in multilingualism.

In addition, the National Assembly’s Outreach Bus will be on the maes offering a wealth of interesting activities aimed at getting more people involved in the law-making process in Wales.

One of the highlights will be a ‘Members’ Wall’ where visitors will be able to search for their Assembly Member on a large map of Wales and leave a message on an issue of their choice.

It could be a local issue or a suggestion for a new Welsh law. The information will then be fed back to the Member in question.

This initiative echoes the theme of the Assembly’s photographic competition, ‘Democracy in Action’ which is aimed at encouraging amateur and professional photographers to submit images that reflect Wales during this exciting period in the history of Welsh devolution.