Using the Welsh language: purposeful and unique extra-curricular activities that support learners to speak Welsh increasingly spontaneously on the Nant site and in the local community
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Information about the provider
Residential courses are Nant Gwrtheyrn’s speciality and these courses take place for periods of 3 or 5 days at a time. Nant Gwrtheyrn also provides a few virtual 3- or 5-day courses. Nant Gwrtheyrn has unique and purposeful courses for an intensive learning experience from Taster level to Proficiency. During 2022-23, the mainstream at Nant Gwrtheyrn provided 452 individual learning experiences to 411 individual learners. The centre also runs the Use Work Welsh scheme. During the most recent year of the scheme, there were 332 individual learning experiences on 35 courses.
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
A residential period at Nant Gwrtheyrn combines formal learning sessions in the classroom with extra-curricular experiences to increase learners’ skills.
The extra-curricular programme includes evening entertainment or activities and specific trips on Wednesday afternoons. These elements are an important part of the wider learning experiences at Nant Gwrtheyrn and an opportunity for learners to experiment with their new skills outside the classroom. Before any visit or entertainment session, learners have a preparation session in the classroom to equip them to do their best and put their Welsh skills into practice.
The type of entertainment and trip is decided based on the learners’ level, but also their interests. As Nant Gwrtheyrn holds telephone conversations with learners before they visit the site, we have a great deal of information about them before we welcome them here. This means that we are able to organise an activity that is suitable and of interest and likely to spark their imagination.
Description of the nature of the strategy or activity
The whole purpose of the Wednesday afternoon trips is to give learners an opportunity to use the Welsh language in a real environment. An example of this is visiting a Welsh book shop in a nearby town and supporting learners to ask the owner a question in Welsh. For many at the lower levels, this is the first time they have used the Welsh language independently. There are examples of others purchasing a Welsh book for the first time or buying a cup of tea through the medium of Welsh. This is a very big step for several learners and is something they feel very proud of doing.
The location of all of the trips has been chosen carefully and we support the individuals who work there to support the learners appropriately. This means that it is very unlikely that a learner will have a difficult or uncomfortable experience. They are supported and encouraged to use the Welsh language. For many learners, this is a turning point in their language journey.
We encourage learners to visit Tafarn y Fic during their week with us. This public house, which is very local to Nant Gwrtheyrn, is an important partner for us and provides a natural Welsh environment. This is an opportunity for learners to relax in the company of Welsh speakers, join in with the weekly quiz or watch a game of football. Very recently, we have seen examples where learners have joined a local choir practise and another has offered to provide accompaniment because the accompanist was ill. These experiences are very important for learners as they feel part of the wider Welsh-speaking community.
For the Cymraeg Gwaith groups, trips to prominent Welsh-medium workplaces are important. Visiting locations such as Galeri Caernarfon and Cwmni Da television company has provided an opportunity for learners to see the Welsh language in a workplace context and those contexts are modern and exciting ones that are thriving. Creating this positive image of language use is crucial in encouraging language use.
Overall, we have many examples of places to visit, such as Pant Du Vineyard, Cwrw Llŷn, Llŷn Maritime Museum, Porth y Swnt centre, Glyn-y-Weddw Arts Centre, Poblado Coffi, to name but a few. Through this fantastic collection of partners, we are able to provide a range of experiences for learners who choose to return to Nant Gwrtheyrn time after time.
Similarly, the entertainment that is arranged for learners is also influential. Provision is extensive and responsive to the group’s requirements, for example when organising a Noson Lawen for a group of arts workers who were with us on an Access Course. None of the group had performed through the medium of Welsh before, so there was a fair amount of nerves and preparation. Tutors supported learners to prepare items e.g. recitation pieces, song lyrics, readings etc. One group performed the Urdd’s Message of Peace and Goodwill. At the end of the night, everyone was delighted and the feeling of achievement was obvious. The remainder of the week was full of energy and enthusiasm towards learning in the classroom.
Prominent people from the Welsh rock scene also join us on a weekly basis to entertain. This is an opportunity for learners to see contemporary Welsh culture in practice and get a glimpse of the new opportunities that are available to them through their new language. Characters like Meinir Gwilym also open the door to Welsh music and television, such as ‘Garddio a Mwy’.
The preparation that takes place before a visit/entertainment is crucial to learners’ enjoyment. If they are properly equipped e.g. with appropriate vocabulary, suitable questions and background information, they are able to make the most of the opportunity to use the Welsh language with the full support of their fellow learners and their tutor.
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?
This type of work means that, as a provider, we provide a Welsh-medium experience for our learners which draws them closer to living through the medium of Welsh. Giving them a taste of what it available to them in their new language (with the support of a tutor) is a way of opening the door and supporting them to step through it.
It also means that each residential week is dynamic and lively and responsive to the needs of learners. That, in turn, creates attractive provision that is likely to attract learners back but also encourage them to create opportunities to use the Welsh language themselves – it breaks the ice.