S’mae Ffrindiau!

Learning Welsh can sometimes feel like a huge task andI know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed. That’s why, during classes, I often encourage my learners to step away from the coursebooks, folders and dictionaries now and again, and instead look for ways to practice that take just five minutes.

Yes, really – dim ond pum munud!
Whether the kettle’s boiling, you’re waiting for the oven to preheat, or there’s an advert break on the telly, you can Grow Your Welsh in the little pockets of time that are already part of your day. Here are some of my favourite ways to do just that:

📝 Learn five words

Growing your Welsh vocabulary is a brilliant way to make progress in small steps. Pick five words – maybe from your coursebook, a dictionary, or something you’ve been reading – and jot them down. You could use a post-it note, a small vocab notebook, or an index card. Check out my Ko-Fi page for loads of ideas – I post new Welsh words every day!

Next time you’ve got a quiet moment, practice saying the words aloud, writing them down, or trying to use them in a sentence. Little by little, it adds up.

☎️ Phone a friend (for five minutes of Welsh!)

If you’re learning Welsh with others, through a class, a group, or even online friends, try setting up a quick five-minute phone or video chat where you speak only in Welsh.

Even beginners can start with a simple “Shwmae? Sut wyt ti?” or chat about the weather. The aim isn’t to impress or push yourself with difficult grammar, it’s to get used to hearing and speaking Welsh as a normal part of life. Not sure what to talk about? Why not download my free Siarad am Funud activity sheet to get you started?

✍️ Write everything you can remember in five minutes!

This one’s always a hit in my classes. Set a timer and write down every Welsh word, phrase, or sentence you can think of. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar – just get it down on paper.

You can stick to a topic if you like (food, days of the week, colours, animals…), or just let your brain wander freely. Learners are often amazed at how much they do know when they give it a try.

📚 Read for five minutes

If you’re someone who loves reading in English, switching to Welsh can feel daunting, especially when you’re reaching for the dictionary every other word.

Here’s my top tip: choose something short and readable, and give yourself permission not to understand everything. Read for five minutes without stopping. If you spot unfamiliar words, jot them down and check them after you’ve finished reading.

Bonus tip? Read aloud. You’ll get pronunciation practice at the same time and start to feel the rhythm of the language in your mouth and ears.

🎲 Play my Welsh Dice Game!

I’ve made a quick and easy dice game you can use to practice speaking and vocab in just five minutes. It’s simple, fun, and perfect for solo learners or small groups. You can find it Dice Game – Free Welsh Printable!

However busy life gets, there’s always time for pum munud o Gymraeg. These little bursts of practice can help you build confidence, enjoy the language, and stay connected to your learning journey, un paned ar y tro!

Let me which of these you choose!

cariad