As part of the partnership between the Urdd and the National Centre for Learning Welsh, a new project has been developed to introduce the Welsh language to young people using the organisation’s Outdoor Activity Service.
The project breaks new ground by offering a Welsh taster course to pupils and students aged 16-18 as part of their activities with the Outdoor Service.
The Outdoor Service works with sixth form colleges, schools and youth services to offer outdoor activities and experiences, including Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions, canoeing, mountain biking and climbing.
Young people can now take part in Learn Welsh training while working with the Service. Training includes a self-study online module that covers pronunciation, Welsh greetings and phrases and sentences useful to outdoor activities.
The young people will complete the module before attending the outdoor activity, where instructors and activity leaders will reinforce what has been learned online.
This is the latest development in the partnership between the Centre and the Urdd. A Learn Welsh tutor is already based with the organisation, delivering Entry level courses for beginners and providing support with language confidence-building.
The partnership is part of the Centre’s wider provision for young people, which is available free of charge to this age group, and includes a wide range of courses at different learning levels.
Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said,
“We’re very proud of this latest project with the Urdd, which offers a unique opportunity for young people to start learning the language in a field they’re interested in.
“Seeking creative opportunities to introduce Welsh to the younger generation is an important part of our work, and the response to the project, so far, has been very positive.
“Once the young people have complete the module, there are further opportunities for them to join our Learn Welsh courses.”
According to Siôn Lloyd, Manager of the Urdd Outdoor Activity Service,
“The course has had a very positive response so far, and the young people enjoy using new words and terms that are relevant to them.
“We see a difference after students complete the online module, as learning the basics can have a big impact – such as being able to pronounce the name of a mountain or lake, being able to greet in Welsh or understanding a simple instruction.”
Cardiff and Vale College is among the colleges to take part in the project. The College collaborates with the Urdd to offer NVQ Level 2 and 3 Sports Leadership courses.
Alun Jones, a lecturer at Cardiff and Vale College, explains,
“A high percentage of our students are non-Welsh speakers, and it’s great to work with the Urdd and the National Centre, because every session is delivered bilingually, which normalises the language among our students.
“The session which introduced outdoor vocabulary was great, starting with very simple elements such as pronunciation. Then, moving on to learning terms that will be useful to them during their sessions with the Urdd, and also in the future if they choose to work in the outdoor activity sector in Wales.”
