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Relationship between education in the Welsh medium and self-esteem for primary Cymraeg and English speakers

Richard Jones Orcid Logo, Irene Reppa Orcid Logo, Phil Reed Orcid Logo

Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, Pages: 1 - 11

Swansea University Authors: Irene Reppa Orcid Logo, Phil Reed Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1080/01434632.2024.2405230

Abstract

ObjectivesOf relevance to minority ethno-linguistic groups is the association between self-esteem and proficiency in their heritage language. The current study explored whether self-esteem of Cymraeg (Welsh) speaking pupils in Welsh/Bilingual-medium schools was higher than Cymraeg-speaking pupils in...

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Published in: Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development
ISSN: 0143-4632 1747-7557
Published: Informa UK Limited 2024
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67654
Abstract: ObjectivesOf relevance to minority ethno-linguistic groups is the association between self-esteem and proficiency in their heritage language. The current study explored whether self-esteem of Cymraeg (Welsh) speaking pupils in Welsh/Bilingual-medium schools was higher than Cymraeg-speaking pupils in English-medium schools.Methods1,709 pupils from Welsh/Bilingual and English-medium schools in Wales completed the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Scores were analysed as a function of their primary language (language they use most often) and the linguistic medium of their school.ResultsRelative to primary-English speakers (pupils using English most) attending Welsh/Bilingual-medium schools, primary-Cymraeg speakers (pupils using Cymraeg most) attending Welsh/Bilingual-medium schools recorded higher self-esteem scores. There was no difference in self-esteem between speakers of different languages attending English-medium schools. Primary-English speakers attending English-medium schools recorded higher levels of self-esteem relative to primary-English speakers attending Welsh/Bilingual-medium schools. There was no difference in self-esteem between primary-Cymraeg speakers attending Welsh/Bilingual and English-medium schools. Longitudinal analysis suggests self-esteem increased for primary-Cymraeg speakers attending Welsh/Bilingual medium schools only, but pupils educated in their non-primary language demonstrated a decrease in self-esteem.ConclusionThe results suggest care is needed when allocating pupils to schools, as language of the school and the pupil’s primary language interact in determining self-esteem over time.
Keywords: Self-esteem; Welsh language; Cymraeg; Welsh-medium education; cultural identity
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Start Page: 1
End Page: 11

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