Want to learn Welsh? Rhodri Trefor the Arts Council’s Learning Welsh coordinator has put together a suite of opportunities for you to learn Welsh, whether you’re a beginner, or just need an opportunity to practice your Welsh or boost your confidence. Please take a look below and then contact Rhodri by e-mail to set up a further discussion.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FREELANCERS

Fast Track course

Would you like to learn Welsh from scratch and hold a conversation within a year? You might want to consider the ‘fast track’ scheme.

This begins with a week’s residence at Canolfan Iaith Genedlaethol Nant Gwrtheyrn, Llŷn and it is followed by a 60 hour course of self-study with the support of the Arts Council’s tutor, Rhodri Trefor.

The course is free to you, and we will also pay for your time during your periods at Nant Gwrtheyrn.

For further information please contact Rhodri.trefor@celf.cymru

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND ARTS ORGANISATIONS IN WALES

Self Study Courses

Want to learn Welsh? Why not take the opportunity to attend the Entry or Foundation course free of charge. These are courses on which you can learn at your own pace without any pressure. There will be a few assignments to do with occasional revision sessions with the tutor. But the tutor can be flexible to your needs and will be on hand to help you along the way. A great opportunity for organisations to improve workplace skills and offer freelancers an invaluable skill.

  • Entry course: At the end of this course, you will be able to understand simple language patterns including present, past, and future tenses, and everyday words and phrases.
  • Foundation course: At the end of this course, you will be able to confidently discuss present, past and future tenses.  You will be able to discuss topics such as friends, family, work, and hobbies.
     

A great opportunity to learn at your own pace, without any pressure, from the comfort of your home or office.  

For further information please contact Rhodri.trefor@celf.cymru

Cymraeg Courses

These are traditional learning pattern courses being offered by the Arts Council tutor – 2 hours a week during normal working hours (9-5).

Worried about time? Having to miss sessions? Work dedication makes it difficult at times?  No problem. Of course, we expect dedication and hard work. But, working in the arts we understand how difficult it can be sometimes. So, we'll support you with "Catch up" sessions.
 

Not sure of your level? We can assess you and advise.

For further information please contact Rhodri.trefor@celf.cymru

Confidence Building

Speak Welsh? Lost confidence to use it? No chance to practice it? No one speaks Welsh at work? We can help.

Contact us! A good way to engage and other companions in the Arts.  Share your concerns. We can tailor fun Courses for you. A good opportunity to practice and have fun at the same time. 

It will be tutor led for 2 hours over 10 sessions. And we can do sessions relevant to your field e.g. scripting, artwork, discussion of literature...  We’re open to   all suggestions!
 

For further information please contact Rhodri.trefor@celf.cymru

Sessions to practice Speaking Welsh

Would you like to practice your Welsh over a coffee? Schedule a weekly time with another partner to have an informal conversation and put the world in its place?  This is the opportunity for you to get better and to get to know someone new.

Welsh speakers: Would you like to contribute to helping Welsh learners become more confident and fluent in Welsh? This can only be a good thing for improving and reinforcing the Arts in Wales. We and the learners would be extremely grateful to have your support and you’ll also be contributing directly to realizing the goal of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
 

For further information please contact Rhodri.trefor@celf.cymru

The National Centre for Learning Welsh is responsible for the Welsh language learning sector. The Centre supports and encourages everyone who wants to learn Welsh.

Listed below are the different options available to employers and employees who want to learn Welsh.
 

Online Taster Courses and Online Taster Courses +

  • 20 hours of general taster courses and a choice of 8 specific courses
  • Provision of regular employee activity reports for the employer
  • Tailored resources with downloadable content and audio clips

Webinar

Tailored 'live' sessions of up to an hour including:

  • A Tutor Taster Lesson for up to 50 staff
  • A presentation on the Work Welsh Programme
  • A session on Welsh in the Workplace - the Work Welsh employer support programme

Tutor-Supported Online Courses

  • Access to the equivalent of 60 hours of Welsh language learning
  • Tutor support available to answer questions, set homework etc.
  • An Employer Support Pack containing advice and information on using Welsh in the workplace.
     

To register your interest in the above courses click here and a member of the Work Welsh team will contact you.

There are also a number of mainstream courses available within your community. These are courses that run both during term-time and also as intensive learning courses. Browse all the courses which are available community-wide across Wales here. Additionally, there are over a thousand online resources available to support the mainstream courses. These are all available for free here.


 

Other resources for learners

The Learn Welsh Level Checker

This is a tool which can help learners determine their existing skill levels for listening, speaking, reading and writing in Welsh. It is possible to use the Level Checker again after a three month period, in order to measure and evaluate progress.

Say Something in Welsh (SSIW)

SSIW is a course which helps people speak and understand Welsh through audio lessons. The Induction Course contains over twenty short lessons and exercises. These are available free of charge to all registrants.

The National Centre for Learning Welsh and SSIW have also recently formed a partnership. As a result, learners will be able to benefit from a discount on courses run by both providers.

Duolingo

Duolingo is an online programme that helps you learn Welsh by playing language games. These condensed lessons are perfect for learners are shoer on time but want to make progress with their learning.

'Siarad (Talk)' scheme

'Siarad' is a scheme by the National Centre for Learning Welsh which supports learners by providing them with an opportunity to speak more Welsh on a regular basis and in a real-life context. Language learners are matched with Welsh-speaking volunteers.

 

Digital software

Here is a list of useful resources to support staff who use Welsh at work.

Cysgliad (spell checking software) 

Cysgliad is made up of two different programmes: Cysill is a Welsh language grammar and spelling checker. Cysgeir is a collection of dictionaries.

Microsoft in Welsh

You can download Microsoft's Welsh interface and use other software programmes such as Word in Welsh.

To bach

To bach makes it easy to type a letter with a circumflex (such as â, ô, ŵ or ŷ) when typing in Welsh.

 

Other apps

Ap Treiglo (mutation app)

This is a useful app which indicates when a letter needs to be mutated (changed).  It helps users gain confidence in using mutations. Get it on Apple or Android.

Ap Geiriaduron (dictionaries app)

his is a dictionary which gives noun genders and multiple word forms. Download it on Apple or Android.

LiteratIM (Android keyboard)

This is a very useful predictive text keyboard which works when you send a message or email. Here's a video explaining how to install it on your phone.

Changing the Facebook language setting to Welsh

Click here to see a video demonstrating how to change the language setting on Facebook.