Learn to speak Welsh

[Welsh Witch]

Hi there

I don't suppose you have heard of any good Welsh teachers in the Reading, Berkshire area, have you? Or have you heard recommendations of any good DVD/linguaphone type offerings?

I am an absolute beginner - but very determined!!   

Thanks

WW

[Jon Sais]

Hi
I'm not sure if these are close enough to your area, but you could try contacting the Chilterns Welsh Club ( see http://freespace.virgin.net/d.griffiths/ardal1.htm) or either the Chelmsford ( see http://www.geocities.com/cdwelshsociety/A-index.html ) or London Welsh Societies (see  http://www.londonwelsh.org/ ). The London people offer Welsh courses.
Failing that the BBC Wales website offers a course  of sorts with their Catchphrase website. Acen have some material as does the website for Clwb Malu Cachu. Don't be put off by the name it does have good learners notes. See also the Derby Welsh Learner's Circle Website for links to other groups. (http://www.derbywelshlearnerscircle.fusiveweb.co.uk/) We ar having a oneday school in September on a Saturday if that interests you.
Good luck.
Jonathan Simcock

[Phil Thomas]

Hi, I live in Wokingham and am a Welsh speaker, although it's been 8 years since I lived in Wales!

I think it would be a great idea to start a social gathering of people in the Reading area who either speak Welsh or want to learn Welsh. 

If I organised a meet up on a quiet night somewhere in Reading would there be any interest?

Thanks,
Phil.

[darfd]

Dw i'n dysgwyr a baswn i hoffi'r cyfle i ymarfer a gwella fy Nghymraeg i.  Dw i'n dod o Gogledd Cymru yn wreidiol ond dw i'n byw yn Wokingham ar hyn o bryd, ac yn nabod Phil yn eitha da!

I am a Welsh learner and would like to practise and improve my Welsh.  Therefore I would be very interested in a social gathering with like minded people. 

Anyone else interested in taking Phil up on his offer??!

[Jon Sais]

Its a bit far for me geographically, but if people can use Skype (  See  http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/download/skype/windows/) my skype name is jonathan_simcock and I am happy to speak Welsh with any first language speaker or learner. There are also a lot of video clips of Nottingham and Derby first language Welsh speakers and Welsh learners on my blog. See
http://canolbarth.blogspot.com/
best wishes
Jon Sais

[usksider]

Mi fasai'n wych i gwrdd a phobol yng Ngwm Tafwys i sariad Cymraeg.  Dw i'n nabod Wokingham eitha da er mod i'n arfer gweithio yno a dydy Reading mor bell o lawer.  Wallingford yw y dref dw i'n byw ynddi  - un peth diddorol am y dref - greiddiau yr enw yw 'Wealhs Ford' yn hen Saesneg, sef Rhyd y Cymry.  Felly, dan ni erioed wedi bod yn byw yn y fan hyn!  Mae na hefyd Noson Lawen yn 'Wally World' bob blwyddyn i ddathu Dewi Sant.  Hiraeth mawr fydd ar yr un wan jac ohonan ni ar y noson 'na, yn enwedig ar ol llwyddiant yn y rygbi!

On'd ydy byd y dysgwyr un fach, fach, fach!  Mi gwrddais efo Jon ddwywaith o'r blaen yn Ysgol Haf Harlech.  Lle o't ti'r llynadd was?  Mi fu lot o hwyl a chanu yn y Branwen fel arfer!

Felly, be amdani 'de Phil, Darfd a phwy bennag arall isio sariad yr iaith?

Pob hwyl

Andy

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Trans:

It would be great to meet people in the Thames Valley to speak Welsh.  I know Wokingham fairly well since I used to work there and Reading isn't too far.  I live in Wallingford.  An interesting thing about the town is that the origins of the name come from the old English 'Wealhs Ford', or Ford of the Welsh, therefore we have always lived here!  There is also an annual Noson Lawen in Wally World to celebrate St David's Day, when we all suffer 'hiraeth' especially after success in the rugby!

Isn't the Welsh learners' world a small one.  I've met Jon twice before on the summer school in Harlech.  Where were you last year mate?  There was lots of fun and singing in the Branwen as usual.

What about it then Phil, Darfd and anyone else who wants to speak the language.

Cheers

Andy

[prestonliz]

I would also like to learn....I live in Henley.......is it too late now - all of your messages are months ago!!
Liz

[GarethThomas]

I run a Welsh Class at Entrance Level at Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke

and on March 28th I have arranged ane day Welsh school for adults taking WJEC Welsh for Adults at Entrance Level

ring me on 01256 389414 if you are interested

Dydd Sadwrn Mawrth 28ain 
Saturday  March 28th 
10:00 to 4:00
Tiwtor a Siaradwr:

Margaret Roberts
gynt o Adran Gymraeg, Prifysgol Morgannwg
previously of the University of Glamorgan Welsh Department
ac
Ifan Roberts
cyn aelod o staff S4C, y BBC & HTV
Ex S4C, BBC & HTV producer.

Pris: £10 yr un heb fwyd
Bydd cinio ar gael am £5 yr un. (Rhaid archebu ymlaen llaw)   
Price: £10 for the day – without food
Lunch is available at £5 a head (Must be ordered in advance)

I archebu -  ffoniwch  01256 417517
To book – phone 01256 417517

neu am fwy o fanylion (a sgwrs yn yr iaith) ffoniwch Gareth Thomas (01256 389414)

[ajamesdeakin]

I am having a very difficult job trying to find Welsh classes or a Welsh Tutor in the Crawley West Sussex area.
If anyone knows of any please let me know.
Thanks,
Andrew James-Deakin

[Jon Sais]

Can't help you with a local tutor, but there are Welsh Societies around various towns where you will find Welsh speakers. Take a look at our site www.derbywelshlearnerscircle.blogspot.com to see links to these.
Also you might like to try using the free online course Say Something in Welsh http://www.saysomethingin.com/welsh
Pob lwc efo'r Gymraeg!
Jon Sais