A 55-year-old warehouse worker from Caerphilly has a new lease on life after learning Welsh as a second language through adult learner courses.
Father of four Jonathan Brown who works at Chemical Corporation (UK) Ltd in Bedwas, has attended classes to learn Welsh for eight years and has developed a passion for learning the language. Although he never enjoyed academics at school, Jonathan decided to go to a course open evening and has been learning Welsh ever since. He is currently following a Hyfedredd (Proficiency) course at Gartholwg Lifelong Learning.
In the run up to Adult Learners Week, taking place from 25 June – 1 July, Jonathan is supporting The Welsh Government’s Skills Gateway for adults. This is an inclusive service that provides adults with careers information, support, advice and guidance on how to improve their skills and employability.
Jonathan said: “I was never very academic at school, so going on a course to learn Welsh was a big step for me. I work as a warehouseman and grew up in the area without having any Welsh speakers around me.
“As my youngest children Michael, 17, Rhiannon, 16, and Hannah, 14, grew up, I really wanted them to be able to speak Welsh. It was a conscious decision to send them to Ysgol y Castell and Ysgol Cwm Rhymni, as they are Welsh-medium schools, and it’s given them so many opportunities as a result.
“My son Michael is part of Adran Bro Taf group that compete at the Urdd Eisteddfod and the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol every year and takes part in competitions like the clog dancing and folk dancing. That’s something that he wouldn’t have had the chance to take part in if he didn’t speak Welsh or attend a Welsh-medium school.
“Learning Welsh has changed my life as well and has opened so many doors for me. I go to the Eisteddfod every year and I volunteer as a steward. I’m also a member of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, and go to Welsh gigs and productions a few times a month and watch S4C and listen to Radio Cymru all the time.
Jonathan first found out about the Welsh language course on the internet and decided to attend an open evening in Caerphilly to see what the classes were like before signing up.
He continued: “I found the classes really useful. We would do things like listen to Welsh audio and have discussions as a group, which made it feel like a little community within the course. I’ve made some really close friends within the group and every month we compete at a Welsh quiz in Cardiff. We’re also encouraged to watch television and read novels in Welsh so we can expand on what we learn in class.
“I’m very lucky to have had some amazing tutors over the years, and I’m so grateful for their patience. They’ve played such a huge part in the process, and without their help and hard work I would have the confidence that I have now to go out and speak Welsh. My advice to anyone looking to learn Welsh is that you shouldn’t be afraid and just have a go. The first step is always the hardest, but you need to stick with it, even when it gets really hard. It can be nerve-wracking speaking to a fluent Welsh speaker to begin with, but practice makes perfect and the more you work at it, the better you will become. Learning Welsh has changed me for the better as a person, and through learning the language and meeting new people I’ve done things I never knew I could do. It’s opened so many doors for me.”
Everyone can get involved with Adult Learners’ Week by joining a free learners’ event in their area on anything from first aid to digital photography. Unemployed adults can also access free face-to-face guidance support at careers centres and outreach venues across Wales.
Adult Learners’ Week is running from June 25-1 July and celebrates lifelong learning, whether work-based, as part of a community education course, at college, university or online. Adult Learners’ Week is in its 25th year and aims to promote a range of courses available to adult learners.
For more information on Adult Learners’ Week in Wales, go to:
www.careerswales.com/en/skills-gateway/
