THE way Welsh is taught as a second language in English-speaking schools in Wales is to be overhauled.

In a letter to Welsh language society Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, First Minister Carwyn Jones said a ‘continuum’ approach should be taken to the language, making it part of pupil’s everyday lives rather than confined to specific lessons.

This follows a Welsh Government-commissioned study by Professor Sioned Davies of Cardiff University published in September 2013 in which she said: “It is undeniably the eleventh hour for Welsh second language (...) a change of direction is urgently required before it is too late."

In the letter Mr Jones said he and education minister Huw Lewis both agreed the system – through which Welsh language exams sat in English and bilingual schools are easier than those sat by pupils in Welsh-speaking schools – needed to be changed.

"We are of the opinion that the concept of "Welsh as a second language" creates an artificial difference,” he said.

“We are not of the view that it offers a useful basis for making policies for the future.”

Mr Jones continued that anyone who uses the language should consider themselves Welsh speakers, regardless of ability.

“As we move forward, we must move away from the concept of ‘second language’ towards a co-ordinated and integrated consideration of the Welsh language as a genuinely living language,” he said.

“Naturally, challenges will arise as we develop the new curriculum for Wales which satisfies our ambitions, but the Welsh Government is completely committed to this approach."

Calling the current system “second rate”, chairwoman of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg's education group Toni Schiavone welcomed Mr Jones’ commitment to change.

“The system of second language Welsh is failing the vast majority of our young people, although there are examples of teachers working miracles within the present failed system,” she said.

“Every single pupil should leave school with the ability to communicate and work in Welsh.

“One way of doing that is to abolish the second-rate, second language, path which exists at the moment.”

She also called on schools and education bodies to take action rather than maintaining the current system.

“We believe we need to move to a system, like they have in the Basque Country, where schools either teach the whole of the curriculum or a substantial part of it through the medium of Welsh,” she said.

General secretary of Welsh teachers trade union UCAC Elaine Edwards also welcomed the move away from distinctions between a first and second language.

"It has been clear for quite some time that the model of Welsh first language on the one hand and Welsh as a second language on the other is ineffective,” she said.

“The truth is that is has held back children and young people's linguistic development, and has prevented them from fulfilling their full potential.”