Government invests €8.8m to boost Catalan language courses

The government is to invest €8.8 million in a new action plan to increase the number of Catalan language courses and places throughout Catalonia.

The executive plans to create 30,000 new places in Catalan classes, coordinated by the Consortium for Linguistic Normalization (CPNL) and supported by various entities and unions, according to public broadcaster TV3 and confirmed by the Catalan News Agency (ACN). 

The Minister for Language Policy, Francesc Xavier Vila, told TV3 that the measure will "eliminate" all waiting lists for Catalan courses.

The plan is the result of an agreement between pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and the Socialist government, reinforcing the desire to "promote the social use of Catalan," part of the deal signed by the two parties to elect Salvador Illa as president.

More teachers, timetable changes

In December, Vila expressed his intention to "revitalize" the CPNL, increasing their budget and staffing.

In a speech in parliament, the minister said that timetables should be adapted to better serve the needs of the public.

Two months on, and just one day after the results of a major survey revealing a decline in the number of people who use Catalan as their main language, Vila announced the action plan with an investment of €8.8 million to boost the CPNL and increase the number of available spots for learning Catalan.

The bulk of the total investment – €6.8 million of the €8.8 million – will be allocated to revitalizing the CPNL.

Additionally, a subsidy program will be created for local councils, other entities, and unions to run Catalan courses, with €1.5 million allocated.

The agreement also includes the creation of a new AI-driven app for self-learning Catalan, which will be funded with €500,000.

The plan includes hiring more teachers and extending the hours of current staff to offer more classes. Specifically, 131 teachers will transition to full-time positions, offering 1,128 courses, and 50 new teachers will be hired, enabling 500 more courses.

The plan also includes the creation of a new basic Catalan certificate, at beginner level (A1), as the Department of Social Rights estimates that 50,000 people need this accreditation.

Vila emphasized that the CPNL will "coordinate and supervise" the courses, and the government’s goal is to "eliminate waiting lists" for people who want to access language courses.

Catalan in the EU

Catalan president Salvador Illa and the President of the European Council, António Costa, are expected to discuss the official status of Catalan in the EU when they meet on Thursday. Vila said that progress is being made on the issue, but it "depends on all member states."

"In a meeting with just one representative, it won't be possible to make this change overnight," Vila admitted.