S’mae ffrindiau!
When I started to dysgu Cymraeg in the late 1990s, there was very little available online to help. I relied on Usborne’s Welsh for Beginners and a Collins Welsh Dictionary. Nowadays there is so much more out there and so I’ve pulled together my Top Eight Best Websites for Welsh Learners. Try them out and let me know what you think!
1. Parallel.Cymru
Parallel.Cymru is an online bilingual magazine which is beautifully presented with content from writers, learners, teachers and more. While it is no longer updated with regular content, there is a huge archive of material to help learners and more confident speakers.
There are articles about music, books, interviews as well as help with grammar and language. Check out the Geiriadur i Ddysgwyr for an easy to view list of over 1600 common words and phrases. Or look at the Ask Dr Gramadeg page for some great articles by Mark Stonelake – author of a number of coursebooks for Welsh learners.
2. Cysgliad
Cysgliad is a set of software tools to help Welsh speakers and learners check grammar and spelling.
There are two programs in the suite and one, Cysill, helps to identify and correct language errors in your Welsh-language documents. It can identify mistyping, misspelling and grammatical errors, including incorrect mutations! In addition to suggesting corrections when needed, the program explains the nature of grammar mistakes when encountered, so as to help you avoid making the same mistake again.
Cysill also includes a mouseover dictionary, which shows the translation of words when hovered over. It also has a thesaurus which helps you find different words with similar meanings – a perfect way to improve your vocabulary!
3. BBC
The BBC is a great place to look when you’re learning Welsh. The BBC website gives you access to Welsh language programming including content for children and learners, as well as Welsh language radio programmes on their BBC Sounds app. TV programmes have subtitles in both Welsh and English so you can get a bit of extra help if you need it.
You can also read the news in Welsh at bbc.com/cymru and find articles about local interest stories or download a Welsh language podcast.
In the past, the BBC have created several Welsh learning resources and while these are now archived, you may still find useful bits in the old Catchphrase, Colin & Cumberland and Welsh at Home courses.
4. LearnWelsh.Cymru
The hub for Welsh learners, the LearnWelsh website has a search function where you can look up courses in your area and online. There are resources for parents and carers, people who need to use Welsh in work and those who’d like to learn Welsh but who don’t have English as a first language. There are lots of free resources, but I sometimes find this website a bit tricky to navigate. Take a look though and let me know what you think!
5. Learn Welsh Podcast
The Learn Welsh podcast has lots of Welsh lessons created by Jason Shepherd who himself has learned Welsh. There are premium membership options as well as free lessons and it’s a great way to learn Welsh at your own pace.
6. S4C Dysgu Cymraeg
S4C is a Welsh language television channel broadcasting unique content through the medium of Welsh. There is drama, documentary, news, soaps, music and lifestyle content all highlighting the Welsh language and the culture of Welsh speaking Wales. Their learners’ content can be found here: S4C Dysgu Cymraeg
7. Books Council of Wales
The Books Council of Wales is an organisation where you can find out everything that’s going on in the world of Welsh publishing. There is help specifically for learners of Welsh with their special Amdani series of books. These are carefully graded books covering a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction topics.
8. Say Something in Welsh
I have taught loads of people to speak Welsh who got started with Say Something In Welsh.https://www.saysomethingin.com/en/ With a strong focus on listening and speaking skills, this is a great way to learn if you enjoy that approach. There are lots of courses as well as a vibrant forum where you can ask questions of other learners and tutors.
9. Tyfu Cymraeg!
The list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include my own Tyfu Cymraeg! I created this site to help learners with resources, courses, one to one lessons and access to a friendly tutor. If you would like to get involved with more of what’s going on here, why not become a Ffrind or a member of the Tyfu Cymraeg Learners’ Club here: Tyfu Cymraeg on Ko-Fi.
I hope you found something useful on this list of my top eight (nine!) websites for Welsh learners. Leave a comment and let me know which ones you use or another that I haven’t mentioned here.
Hwyl am y tro!
