Why did you decide to learn Welsh?
My mother's family are Welsh and I used to hear my great aunts, uncles and grandparents speak Welsh. But no one in my immediate family spoke it and I wanted to keep it going. As soon as I moved to Wales aged 14 it was something I wanted to do.
How have you chosen to learn Welsh?
I've tried several times. I went to night school during my O'levels, but I dropped out because it was too much work at the time. Then I started an Wlpan course when I was 24, but shortly afterwards I moved to Chester and had to give it up.
So I started Wlpan again last September and got a B in GSCE Welsh for learners.
What are the benefits for you to learn Welsh?
I feel like a new person. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but I feel I've gained something that was missing, something that I always yearned for.
Have you taken any formal Welsh exams?
GCSE Welsh, I got a B.
How much Welsh are you able to use on a day to day basis?
Hmmm, well, I live on my own so I've been trying to teach the dog, but he's getting a bit past it!
I live in Colwyn Bay so I don't hear quite as much Welsh as I would in other areas, but as soon as I do I grab the opportunity to practice what I know so far.
When living in England were you aware of the Welsh language?
I used to live in Staffordshire and I was always aware of the Welsh language because of my mother's side of the family.
If you could offer one piece of advice to a learner, what would it be?
Practise what you know so far. Get on with talking and don't worry about making mistakes.
What are your future thoughts on learning Welsh?
I'm going back next term to study for my A'level in Welsh for adults.
So hopefully I'm going to continue improving and gaining in confidence, not just in speaking Welsh but in myself too.
your comments
Mairead Owen
To Michelle from Liverpool. Is the Wirral too far away for you? Beginners classes at night school in Wirral Grammar School for Girls, Bebington, Wirral. Will be finishing for this year in a few weeks but will start again in September. Pob luc.
Mon May 11 10:03:05 2009
Michelle from Liverpool
Does anyone know of any courses close to Liverpool that would teach me basic Welsh?
Tue Mar 17 16:42:35 2009
Mary from Romford in Essex
Have just started my second term learning Welsh in London and it's just great! I passed my GCE as a teenager in Wales and have been in London for over 30 years. I, too, have always felt that something was missing in my life because I didn't speak Welsh. There are several English people in my class but the keenest student, even keener than myself, is from the U.S. If only we could encourage more non-Welsh speakers in Wales to take up the mantle. It would be fantastic for nearly everyone to be able to speak Welsh for a positive reason. I find it amazing to be studying the language again with English people and an American who are making the effort to learn it in London. Come on non-Welsh speakers in Wales, join us! Make Welsh the spoken language everywhere in Wales again! With just a little effort and persistence it could be. How just wonderful that would be!
Mon Jan 14 09:20:49 2008
Jake from Dolgarrog
Steve Evans, It's great that you are willing to learn the language, keep it up. You said Caernarfon has suddenly become a Welsh-speaking community, but Caernarfon has always had more than 90% Welsh speakers. Really nice to know that someone wants to learn the culture. Oh, and, when you're in a shop in Caernarfon, always ask for the price of something in Welsh, they will charge you less.
Mon Nov 12 10:09:27 2007
Monty Slocombe, Colwyn Bay
Over the years I have learned to speak passable Welsh. I felt it was an obligation on my part to speak it on moving here, and loved the project. However, I found that my biggest obstacle was initially, that most Welsh speakers would say something like "Oh, very good, your learning Welsh," then continue in English. Even now, when they detect my English accent, it's very difficult to keep the conversation in Welsh. If the language is to continue, more effort and enthusiasm must come from native Welsh speakers to share their language, and be proud of it. I also know many who understand, but never use the language, although their parents were Welsh speakers.
Wed Jun 20 12:04:06 2007
Angela, Tywyn
I think you should persevere learning Welsh. The more you learn, the more you understand. The more you understand, the more confident you are when speaking. Listening to the radio and S4C also gets easier the more you understand. Learning a language you can stop and then take it up again in later life, except the memory might not be quite so good!!
Wed Jun 6 10:57:34 2007
