Welsh language for families takes pride of place on Eisteddfod field
With an initiative launched aimed at encouraging families to learn Welsh together, and the Children’s Poet Laureate confirmed, there was lots for Katie Gupwell to report on during day two at the Maes
Anew partnership launched at the Urdd National Eisteddfod will encourage families to learn Welsh together.
Nursery movement Mudiad Meithrin has teamed up with the National Centre for Learning Welsh to help more families learn the language.
The initiative, launched yesterday, is set to increase opportunities for Welsh learners.
Up to 20,000 children across the country attend Mudiad Meithrin groups, and the majority come from non-Welsh-speaking families.
The scheme aims to target these families by supplying them with tools and resources to learn the language.
Efa Gruffudd Jones, chief executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: “One of the centre’s objectives is to form exciting and innovative partnerships that will lead to an increase in the number of people learning and using Welsh, and this partnership with Mudiad Meithrin is one such example.
“Where better to launch this new partnership than on the Eisteddfod field, where families can come together to enjoy a lively Welsh atmosphere?”
As part of the scheme, Welsh for the family language courses have been held in Flintshire and Wrexham.
The centre is also supporting Mudiad Meithrin’s tour across Wales, reaching around 8,000 families.
This week taster sessions are also being held at the Urdd Eisteddfod festival.
Chief executive of Mudiad Meithrin Dr Gwenllian Lansdown Davies said: “We are very excited about the new partnership between Mudiad Meithrin and the National Centre for Learning Welsh.
“We will work together to promote Welsh-language courses to the nonWelsh-speaking parents of children in our services.
“This is an important part of supporting the Welsh Government’s goal of having a million Welshspeakers by the year 2050.”
One person always keen to promote the Welsh language is Paralympic athlete Aled Sion Davies.
One of the Eisteddfod’s Guest Presidents yesterday, he is currently preparing for the World ParaAthletics Championships.
“Speaking Welsh is very important to me – when I’m asked to do interviews, I always ask to do the Welsh ones first,” he said.
“I love Wales, and I’m proud that we have our own language.
“This is my home town – where I was born and bred – but I must admit my Welsh gets a little rusty when I travel.”
The London 2012 gold medal-winner added: “It’s a massive honour to be here. “This is such a big event in Wales. “It’s amazing that so many things, and talents, are being showcased here today.
“I think Bridgend has really embraced the event – it’s great to see so many people from the area here.”
Aled was joined by Professor Laura McAllister CBE, who acted as Co-President of the day.
The professor of public policy and governance of Wales at Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre specialises in devolution, Welsh politics and elections, as well as gender