Gwynedd Council in North Wales has unveiled controversial plans to make Welsh the main language of instruction across all schools in the county.
The proposal would dramatically reduce English-language classes in favour of Welsh-medium education.
Under the council's scheme, secondary pupils would receive 70 per cent of their education in Welsh.
And primary school children would be particularly impacted, with all lessons delivered in the native language for pupils aged 11 and under.
Beach huts at Nefyn beach in Gwynedd, north-west Wales.
PA
The plans have sparked heated debate among local residents and education unions, with supporters praising the bilingual approach while critics warn it could harm children's education.
Education unions have criticised the council's proposal, claiming it will worsen an existing recruitment crisis.
Critics have also accused Welsh councillors of being "zealots" in pushing forward with the plan.
However, Councillor Dewi Jones, who holds the education portfolio, defended the approach.
"The current emphasis is on bilingual learning but we're moving towards a system of Welsh-medium education," he said.
"Of course not all schools are at the same stage of the process and they will be ready to offer these changes at different points."
Many local residents have expressed support for the council's plans.
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GETTYSocial worker Alaw Williams, 23, told MailOnline: "I think it's a good idea and I disagree that it is all down to Welsh zealots."
"I had all my lessons in Welsh all through school and it hasn't held me back," she added.
Father-of-two Aled Jones, 68, whose grandson speaks Welsh, also backed the proposal.
"My daughter was just taught in Welsh at school. It worked as she got a job," he said.
"Being bi-lingual is a really important skill to have," Williams noted.
However, others have strongly criticised the move.
Mother-of-one Anne Williams, 66, said: "It seems a backward step. It will harm children's education for sure."
One primary school teacher, who did not want to be named, called it "a terrible idea" and "crazy decision."
"A lot of kids don't speak fluent Welsh in my school where it is due to come in," the teacher added.
Megan Owen, 34, was particularly critical: "It's madness - a stupid idea dreamt up by Welsh nationalists. You shouldn't force kids to learn just in Welsh. It will hold children back."
According to the 2021 census, 76.3 per cent of Gwynedd's population can speak and understand Welsh.
This is significantly higher than the national average across Wales, where just 17.8 per cent of the population speak Welsh.
The language divide has become politically charged, with Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, weighing in on the debate.
Millar has accused those behind the plans of being "linguistic zealots".
Some residents have suggested the policy is motivated by anti-English sentiment rather than educational benefits.
Despite the controversy, Gwynedd Council appears committed to implementing the changes.
"We are in Wales - you should be able to speak Welsh and have lessons in Welsh," said Alaw Williams.
She added that people are often "surprised how much Welsh is spoken in Wales."
