Pronunciation and dialect
Care must be taken to ensure that learners’ confidence in their linguistic ability allows them to understand what the residents of northwest Wales are saying in Welsh and emulate that dialect. Dialect is introduced mainly by ensuring that the pronunciation used by the tutor when introducing vocabulary is consistent with what is heard in local communities. This can be seen mainly by pronouncing a number of diphthongs as monophthongs, for example – gwybod – gwbod, chwarae – chwara.
Local vocabulary is also introduced, such as ‘hercan’ for ‘haircut’.
Learners praise the fact that they are introduced to the language of the community.
Extra-curricular sessions
Using the Welsh language outside the classroom is a key step in order for learners to gain the confidence to use it in the community. The lockdown period was challenging in terms of being able to provide opportunities for learners to try out their language in extra-curricular sessions.
In order to provide learners with an element of normality, a number of online sessions were provided for learners, including a number of beneficial sessions e.g.
- Cuppa and chat
- Reading Club
- Gardening Club
- Quiz
- Dysgwyr Dwyfor Summer Festival (with writing competitions etc)
During spring and summer 2021, some events were also able to be held to support learners face-to‑face e.g.
- Walks
- Cuppa and chat in a cafe
Reading clubs
Reading Welsh reinforces the development of oral language. Learners encounter new vocabulary, see it in context and become more familiar with Welsh syntax. When planning the programme for 2020-21, it was seen that learners needed more contact with the Welsh language. A series of virtual clubs was planned at all levels, to run for short periods.
Nine reading clubs were provided in the autumn term, all of which were filled almost immediately and a further 14 clubs were provided in January. During 2020-21, 346 learners enrolled on these reading clubs.
A designated team of tutors is responsible for running the reading clubs and for sharing electronic resources and ideas among the staff.
Sharing good practice
Tutors share good practice in terms of teaching and learning in area fora that are held each term, in addition to through online tutor meetings in which there are discussion groups for each level.
