Bangor University ARFer project is keen to attract mor users after an initial successful testing phase for a phone app that facilitates the use of Welsh in the workplace. The aim of the ARFer app is to make the process of speaking Welsh in the workplace fun for those that don’t use the language currently. By setting targets and challenges for users, the aim is to allow users to increase their use of Welsh step by step.
The methodology that underpins the app is derived from behavioural change techniques and the project has been partly inspired by the work of Soziolinguistika Klusterra in the Basque Country. At the heart of the project there two key principles firmly rooted in the theory of behavioural change. The are:
- Committing to a particular behaviour;
- Taking advantage of the significant influence that defaults can have on behaviour.
The project has been funded by the Welsh Government since 2019. A successful application to the ARFOR II Challenge Fund ensured that the project had funding to develop a bespoke app in partnership with Galactig, one of Rondo’s subsidiaries, who specialise in developing software. This provided the opportunity to put into practice the fundamental principles of the project in way that is both accessible and able to be utilised widely.
The purpose of the app isn’t to teach Welsh to individuals but rather to provide a framework for assisting staff in workplaces to use more Welsh whatever their ability. Elements which ‘gameify’ the experience of using the app through setting targets and achievements, providing a competitive element to using Welsh have proven popular with initial users, with many saying that the competitive element specifically has helped encourage them to use more Welsh in the workplace.
After a testing period that has seen positive results, the project team are keen to increase the numbers so that more workplaces can be a part of the project and strengthen the understanding of supporting the use of Welsh from day to day. A significant update to the app is underway that will allow more organisations and people to take part and to improve the way that people can register and use the app.
The project team – Dr Lowri Hughes, Dr Arwel Williams and Dr Shân Pritchard from Canolfan Bedwyr, Bangor University – are keen to see as many people as possible using ARFer and increasing their use of Welsh in the workplace. Dr Arwel Williams said:
“The app has the potential to teach us a lot about language use patterns and we are keen to have as man people as possible to take part in the project so that we learn how best to support the use of Welsh in workplaces from day to day.”
To learn more about the project, or to see what you and your workplace can take part, follow this link to ARFer’s web page or e-mail Arwel at arwel.williams@bangor.ac.uk.
