Where to begin?

General guidance for parents and carers who are eager to support and develop the Welsh language skills of their children outside school can be found by selecting the link below.

You might also find this video clip for parents and carers of Welsh medium learners who do not speak Welsh at home helpful too. It's from Professor Enlli Thomas from Bangor University.

If you'd like to know more about Professor Thomas's studies regarding ways of using, retaining and re-energising language skills, selected reading is available here:

Urdd Gobaith Cymru

The Urdd provides opportunities through the medium of Welsh for children and young people in Wales to become fully rounded individuals, developing personal and social skills that will enable them to make a positive contribution to the community. You can learn more about the extensive and varied programme of activities the Urdd arranges here.

The Urdd in Gwent

The Urdd's Gwent network includes Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen and offers a range of exciting activities for all ages – from sports, eisteddfodau, local trips, trips abroad, residential centers and lots more! Take a look at what's on offer here:

IAW

The Urdd produces IAW which is a digital, contemporary bi-monthly magazine for secondary Welsh learners up to GCSE age. The magazine is free during 2020-2021. Sign up here to receive a copy in your inbox!

Cymraeg Bob Dydd

Though primarily targeted at secondary age learners in English medium schools, some content of the Urdd's Cymraeg Bob Dydd initiative could be useful. Find out more below - including details about joining the Urdd to access the materials:

Time to relax?

If you don’t speak Welsh at home, reassure your chid that they can still enjoy watching TV programmes and listening to music with you. There have been some fantastic crossover dramas on S4C such as Bang and Un Bore Mercher. Why not watch in Welsh and use the subtitles? Lots of the content of S4C is available on Clic or BBC iPlayer.

If you are interested in sporting events S4C regularly screen international rugby and football events in Welsh that are only available to S4C audiences free of charge. And for fans of cycling, Tour de France and Giro D’Italia are featured on S4C. Have a look what's on S4C here:

Wales has a vibrant culture and you might enjoy listening to some Welsh music whilst washing the dishes or relaxing. Why not check out the playlists on Spotify?

AM is a one-stop culture shop which includes various channels - music, drama, books and festivals ... Check out what's on offer here:

Variety is ...

Extensive on-line provision is available to support the use of Welsh outside school. Take a look at this extensive compendium of live links to websites and apps including current affairs, music, magazines and keep fit! Remember to select the Key Stage relevant to your child.

Support for more formal educational activities

The bilingual documents here were designed as aids for parents and carers who are eager to support the development of their child's literacy skills. They also include a variety of activities suitable for learners in Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11).

BBC Bitesize

The BBC has a library of teaching and learning resources to support learners in a variety of subjects in KS3 and KS4. This link will take you to the BBC Bitesize gateway where you can select the appropriate key stage and subject for your child.

For learners at Key Stage 4 who are preparing for their GCSE qualifications, remember to keep an eye on the WJEC website for Qualifications where current information, examples of previous examination papers, etc.

Another rich source of support for teaching and learning activities is the WJEC resource website which can be accessed here:

Finally in this section, you may find this guide to homework, kindly shared by Carmarthenshire County Council, useful:

Beyond school?

You've already made a significant investment in your child's bilingual journey. That journey no longer has to end when school days end. The ability to speak Welsh has become increasingly desirable in many careers in recent years, including those such as Medicine and Law, where it was previously considered irrelevant. This pamphlet from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol is a very useful starting point to discover more about opportunities to continue to study through the medium of Welsh after school ...

There is a wealth of information and a very valuable resource bank on the website of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Take a look here ...

What about you?

You may want to try to learn Welsh. You might have learnt Welsh at school and are interested in revisiting the language.

If you are considering your own Welsh language journey, here are some useful sources of information that might help you. Whatever your level, there are options for you.

Click on the underlined blue text in section below to discover more about the opportunities available to help you on your own bilingual journey.

The National Centre for Learning Welsh provides a suite of language learning options at five different levels: Entry, Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced and Proficiency. The centre offers locally available language learning classes through 11 centres nationally. Learn Welsh Gwent provides courses in Caerphilly, Torfaen, Newport, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire with a successful shift to more online provision in recent times. Click on the link for local information and promotions. Find your new course.

Have a go at some of their informal 10 minute Mini Lessons for beginners. Enjoy!

Should you be interested in Welsh in the Workplace taster sessions, there are a range of options including online taster courses offered free of charge . These are bespoke workplace Welsh courses developed for sectors including education, health, social care, tourism and retail.

Just for fun!

Duolingo promotes language learning through game-like experiences and is a popular way of learning Welsh informally. Visit the Duolingo website and choose Welsh or download the App.

No rules no fuss!

SaySomethingInWelsh is a free online course that focuses on helping people learn to speak and understand Welsh. It avoids complicated grammar rules and reading / writing. It is available via website and App platforms.

Encouraging your children to speak Welsh socially will help them develop their confidence and fluency.

Confidence boost?

Know some Welsh but lack confidence? There's a whole range of technological tools to support language development and accuracy. Here are a few!

Cysill

Online spelling and grammar checker. Type or paste text into the box and it will instantly check your work. Click the link to give it a try!

Cysgliad

This software package which checks Welsh spelling and grammar has been released as a free download thanks to a partnership between Bangor University and the Welsh Government. Click the link to give it a try!

Y Termiadur Addysg

Sponsored by the the Welsh Government, this resource provides standardised terminology for the field of education. These are the terms to be used in resources of all kinds for teachers and students as well as in Welsh medium exams. Click below to give it a go!

English <> Welsh Dictionary

Don't forget about the impressive Ap Geiriaduron dictionary app. Once downloaded onto your device, you do not need a web link to use this comprehensive English >< Welsh dictionary.

The app will give access to a wealth of information in your pocket. It includes the general dictionary Cysgair as well as the standard terminology dictionaries for Welsh schools and further education colleges. See the link below!

Mutations

We all question ourselves about the Treiglad Meddal, Treiglad Trwynol a'r Treiglad Llaes sometimes. This app can help you! More information is available through the link below ...

To bach (^)?

If a vowel requires a 'to bach' (^), this software is available free of charge and makes placing a circumflex accent in Welsh words very easy. By using the Alt Gr key it is possible to place a 'to bach (^)' on all the Welsh vowels â, ê, î, ô, û, ŵ and ŷ. Follow the link for more information ...

And finally ...

Remember that Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office are available in Welsh. Check them out here ...

Looking for further information?

Staff at your child's school are very eager to support you on your bilingual journey. Speak to them ... They're waiting to help.

There are three Welsh medium secondary schools in the EAS region:

Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni

Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed

Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw