Budding citizens of a bilingual Wales in a multilingual world? Exploring the role of Early Years Education in the framework of the New Curriculum for

The project focuses on how the New Curriculum for Wales will be implemented in the Early Years sector. As it brings together language learning and teaching in a single Area of Learning and Experience, the Curriculum aims to create 'citizens of a bilingual Wales in a multilingual world' who are able to use Welsh, English and at least one international language, in line with the Welsh Government's 'Global Futures' strategy. A mixed-methods approach will be used to explore 1) what practices may effectively encourage young learners to develop as bilingual and multilingual speakers; and 2) what learnings may be drawn from the interplay between the linguistic and cultural identities of the diverse populations of modern Wales and its underrepresented groups. Appropriate training will be offered and ethical approval will be sought to ensure researcher safety and compliance with relevant policies and procedures.