Rant: I hate studying Welsh, and wish it was optional

Sorry but today I've had it up to here today and want to let of some steam.

For context I'm very noticeably Indian. Name, skin etc. As are my parents. Born over there but moved to Wales since I was 1 bc parents work in Welsh NHS. Speak English & French at home.

Bc Wales, have to learn Welsh. Been doing this since I was 4, and still got 1 more year to bloody go. Was speaking to the family in Manchester about how they got to do 4 options and really tailor the GCSE they're studying to help them get their dream job. I'm taking triple science, french & geography and I WISHED I could've taken Spanish as a 4th option. But no. I don't get 4 options, because Welsh is so important, it is mandatory.

Why the hell do I have to study this? Like, I'm not even remotely Welsh. Nor are my mates, my family or my community I live in. So IDGAF about the Welsh culture bc I'm not part of it, I'm sorry. I know there are benefits from being bilingual which is why my dad pushed for me to learn french and speak French, and I do want to be bilingual or better so am taking this at GCSE. The welsh teachers keep saying that there are new jobs which require welsh but to me that seems like the government is artificially making welsh important. Like yeah there are new jobs which you must speak Welsh for, but the gov are the ones who made it like that and push for that. It just seems like a cheap cop out.

I am fully aware there are communities in the North/West where welsh is the dominant language and it makes sense to teach them that, fair enough. But why not make Welsh second language an optional GCSE then, and give us an extra option slot? That way, anyone who lives in a community where Welsh is a dominant language can study it and not loose out on something else but those of us who dont care for it can learn something that makes us better prepared for our future jobs? I thought that was the whole purpose of options? To allow me to choose things to study which will help.

Idk man its just hella frustrating right now, and there are times where I wish I was born a couple miles across the Severn Bridge.

Rant over

Reply 1

Zarek

Embrace the heritage of the country you reside in. Appreciate that language learning skills are valuable and transferable. Study Spanish at an evening class

Reply 2

Getting1tDone

Original post

by Zarek

Embrace the heritage of the country you reside in. Appreciate that language learning skills are valuable and transferable. Study Spanish at an evening class

That 'culture' has had those who are actually Welsh take the **** out of me for not measuring up as Welsh enough for their liking. Soz, but I'd rather embrace a culture that doesn't treat me like trash because I take a greater interest in my own culture than that of the nation my parents emigrated me to.