Learning Welsh
You and your Child
The vast majority of children in schools in Wales are given the chance to learn Welsh whether they attend a Welsh medium school or not. If you are one of the many parents, grandparents or carers who'd like to learn some Welsh so as to help a child you'll find a tick box on the response form at the back of this pack which will allow you to send off for information. If you are considering sending your child to a Welsh medium nursery or school or would like more information about the opportunities in your area and the benefits you can also use the form at the back of the booklet.
Learning as an Adult
There are four main approaches to learning Welsh. You don't have to keep to one. Most successful learners 'pick and mix' what is best for them at any stage in their studies.
Intensive Courses
These are held at venues through Wales and can vary from twice a week to almost full time study! Most courses offer two, three or four sessions a week - either during the day or in the evening. Following an intensive course can be a wonderful way of making progress and gaining confidence quickly. The courses, however, are demanding and many students find that it is handy to have followed a less intensive course or followed an on-line or multi-media course before hand - just to get a head start.
Once a Week Classes, One-day and Weekend Courses
These are, again, available all over Wales and many learners have found them to be very successful. They have both the advantage and disadvantage of moving at a fairly slow pace. It is, unfortunately, easy to lose motivation if you are only having contact with the language once a week. It can also take time each week to 'tune in' to the language again. There are, of course, ways of increasing contact hours and getting more practice even if you can't or don't want to attend classes more than once a week. Many areas offer regular one day courses - usually on a Saturday. Some also hold full weekend courses.
TV, radio, on-line courses and multi-media materials can offer other good opportunities to increase contact hours with the language.
Welsh in the Workplace
More and more employers in both large public bodies and small local companies are now offering Welsh in the Workplace courses. Until recently a Welsh in the Workplace course has simply been a general course held during work hours or partly during work hours - in the workplace. This approach has proved effective as many staff members have too many commitments outside the office or are simply too tired by the time they get home in the evening to think about going out to a night class. Recently, Welsh in the Workplace courses have 'come of age'. Good providers now work with the employer to look at what the body or company really need their staff to be able to do and tailor-make courses for them.
On-line, Distance and Multi-media Courses
These are highly popular now in Wales. Three quarters of all Welsh learners have access to the Internet and can follow video, audio and text based courses on-line. Some also make use of chat rooms and personal mentors. As the technology gets better and better this will be an important part of the provision in the future. TV, radio, video, DVD, cassette and CD based courses are also available.
Many students find the Welsh at 12 slot every weekday morning at mid-day on S4C digital, useful as it offers programmes for learners at all levels and parents with young children.
Students do, of course need contact with Welsh speakers and other learners as they progress. Summer and residential schools, the activities of CYD - the movement which brings learners and Welsh speakers together, and of course, the one day and weekend courses all help in this respect. Three magazines are available for Welsh learners.