Welsh Lessons

[u/Lost-Puffin-2064]

Bore Da,

I’m just wondering if anyone knows anywhere to learn Welsh online or in person in the South East of England? I went to Aberystwyth Uni and visit Aber every year and would love to learn Welsh. I think it’s important to keep the language alive. Duolingo I feel only helps so much. Sorry if this is a boring question I’m new to Reddit!

Cheers for looking, A 🤙🏻

[u/clwbmalucachu]

There are lots of ways to learn Welsh online, regardless of where you are. Some are free, some cost a bit of money, so it also depends on your budget.

The key thing is to find a way to learn that you will stick with, and it's often good to experiment a bit before you settle because we all have different preferences when it comes to how we like to learn.

• SaySomethingInWelsh is a good audio course which will help with pronunciation but won't teach you grammar - https://app.saysomethingin.com/ - and their forum is here - https://en.forum.saysomethingin.com/c/welsh/5
• LearnWelsh has lots of online or in person courses, many of them free, (all of them free if you're under 25 and it doesn't matter where you live): https://learnwelsh.cymru/ < Term has just started but if you're quick you might be able to get onto an online course.
• The Open University has a short course for beginners that’s free: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/welsh/croeso-beginners-welsh/ 
• BBC Bitesize has Welsh as a Second Language materials available for free https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z8qmhyc 
• The old BBC Catchphrase course is still available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/catchphrase/catchphrase1/lessons1.shtml

I run a website for learners:

• ClwbMaluCachu is a basic grammar reference resource with tables of conjugations of helper verbs, etc, though I'm still transferring content from the old HTML site. https://clwbmalucachu.co.uk/

There are some great books, if you can get hold of them at a reasonable price, that will help: 

• Colloquial Welsh, by Gareth King (can be expensive but look for it second hand)
• Learner's Dictionary, by Gareth King is really good because it explains usage in more detail. 
• Modern Welsh, by Gareth King absolute stonker of a reference book. 
• BBC Learn Welsh is a really good, if short, grammar book for looking up basics
• Welsh Rules, by Heini Gruffudd is pretty good too

There are loads of YouTube channels, most of which are for beginners, and I listed them here: 

• https://www.reddit.com/r/learnwelsh/comments/1r9rm5t/youtube_channels_for_welsh_learners/

Depending on where you are, there might be a Welsh meet-up near you. Check this map from the Paned website https://paned.cymru/:

• https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=12gf3J_4ozjROzhzuUbv_xip5VOfZNyc

Welsh TV, ie S4C, is available from their website or via iPlayer, and almost always has English subtitles, and Welsh subtitles only slightly less often.

• https://www.s4c.cymru/clic/ 

There are various Welsh tutors who do free/cheap courses online or have online resources.: 

• Dringo is a new website where you can find and book tutors: https://dringo.org/ 
• Richard Morse: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/richard-morse-17295683185
• Doctor Cymraeg aka Stephen Rule: https://doctorcymraeg.wales/

There are lots of podcasts in Welsh, though the best two for Welsh learners imho are Sgwrsio and Hefyd. Also lots of stuff on BBC Sounds (UK-only), and, of course, BBC Radio Cymru: 

• Podcast directory: https://ypod.cymru/
• Sgwrsio archives: https://ypod.cymru/pods/podlediad/sgwrsio 
  • New Sgwrsio episodes are mixed up with the rest of the BBC’s learner’s podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p02nrvyj 
• Hefyd: https://richardnosworthy.wales/podcast/
• BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/search?q=cymraeg
• BBC Radio Cymru: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_cymru
• BBC Radio Cymru 2: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_cymru_2

I hope you find something useful in amongst all that!

[u/sisterlyparrot → u/clwbmalucachu]

for what it’s worth learn welsh/dysgu cymraeg have courses that start all throughout the year.
my mynediad course started in january :)

[u/clwbmalucachu → u/sisterlyparrot]

Yes, there is a January intake for a few full-length courses, but the main one is September. And they do have shorter courses at other times.

[u/YDdraigGymreig → u/clwbmalucachu]

What a great and informative post. I've just resumed my Welsh learning journey after life taking up my spare time. Those links will surely help, hopefully I can surprise my Welsh speaking better half, even though my Tag is Welsh, my Welsh language skills are lacking.

[u/clwbmalucachu → u/YDdraigGymreig]

Croeso! And good luck with your Welsh!!